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richard gitschlag replied to the topic What do you think of the term 'Parkie'? in the forum Parkinson’s Disease Awareness and Advocacy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
I have personalized this disease by using the term “Parkie” as my enemy and burden, as when, in a particularly bad day I can blame “the Parkie is riding my back harder today.” That seems to lighten my attitude at least a bit.
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richard gitschlag replied to the topic Are there Parkinson's terms that are more sensitive than others? in the forum Parkinson’s Disease Awareness and Advocacy 11 months, 3 weeks ago
I don’t refer to myself as a ‘parkie’, but I reserve that for the disease itself, as in “The Parkie riding on my back”. That seems to keep it a bit lighter.
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richard gitschlag replied to the topic How have you naviaged difficult Parkinson's conversations? in the forum Diagnosis Information and General Questions 1 year ago
I have a reasonably open ability to discuss most issues with my Neurologist, but even with that, it was a bit difficult opening up about the sexual malfunctions at first. It is still a bit hard to go into specifics, but at least broke the ice there and we were able to discuss it, at least in general. She has been very professional in bringing up…[Read more]
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richard gitschlag replied to the topic How is it using a Smartphone with Parkinson's (survey) in the forum Living With Parkinson's Disease 1 year, 1 month ago
Here’s the link: https://forms.gle/rKZAmkQtM9HqqrQ19
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richard gitschlag replied to the topic How is it using a Smartphone with Parkinson's (survey) in the forum Living With Parkinson's Disease 1 year, 1 month ago
Finally! Someone is thinking about a smart phone usable by a Parkie! Not just a tracking app, but an actual, usable phone.
I would think about a ‘clickey’ keyboard, and a screen that can be calibrated for sensitivity. I am really tired of the multiple hits due to my tremors, and unintentional apps starting up after a lazy finger has the…[Read more]
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richard gitschlag replied to the topic Did you use Round Up Weed Killer? in the forum Diagnosis Information and General Questions 1 year, 7 months ago
Not all that much. My dad was Plant Manager of a weed killer manufacturing plant, making 2,4-D and MCPA, not to mention 2,4,5-T in earlier years. We used those as I was growing up. y dad lived into his high 80’s, as did my uncle, who worked out in the plant. We lost Dad to dementia, with only a slight Parkinson’s toward the end. I think this may…[Read more]
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richard gitschlag replied to the topic How does your emotional state affect your symptoms? in the forum Parkinson's Disease Symptoms 2 years, 7 months ago
I’ve noticed that when particularly stressful (especially emotional) events occur, it can be like “Hey, who turned off my meds?” Even at the peak “on” time of my Rytary schedule, it’s like a light being switched off. It’s just gone, and the PD is on in full force.
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richard gitschlag replied to the topic What was your first symptom? in the forum Parkinson's Disease Symptoms 2 years, 7 months ago
It’s hard to pinpoint my “first symptom”, as there were several seemingly unrelated things that had been developing over the months before my official diagnosis. In no particular order, there were:
My sense of smell had long departed.
My wife started asking why I looked sad or angry when I didn’t feel anything like that at all (masked…[Read more]
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richard gitschlag became a registered member 2 years, 7 months ago
hi richard
Welcome to the forum! I am one of the moderators, diagnosed in 2015 at age 61. If there is anything specific you would like to see discussed on the forum, feel free to post a new topic in any of our forums or jump in on an existing topic: