Columns

A few weeks ago, I came across an Everyday Health article about Parkinson’s disease (PD) movies. Not just any Parkinson’s movies, but the best Parkinson’s movies. Using the label “best” is pretty risky when assessing movies, as everyone’s tastes are so different. The article lists the following…

My knees are shaking and it’s not from nervousness. This is Parkinson’s disease. Stiff muscles abound throughout my aching body. This is Parkinson’s disease. My lips quiver, my teeth click, smiles turn into frowns. This is Parkinson’s disease. My toes and fingers bend involuntarily because … this…

Fourth in a series. Read part one, two, and three. In this column, the letter D is for dystonia, drooling, and dandelions. Dystonia Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that causes sustained muscle contractions (ouch!). Twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures (more ouch) can…

Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are all chemicals involved in regulating mood, energy, motivation, appetite, and sleep. Also, the brain’s frontal lobe, which is important in controlling mood, is known to be underactive in people with Parkinson’s disease. It’s no wonder that Parkinson’s patients may look sad. We have every…

“Invisible” disease: a disease that is not necessarily visible to the human eye; hidden; concealed from others. Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be known as an “invisible” disease. However, since PD is most commonly characterized by tremors in the extremities and shaking, most people don’t think of it as…

Grieving can, and often does, involve suffering, sorrow, sadness, hurt, depression, a feeling of affliction, and more. Grief is most commonly related to, and thereby put into, the categories of death and dying. However, grief covers so much more than our expression over the physical loss of a…

Haven’t I been here before? I can’t fight this alone. Medications are now an option. Several months on a holistic route gave me no improvement in symptoms. So, I bit the bullet and decided to try another Parkinson’s prescription medication. In October 2017, I started the Neupro (rotigotine) transdermal patch.

Third in a series. Read part one and two. In this column, the letter C is for cognitive changes and caregiving. Cognitive changes Some possible Parkinson’s disease symptoms are obvious because they are visible: tremors, abnormal gait, a non-swinging arm. You can see them. Others can see…

There is an acrostic I have seen for “fear”: False Evidence Appearing Real I am sure the author of that acrostic meant well, and while there is some validity to it, it is not completely accurate. Ask anyone who is dealing with any kind of…

Second in a series. Read part one. The letter B is for balance and Botox. Balance Many people with Parkinson’s experience walking or balance problems, which can occur in differing degrees. Gait problems can range from the disease slowing your speed, to a lessening of your…