I have PD (Parkinson Disease)

Who knows when I was diagnosed? Tremor started years ago, but it may have been Essential Tremor (which is causing a lot of problems right now!). The stiffness et.al., was first treated in 1995 and I was given some "medicine" for Parkinson's. Then they decided against it and treatment and meds stopped. A couple of years ago I went back to the Doc who had diagnosed the Essential Tremor and asked him if I had Parkinson's and after some tests and watching me walk, he said yes and started me on Sinemet. I have taken a variety of strengths and amounts and whatever and am now on 5 -- 25/250mg a day at 6, 10, 2, 6, and 10. Recently I started on Mysoline and when we got to 3 -- 50mg at night, the Essential part of my tremor pretty much stopped. WONDERFUL. I can't tell when the Sinemet kicks in, I never have felt it. Don't know what that means.

I have Bi-Polar Disorder II so I know depression quite well. (Could actually use a little mania sometimes.) It is really not an issue as it is well controlled with meds. As for fitness, I 'work out' in our Wellness Center 3 X's a week - right now I am 15 min. on NuStep and 15 min. on TreadMill. Am working for 30 min. on TM because I have spinal stenosis and I should be walking more. (No panic - All I do is 'slow walk' on TM.) Have had 4 knee surgeries and have a rod from hip to knee (from a femur break) in right leg, so walking really isn't my strong suit.

Living in a nursing home, and without a car, my outside activities are pretty much just Doc appointments.I also do some writing activities for the nursing home, so I do keep busy. My best "keep busy" is my black cat Sabrina. It is getting more difficult to take care of her, but she is sitting between me and the computer
keyboard now (her usual spot when computer in use) so she earns all the love she deserves.

ForTrouble: I was recently diagnosed, Agent Orange related assumed. 70. On Sinemet 25/100.
Medical staff at PD center here says don't take Sinemet within an hour of protein as protein interferes with absorption. They also say to take it with sugary drink like juice to hapelp it cross the brain-blood barrier. I can't tell much difference but I am doing it their way.

Don't see much traffic in this group - would like to start discussion of Azilect and food restrictions. RX brochure and doctors don't say much but mfrs website and on-line stories of high blood pressure from eating processed meat, eggplant, cheese and everything else I normally eat made me afraid to start taking it.

Welcome to Connect @ggopher. We've got a small group here forming about PD. I'm glad you could join us and specifically for your offering useful information for @trouble43443 about taking Sinemet.

Gopher, when were you diagnosed with PD? I like how @denie57 and @trouble43443 have shared the activities (cats, computers and walking when possible) that they do to stay fit and sharp. What are your favorite activities?

@ggopher why don't you add your questions and thoughts about Azilect and food restrictions on this thread that @burgle started a few days ago https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-does-anybody-have-good-results-taking-azilect-as-a-mono-therapy/

I was diagnosed about a year ago. Hadn't smelled anything in 15 years or so, had vocal cord implant supposedly due to Epstein-Barr virus I had the previous year but my voice was getting worse again. Had been told my morning fogginess was due to dehydration and to chug water in the morning. Then a new PA tied those and new symptoms together and sent me to a neurologist and she immediately diagnosed PD. That was a real shock. It is assumed to be tied to Agent Orange from my Vietnam service. Been on 3 Sinemet 25-100 since and symptoms are minimal. Do a couple crosswords a day and work out 3 times a week. Had LSLV speech therapy which helped a lot and belong to a support group through the PD center here in East Texas. <br><br>

The Support Group is a very good thing. It is difficult to keep it "active" when most of the people are not real assertive nor can they speak very loud. I have not lost those two characteristics yet and I am the 'doer' type so I feel responsible for finding something interesting to do or talk about. Are there videos accessible on the computer that we could watch. With only 5 people, we can pretty much gather around one screen. Any topic would be good, because we are all pretty much beginners at PD.

@denie57
Getting a DX of PD can take a long time and I understand your frustration. Employment and PD are not always compatible. My DX came early on, in my late 40s, however, because I've never had tremors I found it too hard to believe. After 16 years and a few falls I decided to revisit that DX and started to take the meds and began to feel more stable. I was grateful for the answer but understand how overwhelming a DX of PD can be. Best wishes to you.

Hi Colleen! Sorry it took me so long to respond to your message. As you can guess, the first couple of months after a diagnosis such as PD has been a whirlwind, full of ups and downs, confusion, research and trying to settle into acceptance. Thank you for your encouragement and comments. I am managing pretty well and organizing my busy schedule. Meds are helping for the most part; keeping a positive attitude and excepting some of my limitations at the same time focusing on not laying down, if that makes any sense. I joined the Y 5 minutes from workplace a couple of weeks ago. I work for a school district and they offered employees a membership for $50 a year. Normally $300.00! They have all kinds of unlimited classes for every fitness level, including Yoga and water aerobics. Work is o.k., its keeping the bills paid, and I am not looking to far into the future. Its a day-to-day mindset. Again, thanks for you concern and thoughts. I'll try to keep up with the communication. 🙂

@denie57.  That is great about your exercise plan and also about your day at a time approach to life.  You seem to have a reasonable outlook and that is what is needed to deal with any chronic health condition.  Best wishes!<br>Teresa  <br><br>