Forum Replies Created

  • jo-elmblad

    Member
    September 20, 2022 at 6:33 pm in reply to: Long term Levodopa use

    I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013. My most obvious symptom at that time was a small tremor in my right hand. I started taking carbidopa/levodopa shortly thereafter….a lighter dose…I think it was half a pill three times a day. Over time the dose increased to a full pill three times a day. Over more time, my neurologist has added pramipaxole. Now I take 1 1/2  carb/levo and one pramapaxole 3 times a day. For me, the medication’s worked pretty well. I’ve really felt like I didn’t have much side effects. Now that it’s been a pretty good length of time, I’m starting to experience the quick jerky movement on rare occasions. Also the medication makes me sleepy. I try to do my Jazzercise exercise class 3 times a week and try to be active and involved and generally can still do all the things I could before….except sometimes a bit more slowly and deliberately. For me, the levodopa seems to have helped me without causing any significant problems so far.

  • jo-elmblad

    Member
    November 24, 2020 at 2:20 pm in reply to: Celebrities with PD

    Reading about celebrities having PD is encouraging to me as I think it helps bring attention to Parkinson’s.  The more everyone knows about it, the better off we all are……and the more attention it gets, the more likely we’re going to have donations and research interest in finding a cure.  Additionally, it’s always interesting to hear how others, celebrities or not, are dealing with PD.

  • jo-elmblad

    Member
    December 19, 2019 at 8:56 am in reply to: Were you an athlete before diagnosis?

    Classification as an “athlete” might be too optimistic,  but I was consistently active before Parkinson’s diagnosis and I believe that has really helped me continue to be able to do most of the things I used to do.  I bowl, go to Jazzercise class 3 times a week, walk, and do  a number of active things.  Am able to physically do more than the typical woman my age(74) plus live in a two story home which requires multiple trips up and down stairs.

  • jo-elmblad

    Member
    May 30, 2019 at 9:26 am in reply to: Where do you live?

    I live in Fern Park, Florida in a two story townhome. Fern Park is a community a little north of Orlando.

  • jo-elmblad

    Member
    May 30, 2019 at 9:23 am in reply to: What are you grateful for today?

    I am grateful for the continuing ability to do what I want to do physically, even tho I may have to do it a little slower.  So far, balance and gait are not a problem for me. It makes such a difference to be able to move around at a decent speed and pace. I give credit to my Jazzercize classes for helping me stay stable and active.