Another PD milestone.

[TheresaCurley]

This week I finally switched from using Poise Pads to Adult Diapers full time. Tired of having to do so much wash. One more step down the PD road. (Gee do you think fast walking could give me back bladder control......only kidding please don't answer that).

[Hidden]

TMI

[TheresaCurley in reply to Hidden]

LOL -- I'm sorry.

[Serenity_finaly-1]

aaaaahhhhh ???? congratulations ??????????

[TheresaCurley]

I'm just glad I can laugh about it. Having my depression gone has been a miracle for me that Sinemet has given me. I tried everything to overcome my depression for so very many years and it is only when I started Sinemet that it finally lifted. So this past year has been the sickest year of my life, yet the happiest.

[paddyfield in reply to TheresaCurley]

Some people seem to develop anxiety with PD and/or meds. I like Theresa am much happier than years ago. Mainly because a sort of nameless dread lurked in the background and I felt I had to be constantly alert to any downward spiral of mood

Regarding the bladder control issue, it might be worth trying one of the three drugs

Hikoi mentions. I have used t hem more like a course of tablets to re-educate the bladder when urgency was a problem usually provoked by a bladder infection. So the pills are part of the armoury but I don't use them continuously. In fact a sudden one-off unexplained complete loss of control years before dx with PD was one of what I now believe were early visits by Mr. P. No bladder weakness could be found in the various investigations I had for this problem.

[rebtar in reply to TheresaCurley]

Silver linings. I also have struggled with depression and anxiety for many years. Thankfully it's fairly well controlled now with anti-depressants. I haven't started Sinemet yet. Now I'm curious what would happen if I did.

[Boyce3600 in reply to rebtar]

May I ask what drugs are controlling the anxiety currently for you?

Thanks

[Jwolfman614 in reply to TheresaCurley]

My urologist helped me with my bladder control issue (usually at night though) when I either have to run to the bathroom quickly or just use the male urinal by my bed.

But, as you mentioned about taking a boatload of meds already, I was really hesitant to try his Tamsulosin that I take to help become a little more regulated.

So now, I take a boat load and a dinghy full of meds. But, it's working pretty well.

--John

[999---666 in reply to TheresaCurley]

eliminate coffee, it's a durietic. for another I found keeping a full gut helps absorb, or something. I am incontinent because i'm doing restricted calorie bit.... not a good idea in my case.

you could also try kugal's exercise.

[Hikoi]

Theresa thankyou for your courage in talking about this.

There are some medications you could try - tolterodine, oxybutynin or solifenacin. They work well but some people find side effects, particularly dry mouth, a problem and give up.

I wouldnt despair totally, it was a problem for me in the first years but is much improved. Every time I change meds it can be an issue but settles in time.

Amazing about the positive mood effects of sinimet!

[TheresaCurley in reply to Hikoi]

I take so many drugs already I truly do not want to add any more to the mix if I don't absolutely have to. You say "I wouldn't despair totally" -- Hikoi I'm not despairing at all -- I'm managing very well. It's an inconvenience that I have adjusted to, nothing more. I'm thrilled that adult diapers are so available and so streamlined now and easy to use. 20 years ago this would definitely been much harder but with the general population aging products have improved tremendously. I feel that incontinence is nothing to get upset about, at least not at my age.

[Hikoi in reply to TheresaCurley]

Sorry Theresa, the dont despair comment is more a turn of phrase rather than that i thought you were (and i dont). Cross cultural differences in communicaton i think.

[TheresaCurley in reply to Hikoi]

Yeah that is easy to happen. In fact it is a real education since the internet has been born. Who would ever think we could talk to strangers on the other side of the planet? I certainly never did. I enjoy learning about people.

[Serenity_finaly-1 in reply to TheresaCurley]

Sounds like you are getting ready for Disney World.

[GrandmaM in reply to Serenity_finaly-1]

Haha, I heard a lady years ago say that she never had to use public restrooms at big events because she just wore Depends. The astronauts also wear them.

[TheresaCurley in reply to GrandmaM]

I don't agree with that Lady. I wear them for the 'whoops' factor, not for the 'what the heck' factor.

[jillannf6 in reply to Hikoi]

hi i take solefenacin and it works fr ,me

lol jill

zxxxxxxxx

[Sane1]

Well thanks for addressing the elephant in that room! Lol! It's something most of us will deal with sooner or later. I love your frankness!

[Jwolfman614]

I'm sorry to hear that, Theresa, but you've realized that making this turn in your life can have good results in the end.

Thank you for sharing this with us. That had to be tough to do.

