My Parkinson's life is so confusing - this is not easy.

Posted by johnnyvsn @johnnyvsn, Oct 27, 2024

I was officially diagnosed with Parkinson's May of 2019. I have been taking Rytary since diagnosis and can say it really does help me feel "normal", but just for windows of time. Sometimes the windows lasts a very short time, sometimes longer. I am not as sharp minded as I used to be. I just don't understand how my body can feel so bad a lot of the time, then feel normal at other times. Does anyone else struggle with accepting this as just the normal life of a Parkinson's sufferer?

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Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

@agusti
When you say, "Canceling the dosage of Sinemet has helped," I'm wondering whether you have stopped taking it altogether or just reduced the dosage?

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@hopeful33250 Lo siento. Seguramente ha sido un error de traducción. Nunca he hablado de cancelar la dosi (y si lo hice me equivoqué). Yo hablava de pausar la dosi. Empecé hace más de tres años, con dosis de 1-1-1-0'5 pastillas repartidas entre las 8 de la mañana hasta las 9 de la noche. Actualmente estoy con 1'5 (9h)- 1'5 (13 h) - 1'5 (17h) 1-(21h). Después, a las 22 h tomo Ongentys. Lo que ha hecho el neumólogo ha sido aumentar la dosis y disminuir la frecuencia.
Lamentablemente, no he podido dejar de tomar Sinemet, ni tampoco, por ahora, la he reducido.

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Profile picture for agusti @agusti

@hopeful33250 Hola atodos. Realmente esta calor (41º C) es bastante molesta, No sé cuanto afecta a los enfermos de Parkinson. Lo cierto es que este verano ha sido horrible (al menos para mi). Cuándo pensaba que los síntomas se alejaban, han vuelto con más fuerza. Canviar la dosificación del Sinemet ha ayudado. Pero no veré a mi neurógo hasta diciembre. He encontrado ayuda en mi doctora de cabecera que, aunque no es especialista en neurología, me escucha cuando le explico mis síntomas y me conaprende. No sé si a todos os pasará igual, pero yo encuentro mucha ayuda en alguien que comprenda la enfermedad.

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@agusti
When you say, "Canceling the dosage of Sinemet has helped," I'm wondering whether you have stopped taking it altogether or just reduced the dosage?

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Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

@bmfoster
I agree; the heat is definitely detrimental to PD patients. I love to walk outside, but never do it when the heat and humidity are high. I've found YouTube exercise videos to use when the weather doesn't permit outside exercise. During inclement weather, I will often use grocery store delivery services. There is a fee, but it is worth it.

It is a difficult road to walk, but adjustments can make a world of difference. I'd love to hear how others are adjusting to the changes in temperature.

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@hopeful33250 I have a treadmill in front of the TV in my husbands study and try to get me walking in that way when the temperature and humidity are up. I also have a home exercise program designed for me by PT/OT geared towards PD patients which helps me stay active.

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Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

@bmfoster
I agree; the heat is definitely detrimental to PD patients. I love to walk outside, but never do it when the heat and humidity are high. I've found YouTube exercise videos to use when the weather doesn't permit outside exercise. During inclement weather, I will often use grocery store delivery services. There is a fee, but it is worth it.

It is a difficult road to walk, but adjustments can make a world of difference. I'd love to hear how others are adjusting to the changes in temperature.

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 Hola atodos. Realmente esta calor (41º C) es bastante molesta, No sé cuanto afecta a los enfermos de Parkinson. Lo cierto es que este verano ha sido horrible (al menos para mi). Cuándo pensaba que los síntomas se alejaban, han vuelto con más fuerza. Canviar la dosificación del Sinemet ha ayudado. Pero no veré a mi neurógo hasta diciembre. He encontrado ayuda en mi doctora de cabecera que, aunque no es especialista en neurología, me escucha cuando le explico mis síntomas y me conaprende. No sé si a todos os pasará igual, pero yo encuentro mucha ayuda en alguien que comprenda la enfermedad.

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That I can, my friend, and I revel in those moments of pain-free stillness.

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Profile picture for kshansen @kshansen

@bmfoster It is hard to describe to someone who is not affected the swings in how I feel day to day or hour to hour.

That is so true about the swings in how I feel! About an hour ago when wife asked about breakfast I was not sure I could even handle that, but I did go ahead and had the cereal with blue berries(sucks that I had to try three times to get the spelling for berries right!) And now I'm thinking about cutting some fire wood! Not! for this month, probably for winter of 2027 and 2028!

