Jacque Walston
Forum Replies Created
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I, too, experience jerking leg movements when I am trying to fall asleep, and the leg muscles are sort of cramping. It is very disconcerting. This only started after I was diagnosed. I find having a warm bed helps. I have a heated mattress topper I use to pre-heat the bed, especially on cold nights. Also, I turn on classical music and concentrate on that until I fall asleep. I don’t believe I have any thrashing or kicking when I sleep (I am single and the dog doesn’t complain <lol>).
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We have also been strongly advised to not travel. Consequently, I (single person) won’t be traveling to visit friends or family, which I would normally do. I will be joining a couple of friends here in town for dinner/lunch, but they are cooking outside on the grill and we will be eating on the deck outside. I hope it doesn’t rain!
I must admit the urge to travel to visit family is strong as I have not seen them for over a year. We have already canceled two planned visits because of this darn CoVid. I guess I will have to wait until Spring and hope for better world health.
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When I find that dizziness and instability are sometimes a problem I go from one piece of furniture to the next when in the house (which is most of the time these days). but find a cane helpful when I am out or clinging to a shopping cart. I am thinking about changing to a walking stick because of posture issues. I don’t have “freezing” issues.
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I’ve had a succession of dogs my whole life. Currently, I have Maxie, part poodle, part Shiz shu as a companion dog. I have not considered a service dog, but understand how they could be helpful with balance. Maxie is very smart, doesn’t shed but does require grooming. I had an older terrier and acquired Maxie after I became a widow and the beloved terrier died. Maxie is a good companion. If it were not for Maxie I would certainly succumb to depression!
We have aged together (she was an adult when I got her). I’ve had her 15 years, so she is approaching the end. Although she is still healthy and spry, I am decreasing in my activities as PD symptoms increase. It’s harder for me to groom her properly. But she is a devoted companion who is my reason for getting out of bed most mornings. I don’t know if I will replace her when she goes. By then I may be in a facility and it will be a moot point.
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Greetings, all. I live in Denton, Texas, north of Dallas and Ft. Worth where I-35 rejoins going North. I am very grateful for this forum, too, especially now as our Parkinsons’ Support Group here has stopped meeting because of the pandemic. I’m not one to just pick up the phone and call someone, but I do love reading and responding to this forum. It’s great to learn from others with similar problems. (and I’m thankful for computers that correct misspellings as I have a lazy ssssssssssssss finger. LOL)
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Yes, since childhood. Always this tone singing in my head. Many suggestions as to how it happened, but no cure, no treatments. I tried hearing aids that supposedly counterbalanced the tone, but that did not work.
I had other problems that were supposedly hints/precursors of PD.; irregular bowels, constipation. but no one ever took it as a sign for something else wrong. I believe, at that time, doctors were not looking at the whole person, just treating the symptom that was their specialty.
Robert C, I appreciate your description of tin-EYE-tus, a mean condition that won’t stop, ever. It just gets worse sometimes.
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Sharon, I know how you feel. The way I handle grocery shopping is: I try to time my visits to unbusy times; I make a list and clip it with my coupons; I go to a smaller grocery store (also less walking!); wear mask and gloves; I get what I need and go; use self checkout and bag your own, which is the pits, I know, but you come in contact with fewer people; immediately upon arriving home wash hands, gloves, put away frozen foods, sit and have some tea. The rest will wait until you are rested.
I will not go into large box stores, but order online and have things delivered. I understand you can do this with groceries, too, but I like to pick my own bananas.
I have not had a manicure or pedicure or haircut in months. I do my own. It’s not a great job, but who’s to see you? I live alone; you may have family members who could help you with these chores.
I hae not shopped for anything in the shops and find I don’t really need anything, but I do miss the entertainment value of browsing through the shops.
