Frances Lo

Hi, Ally,

Yes, sometimes my Rock Steady friends go to lunch after class, but many people still work, so not as often as we’d like.

Hi, Ally,

Yes, there are times that going out can be anxiety-provoking – I need a rollator or I fall, but this (and the cane that I used before) were actually cues that I have a disability and need help.  People are great with doors now.  Before I’m pretty sure they thought I was drunk.  I’m glad to have enough energy to go out; I have long si…[Read more]

@Lou  Oops typo.  400 mg.

@Lou Hevly,  I eat lots of all the foods you mention, but it wasn’t until I started taking a magnesium malate pill (200 mg, which I take with dinner) that I found relief.  If I forget to take the pill with dinner, I’m generally woken by my legs.  I’ve found that it doesn’t work very well if I take it at breakfast.  I need whatever sleep I can get…[Read more]

I’ve been on generic Azilect for 3 years.  It improved stiffness and constipation, and I’ve had no side effects.  I’ll keep taking it.

I have balance issues so I use a rollator – all the time, including at PT, at Tai Chi, and at Rock Steady.  You can get seriously hurt by falling, and you could hurt somebody else.  I used a cane for a long time but it wasn’t enough.  The PT has given me some great exercises that improve my balance and core strength, so I can catch myself more of…[Read more]

My mom, who also had PD, was on c/l for more than a decade before she had dyskinesias, and still had good symptom reduction.  Apparently they didn’t have amantadine then because she never took it.

I don’t think you should assume that you’ll have a few good years and your meds stop working.  First of all, they don’t stop working, and second of a…[Read more]

Hi, I took Amantadine, a low dose, when I was taking Azilect but before I was taking Sinemet (c/l).  It improved my fine motor skills.  When we increased my dose, I started having hallucinations – little cartoon characters that I only saw in dim light, and not at all frightening, but hallucinations (which apparently one can get from just about a…[Read more]

I haven’t used any velcro yet, but I stopped getting pants without pockets, because I want my phone with me and don’t want to hold in my hands.  Also, no more skinny jeans; I’ve actually lost weight, but it’s too awkward to try to get into pants that are tight.  Elastic waistbands are easier to get on, and off when I need to go to the b…[Read more]

My mom and her brother both had PD, diagnosed in their 60’s, though there were earlier symptoms.  I was diagnosed in my 60’s, though I had symptoms at least 10 years previously.  Had my genes done, and don’t have the “usual” genes that are known to cause PD.  But I have other genes that increase the potential of PD.  But my mom’s parents lived int…[Read more]