@ggopher Hi Steve: It's been awhile since we have heard from you. How are you doing? Is the Sinemet with the carbonated beverage still working well for you? Have you started any new exercise programs? Check in with us when you have time and let us know how you are doing. Teresa

Ho @hopefol. I do use the brief for my hubby as well as the urinal at night. Doc says his kidney and all is good. Right now he is back in assisted living as I have been in the hospital since Saturday. Kidney infection that went into sepsis. Improving and hope to go home tomorrow. Doc says I need a week or so to heal and get my energy back before I bring him home. Hope things are going well for youn

Thanks for checking in with us, @tntredhead. I am sorry to hear that you have been sick, sepsis is a serious matter. I hope that you will have some help when your husband returns home. I am doing well, thanks for asking. Please take care and be well. I'm copying the other members of our group so that they can see your update and wish you well. @chrisj2491 @denie57 @johnjames @trouble4343 @ggopher @aperob @caryp43 @burgle @macbeth @knightkris @IndianaScott Teresa

Teresa, I'm interested in Parkinson's because that was the long-term diagnosis for my brother, who died a month ago. I must emphasize, however, that in his final days, neurology serious questioned whether he had Parkinson's or a similar, more widely damaging multi-system degeneration. As my sister-in-law shares information on this with me, I'll pass it along.
Martin

@predictable Thanks, Martin. Sounds good. Teresa

@predictable. I'm sorry to hear of your brother's death, Martin. Yes, there are a lot of Parkinson's disorders that are not the same as "typical" Parkinson's disease, (we don't all look and act like Michael Fox, etc.). and many are difficult to diagnose. My neurologist told me that when doctors suspect Parkinson's they try a Parkinson's med and if that decreases symptoms, they make a Parkinson's diagnosis. It could be that your brother had PD with some other degenerative disease as well. We look forward to learning more of your brother's story with a Parkinson's-like disorder, as you feel comfortable sharing it with us. My sympathies to you and your sister-in-law as you grieve this loss. Teresa

Hi Theresa

Been off the grid awhile. We decided it was time to start on our bucket list so we took a 16 day Panama Canal trip, 1 day travel and an overnight stay at each end. Also told the kids in person. They handled it pretty well, son stoic and daughter just a little weepy. I feel bad for them. Canal isn't especially special - no drama which is the point of digging it -so that ships can routinely make the transit safely. Took 4 bus and walking tours in Costa Rica and Mexico, saw some whales. I was dead tired each day and napped a lot but I did better than I would have thought. Went with my best friend and his wife and she is a nurse so she kept me from overdoing. Last day my wife and I both got flu and sinus/upper respiratory infections so that made s tough 2 day trip home - and a BIG on-board medical bill. This time of year all the kids are in school so most of the passengers move a bit slower and understand when I was tired or the boat moved and I had to move slower or hang onto something. Only problem is that everyone in bikinis was my age - 70's. Oh well didn't have to suck in my food-bump.

Lessons
Panama Canal trip probably isn't worth the cost - take a couple shorter trips
With proper planning, I can do more than I thought
If not now, when?

The Parkinson's Foundation go-bag is like a small Dopp kit and has a silver medical alert PD bracelet, laminated wallet drug interactions fold-over card, other info and ads. If I don't wear the bracelet I have it in my pocket to alert EMT's and the card lives in my wallet and I keep backup pills in the kit in case of evacuation for fire or whatever. The card can also be downloaded from their website.

By the way, Walgreens has really small sealing envelopes by the pill bottles perfect for keeping the day's pills or backup pills dry in your pocket in the rain or if you get splashed by a whale.

Walk 2 miles on the treadmill 3 times a week and spend 30 minutes or so on weight machines.
Go to monthly PD group meetings at my neurologist's hospital.
The Sinemet with caffeinated soda seems to work well when I have changes in my schedule and need to compress the pill/protein time. Or I get busy and forget.
Doctor limited me to one drink a day, no red wine and I skipped most of those. Bummer.

The Azilect doesn't seem to have any food interactions with my normal diet as had concerned me.

Steve

@ggopher Hi Steve, it is good to hear from you. Thanks for the travel update, sounds like a lovely trip - I'm sorry to hear of the upper respiratory problem, though. I'm glad that you are making some progress on your bucket list.

Wow, I'm very impressed with your walking/exercise routine, that is great. Exercise helps with balance, range of motion and also helps stave off depression and anxiety. I'm also glad to hear that the Azliect is working well for you without any undue complications. From what you have written it sounds as if you take it in addition to the Sinemet? Glad to know that you are still meeting with a support group. That really makes a difference, doesn't it? It helps keep us connected with the struggles and victories of others.

I appreciate your letting us all know about the sealing envelopes for the pill bottles, sounds like a good thing to have (especially when traveling).

Thanks again for checking in with us. When I don't hear from our members, I get concerned. Best wishes to you and your wife, Teresa

<br><br><br><br><br>Yes, the Azilect is an addition. There is some thought it may slow the progression. Worth a try.<br><br>Steve  

Hi Teresa- Not sure of the question- But I live close to that area. JJAMES