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With this CoVid problem going on, I try to stay at home a lot, going out only for groceries, Dr. appts, and to help at church (2 or 3 people, masks, distancing). Zoom church is OK but weird. I really miss my support group and am not sure how to find them. Hence, I do get depressed and un-motivated more frequently. Sometimes the only reason I get up is to let the dog out and feed her. (BTW, lots of typing errors here to correct, especially with my heavy left fourth digit which insists on adding sssssssssssssssssssss when I’m not paying attention. A program called Grammerly helps by automatically correcting spelling and grammar.) I try doing for others and that can usually bring me out of my funk. Right now a friend of mine, age 91, is in rehab and I am doing some odd jobs at his house that hopefully will improve his quality of life when he gets home: replace light bulbs, repair a leaky faucet, fix that door that doesn’t latch. The handygal things I can still do. Keeps me busy, happy, and I don’t have to hurry. I have a retired maintenance man who works with me. He gets paid a bit (for the plumbing) and I feel like I’m doing good for all three of us.
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I need space and privacy. I need all strangers to wear a mask and stay 6 ft. away. I do not need visitors in my home; I’ll visit with you on the patio or the porch, in the park or other outdoor space.
The first few weeks this all started I was confused and scared and lonely. I wanted a hug and to be told everything will be alright. All my anticipated trips and activities came crashing to CANCELLED. Now that I have adjusted, I know no comforting will be coming as everyone is in the same boat, so I deal with it. I am retired so have not lost a job or income. I have my own projects and am investigating new ones. If I absolutely need a ‘third hand’, I have trusted friends who will come over to help. I do participate in a few Zoom meetings, talk or text with friends, and sometimes participate in outdoor church services.
I listen to my neighbors playing with their children out in the yard, the folks across the street who are remodeling, and I speak to my neighbors unmasked but across the fence. I am not sad or particularly lonely and appreciative of the extra amount of uninnterupted time I now have. I am content and willing to deal with what I have to. Just Please wear a mask and keep your social distance! I would still like to go back to hugs someday.
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I am z 72 yr old single woman whose Parkinson’s was diagnosed six years ago. Having no caregiver is one of my biggest concerns. Fortunately, my symptoms are progressing slowly, but that doesn’t change the fact that I live alone.
One of the things I have done is taken a few very close friends into confidence giving them information of my future wishes as my disease progresses. I am slowly making changes to my home so that I can stay here comfortably for as long as I can. I have researched organizations in the area who can provide services, such as housekeeping, transportation nutrition. Many of my friends know my diagnosis and have expressed willingness to help if needed, and I plan on calling on them. At least that will keep me at home until I require hospitalization. The day to day moral support I just have to do myself.
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I would be interested in this program. I participated in a program for seniors several years ago regarding the prevention of falls and how to get up once you’re down. That was very useful. I have since been diagnosed with PD and find my body stiffer and slower. I am ready to learn more.
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I have not lost weight, but gained. Not too much, and it seems to have stabilized. I gained about five lbs, but I attribute it to nervous/depression eating as I adjust my life living with Parkinsons symptoms. After six years of no apparent progression, I now feel clumsy as my fingers move awkwardly like fat sausages, making fine motion impossible, and handwriting poor. I don’t so much walk anymore but lumber along being careful of my balance.
I would say go for that ice cream. Why hold back when you NEED the calories and enjoy it.
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I loved to dance! I did feel graceful gliding across the ballroom in a waltz or twirling in a two-step on a sawdust dance floor. Now with PD I still feel graceful in my mind, but in reality, I’m much more jerky. Does that stop me from dancing? No way! I still get up and move my booty, shake the tambourine, jump around and enjoy myself. I find it is easier now to dance by myself rather than with a partner. But in my mind, I’m twirling on that ballroom floor with the best of ’em.
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Doesn’t look like anything you couldn’t do with any small weights in your hands.
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Yes, I do hand exercises, but I incorporate them into my daily routine: When stopped at a red light; while walking from parking lot into store. I hate exerecise classes so I try to make exercise part of life like vacuuming, dusting, yardwork,. I also do some floor exercises and stretches at night.
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I have always had low blood pressure in the range of 90/60. Since diagnosis in 2014 it has not seemed to change much. Still have the blacking out when standing from a squat, but I have long since learned how to deal with that. I suppose it is more dangerous now with PD symptoms and age added and increased likelihood of falling, But I’ve learned to watch out for myself.
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Thank you, Paul, for your list.