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@kshansen Your humor is greatly appreciated and makes it easier to face some hard stuff!! Thanks

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Profile picture for bmfoster @bmfoster

@kshansen I can recognize and identify with so much of what you describe. It is hard to describe to someone who is not affected the swings in how I feel day to day or hour to hour. The heat of this summer in SC has been particularly hard to deal with. The orthostatic hypotension and weakness experienced when I'm outside and doing any exertion is SO limiting. I've had to get a handicapped placard for my car so I can get my groceries from the store to my car without passing out. I know exercise is important, but some days it just seems to be too much to ask. I know that pity parties are unhelpful - so I get it out of my system and keep going. I do all I can to help myself, keep up with daily fluid intake and meds to support my BP and try to get a good night's sleep (when the restless leg syndrome cooperates). I also remember to say the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Hang in there.

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@bmfoster
I agree; the heat is definitely detrimental to PD patients. I love to walk outside, but never do it when the heat and humidity are high. I've found YouTube exercise videos to use when the weather doesn't permit outside exercise. During inclement weather, I will often use grocery store delivery services. There is a fee, but it is worth it.

It is a difficult road to walk, but adjustments can make a world of difference. I'd love to hear how others are adjusting to the changes in temperature.

REPLY
Profile picture for kshansen @kshansen

@bmfoster It is hard to describe to someone who is not affected the swings in how I feel day to day or hour to hour.

That is so true about the swings in how I feel! About an hour ago when wife asked about breakfast I was not sure I could even handle that, but I did go ahead and had the cereal with blue berries(sucks that I had to try three times to get the spelling for berries right!) And now I'm thinking about cutting some fire wood! Not! for this month, probably for winter of 2027 and 2028!

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@kshansen
Had to edit last text I originally typed 2007 and 2008! Dang brain is not working some days!

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Profile picture for bmfoster @bmfoster

@kshansen I can recognize and identify with so much of what you describe. It is hard to describe to someone who is not affected the swings in how I feel day to day or hour to hour. The heat of this summer in SC has been particularly hard to deal with. The orthostatic hypotension and weakness experienced when I'm outside and doing any exertion is SO limiting. I've had to get a handicapped placard for my car so I can get my groceries from the store to my car without passing out. I know exercise is important, but some days it just seems to be too much to ask. I know that pity parties are unhelpful - so I get it out of my system and keep going. I do all I can to help myself, keep up with daily fluid intake and meds to support my BP and try to get a good night's sleep (when the restless leg syndrome cooperates). I also remember to say the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Hang in there.

Jump to this post

@bmfoster It is hard to describe to someone who is not affected the swings in how I feel day to day or hour to hour.

That is so true about the swings in how I feel! About an hour ago when wife asked about breakfast I was not sure I could even handle that, but I did go ahead and had the cereal with blue berries(sucks that I had to try three times to get the spelling for berries right!) And now I'm thinking about cutting some fire wood! Not! for this month, probably for winter of 2027 and 2028!

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Profile picture for kshansen @kshansen

@sunnyduckel
I know this is a reply to a month old post but today was a good example of the pains I have to deal with and how they change from time to time.

I was feeling very bad most of the day but forced my self to take the riding mower out and mow. While I'm not saying I felt great but running the mower I guess forced me to keep my attention on the task. Problem is almost as soon as I put mower away and came in the relax the gut pain was back big time. Now while reading here and replying pain level is tolerable to some extent.

It is very difficult to explain to my wife how this happens. It's also hard for me to fight through the pain and find something to distract my brain for the pain and also not try something that will cause me to stress out and make it worse.

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@kshansen I can recognize and identify with so much of what you describe. It is hard to describe to someone who is not affected the swings in how I feel day to day or hour to hour. The heat of this summer in SC has been particularly hard to deal with. The orthostatic hypotension and weakness experienced when I'm outside and doing any exertion is SO limiting. I've had to get a handicapped placard for my car so I can get my groceries from the store to my car without passing out. I know exercise is important, but some days it just seems to be too much to ask. I know that pity parties are unhelpful - so I get it out of my system and keep going. I do all I can to help myself, keep up with daily fluid intake and meds to support my BP and try to get a good night's sleep (when the restless leg syndrome cooperates). I also remember to say the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Hang in there.

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