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PN and handwriting …
Somewhere in the recesses of my mind I seem to recall one of my neurologists asking if I'd noticed that my handwriting had deteriorated. It seems he said that a worsening handwriting is sometimes suspected to be a symptom of PN. I do a lot of writing by hand. I've always prided myself on being able to write anywhere, anytime, without having to tote a 'device' along, ever vigilant to how long before the device's battery will need recharging. But all that aside, I have noticed that my handwriting, never a penmanship champ, has grown ever more illegible, even to me. More and more, I find myself in the middle of typing into MS Word something I'd written by hand only a few hours earlier and muttering, 'Huh?' A deteriorating handwriting is hardly PN's most devastating symptom, but, if true, it sure is one of PN's most curious symptoms. Has anyone else found themselves staring at something they've written by hand and muttering, 'Huh?'
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I have been faced with general body tremors since the year 2009 and it gradually increased untill I lossed my handwritings. After that I trained my left hand and it's not that efficient,I have also a symptom of sweating at my left body side from the head to the legs. What can I do? Since I have been to the hospital for several times
Holy Smokes! Yes I have large fiber idiopathic PN and yes my handwriting is awful now. I would have never attributed to PN. I am old enough to remember Penmanship in grammar school, always got an A, push pulls and ovals, loved it! Anyone else remember that?Thank goodness I have no pain just balance issues. I am going on 10 yrs since diagnosis. I feel by exercising, taking supplements, correct shoes and inserts, tens machine for my feet have helped immensely. I take 300 mg gabapentin daily for the burning and tingling, it helps.I wish the balance issue would disappear, but I know better. I will continue eating a healthy diet and doing all things listed above to maintain. I am going to go do some push pulls and ovals!! Best wishes to all and never give up!
Hello, allegheny @allegheny)
Me, too: I never would have associated my deteriorating handwriting to my PN had my neorologist not asked me one day if I'd noticed my handwriting becoming more difficult to read. I believe I answered defensively (like when your PCP asks how many drinks do you have in a week's time 🙂 ): "My handwriting more difficult to read? No, no, I don't believe so." Privately, however, I knew it had, I just had never attributed it to my PN. Some mornings, in the midst of journaling, I'll stop and just practice the alphabet. As you say: Never give up!
Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)
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1 ReactionGeez, and I thought it was due to my old age and shaky hands 😁
Tell your friends to practice writing (at a minimum) your signature with your off hand in case your dominant hand is crippled by a stroke.. Also next to your phone or land line 911, your name age address garage or entry pass code and whether you have a dog. I was able to give that information to the 911 operator as well as my location in the house and that I was having a stroke. The EMT was there in less than 5 minutes, I was given immediate medication in the ambulance and was admitted to the local hospital within 15 minutes of the stroke.
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1 ReactionExcellent advice! Thank you!
I'm not sure, John. At 80, I still find "old age" a bit mysterious. I wonder what it's like. I guess I'll just have to wait to find out. 🙂
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1 ReactionI tutor young children in reading and writing and while preparing a template for them, I found, that I could not neatly write out the lower case alphabet. I was aware of my deteriorating handwriting, but had put it down to increased use of the keyboard and general rushing (jotting down shopping lists). I thought that if I took my time, I could produce 'exemplary work'! Not So!
I asked my year 5 granddaughter to do it for me! She did a great job! I do occasionally have an aching pain in the fleshy part of my palm below my last two fingers. Tai chi hand stretches seems to help.