Comments on: Hallucinating reality’s wallpaper

By: Jena Snyder

Jena Snyder — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:48:20 +0000

At 82, Dad had inner ear problems that affected his balance, was weak, and had a tremor in his hands. He also had terrible teeth, and was constantly “chewing,” for lack of a better word. That and the fact that Dad’s father had had PD (I still remember my grandfather’s characteristic “pill-rolling” tremor) convinced the doctor. He ordered a neuro consult and prescribed dopamine. The sad part was that while Dad was hallucinating, he felt as if he really could see again.

By: pops

pops — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:36:33 +0000

I hope I acquire the full text on that. Interesting whether or not this occurred with dopaminergic medication, as in the case Jena describes above.
I’d also like to hear more about the picture she drew; I hope that’s in the paper as well. I think Oliver Sacks has remarked on how drawings by those afflicted with PD tend to be very simple, blocky, unelaborated …. again, unless dopaminergic medication is doing something.
Jena, what did your father end up having if you don’t mind saying?

By: Jena Snyder

Jena Snyder — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:53:27 +0000

Oddly enough, my blind father began having background scenery VHs when his doctor put him a particular medication for Parkinson’s. He claimed he could “clearly” see trees, a cowboy riding by on a horse, birds, my brother’s red plaid shirt, and children climbing on the furniture. As soon as he was taken off the meds, the hallucinations went away. Tests later determined he didn’t have PD.