MyParkinsonsTeam

It's completely understandable that this feels scary — for both of you. The concern is valid, and the neurologist is right to flag it. Anesthesia can trigger hallucinations or delusions in people with Parkinson's, and this is something the surgical and neurology teams need to plan for together carefully.

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It's completely understandable that this feels scary — for both of you. The concern is valid, and the neurologist is right to flag it. Anesthesia can trigger hallucinations or delusions in people with Parkinson's, and this is something the surgical and neurology teams need to plan for together carefully.

Between 20% and 40% of people with Parkinson's experience hallucinations or delusions at some point. Anesthesia, hospital stays, and the stress of surgery can all act as triggers — similar to delirium, which comes on quickly and is linked to medical events rather than the disease itself. Here are some important steps to consider before moving forward:

- Have a team conversation — Make sure the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and neurologist are all communicating with each other about his Parkinson's
- Review his current medications — Some Parkinson's medications like levodopa and dopamine agonists can contribute to hallucinations, and dosing during/after surgery needs careful management
- Ask about anesthesia type — Some surgical teams prefer regional anesthesia (like a spinal block) over general anesthesia for Parkinson's patients when possible, to reduce cognitive side effects
- Plan for post-surgery monitoring — Having a familiar caregiver present during recovery can help ground someone if confusion occurs
- Know that if hallucinations do occur, they can often be managed — Medication adjustments after surgery can help resolve them A MyParkinsonsTeam member shared that once they sat down with the neurologist and started asking the right questions, they finally got answers and found real solutions — and their loved one went from nearly needing 24-hour care back to living independently.

The fear is real, but so is the hope. Going in informed and with a coordinated care team makes a big difference.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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