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

Ok

@barryl
I wish you well! Will you post updates when it's convenient?

The VA is sending me to a psychologist next Monday, 7/27 to evaluate me for my Parkinsons Disease symptoms. This is more related to a compensation claim I filed with the VA in January, 2026. I'll try for a specialist for Parkinsons to do the physical therapy, as you suggested. Thanks, Barry

@hopeful33250

@barryl
I would suggest that you ask for a referral for physical therapy that is specifically geared for PD patients. In the meantime, you might consider going on YouTube and searching for "exercises for PD." You will discover a lot of seated exercise videos that can help with stiffness and keep you more limber.

Will you post again and let me know you are doing?

No, my neurologist has not. He specializes in neurology, and is my VA community care referal specialist. About 4 to 6 month intervals between appointments. Every second or third appointment is a video appointment. So far, no physical therapy has been ordered.

Hello @barryl

I appreciate you sharing your experiences in this discussion group. As you probably know, daily exercises can help to improve many PD symptoms. Here is an article about how exercise is an important way to treat PD: https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise. There is also specific vestibular therapy that can assist with balance problems.

Has your neurologist referred you to physical therapy?

You have my vote on this subject. Leg, foot, finger, and palm cramps continue every day. I've tried EVERYTHING! Nothing works. Balance and dizziness, especially when I'm tired. Constant adjustments of meds for constipation are needed to keep things working.
Seeing things that are not actually there, especially to my sides is very troubling.

@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.

@kshansen Or just like me. I am sitting here talking w/husb and suddenly hit by gut and tremor. SO FRUSTRATING.