Anxiety and depression with Parkinson’s

First off, I am not a doctor, and I only speak from my experiences. It seems you may be letting your stress and anxiety take full control, which supercharges PD. I recommend taking a day or two off from your job and/or your commitments and just rest. Watch movies, read books, but don't do anything stressful if you can help it (like drive a car, make an appointment on time, etc.) As you rest, you should find that your medicine impact becomes stronger because you don't have all that stress blocking the drug's impact. You want to get to a point where you . This might require back and forth with a neurologist. At understand what impact the drugs have on you without any other variables such as stress interfering.

There is a lot more I can write, but let me stop there for now and see what you think of this. Or if it is even possible to have some extended downtime. In order to counteract your downward spiral, you need to fight back by resting and removing stress. PD doesn't mot react well with trying to push through.

If you are newly diagnosed anxiety and depression is not uncommon. It takes time for medication to take effect and to get the right balance of medication. I was taking taekwondo when I was diagnosed and found it was a life saver in that when I was on thought about. This was my stress reliever. Kickboxing is good. Any exercises that demand your full attention for the time you are doing them help. I also am not a doctor and I advocate having a good neurologist that you are comfortable talking to.

@nova11723 Let me clarify my last post. I meant to write that, "You want to get the point where you feel somewhat like yourself for as much of the day as possible." This is not easy with PD, as it will constantly try fight back. I once heard that PD always attacks your weakest part, and I have found this is definitely true, or at least feels true.

@nova11723
Very much agree with what you say about PD not letting you "feel like yourself".

There are things I loved doing in the past that now I seem to be too easily making excuses to not push through the tiredness.

@nova11723 1
I agree that stress makes symptoms worse and accelerates progression. I was diagnosed 15 years ago. I have been on Sinemet for 14 years and now take 12 pills per day. After I was diagnosed I drastically reduced stress, retired, and increased exercise (mainly walking). I asked for help with sleeping and was prescribed Melatonin and Trazadone. I now sleep very well.
Any stress will bring on symptoms regardless of my medication status. If I get cold, tremors are worse. Changes in my routine will cause return of symptoms. Lack of sleep, too many appointments, cooking a meal for someone, having an overnight guest - all bring on symptoms.
I work hard to have low stress days and believe that this has helped me live well with Parkinson's.

@iris2 That's great. I take about 5 Sinemet per day, but I also take an extended version that brings me up to 10 or so. I have been taking it for about 8 years now. I completely agree with everything that you listed that makes your condition worse. Guests are one thing, but staying at someone's house also can cause symptoms. Or taking a red eye flight, or sitting in a boring meeting, or driving. Man, driving can be the worse.

But your approach seems similar to mine, i.e. manage your stress level and try to exercised and try to sleep well. And take Sinemet. Have you had DBS?

I considered DBS but I'm doing really well on Sinemet and I don't mind taking the pills every three hours. I also take Amantadine. Honestly, I think movement (daily walks and staying active around the house and garden) is as important as the medication.
How old were you when diagnosed? I was 55, now 71. For those who are recently diagnosed, don't give in to Parkinson's! With the right care, there may be a lot of good years ahead.

Thank you all for the comments and replies, I did have a follow up yesterday with my neurologist. He’s changing out my medication, which I don’t like but something has to be done. Besides taking 10 pills a day. He’s ordered another MRI and also a skin test. I don’t work anymore as I could not physically or mentally do my job, that’s been the toughest part of this whole situation is not being able to work. I am not newly diagnosed with depression. I’ve been taking depression medication for probably 30 years, but the anxiety that came with the Parkinson’s has been horrible, I also take 200 mg of trazodone so my sleep is not an issue at all, I also live in the Vegas area so driving can be very very stressful. Just the thought of leaving the house raises my anxiety level.

@nova11723
No on the DBS, also I’m not one for exercise, but I do know I need to start at least walking I do physical therapy at my clinic two days of the week to get me moving..

@iris2 I was 39 when I was diagnosed. My bet is that a bit of family history of anxiety and work stress combined to make it happen to me but who knows. You are right that Sinemet can take you far, especially because it is so predictable. And yes, I also take Amantadine.

Some day, maybe I will post the positive side of PD. For me, there was one, surrounded by a ton of difficulty and education. Hang in there everyone!