As one of our moderators, you do so much to make me/us realize that this disease is a progression, but we're not in it alone.

--John

[Jwolfman614]

I also admittedly hit a milestone in my life last week that I'll tell about.

First, I looked to see what Mr. Webster had to say about the word milestone:

"A significant event or stage, in life, PROGRESS . . ." I never actually looked at the first part of our disease that we know as "progressive" as moving from one stage to another as progress. Now I can see how that applies to me.

As I started to say, my OT, Neuro, and GP have told me because I can't control my jerking tremors from PD and I can't fully turn my neck from falling and fracturing my neck in two vertebrae, I will likely never be able to drive again (something I loved to do and did mostly when my wife and I would take off for vacations or most any place.

But, my OT had the courage to tell this.news. II cried of course as I heard these words, and we shared hugs of support, but I've anticipated that I might hear them soon. I normally wear my neck brace when I'm out of the house and my walker to strengthen my motility when we'd go anywhere.

But, of course I didn't want to hear any of this! (None of us do!) but, as my wife and I talked about it that night, we discussed how difficult it must have been for her (my OT, to tell me that.

So, the next day at my OT session, I told her thanks for telling me what she said about the likelihood of not driving again. She told me stories about how others have reacted to her when she's had to share those words with them. She said some have yelled and screamed obscenities at her as if this was her fault or anyone's fault.

When I next visited my GP and Neuro, they both confirmed that this decision would be best for the safety of my wife and me and for others on the road.

The following Monday, my wife noticed that after two months, she hadn't renewed the car registration and gotten her new license plate. (Things have been a little crazy around here for the last seven months.)

But, when I went in with her at our BMV, we had discussed about turning in my driver's license. I'd come to accept the fact that it was something I needed to do - and she left it up to me as the timing.

I really felt a heavy load come off my shoulders when I did that, took my picture for my state I.D. and walked proudly with my wife out the door.

We had discussed that when we want to go out-of-state for vacations, we'd still go, but instead of me driving straight through to our destination, when she tired from driving, we'd either stop for a break or stay overnight in a motel; refreshed and ready to go on.

Even after my accident, my wife was always willing to take if I needed to go somewhere. Never a complaint. She would tell me that she took our wedding vows seriously ("sickness or health . . . "

[TheresaCurley in reply to Jwolfman614]

Jwolfman I'm sorry you can't drive any longer that is a bummer. But again it is something we will most probably all face.

One thought that comes to mind is that manufactures are making amazing progress on self driving cars. I personally can't imagine it but I watched demo's of them and they are in full time use in California as an experiment and in other countries....especially Japan. They are used a lot in Japan I understand. I've read that they will be available by the major manufacturers by 2020. Don't know if it's true or not....but wow if it is.

[999---666 in reply to TheresaCurley]

yah great news, and they will rent them like bicycles, making them available to masses.

[DianeF]

Thanks so much for bringing this up. I have always had an overactive bladder. It is now worse with Parkinson's. Interestingly enough, the OT who did my LSVT Big and Loud also does a bladder control program for folks with Parkinson's that I am considering. I'll keep you posted.

[Serenity_finaly-1 in reply to DianeF]

I would like to see that exercise class.

[redean]

Good for you to bring this up for discussion. I am often embarrassed with a full spectrum of near misses and other 'bathroom' incidents. The BM changes and unexpected gas explosions make my life really interesting at times.....and by interesting, I mean humiliating.

[999---666 in reply to redean]

if you're not shy, let me tell you that what you're describing is putrifaction, an unhealthy condition, and you can do something about it.

colonic irrigation was all the rage some years ago, but I wouldn't try it unless probiotic treatment doesn't do it for you. at the time they said you can judge your health by an increase in the diameter of your stool. broach this with your physician.

[redean in reply to 999---666]

i think related to muscle loss, in that 'toots' just happen with change in position etc and i have less control now.so fun.

[Serenity_finaly-1]

I am trying this whole coconut oil thing, have you ever accompanied a fart with an ouch.

[S70AWD]

I have been at the Depends stage for a while now (67 year old female). I'd be interested to know what brands/styles you think work best.

[Serenity_finaly-1 in reply to S70AWD]

I am waiting for the Air Jordan line of diapers to come out.

[Isthistheone in reply to Serenity_finaly-1]

Lol. Didn't think I could jump so high again!! Good one!

[TheresaCurley in reply to S70AWD]

I'm using Assurance brand. Works good, comfortable and with baggy clothing not visible to others.

[Beverly2017]

I know the feeling. It's scarey but you can handle it. You are! Just remember the good things in life, try and enjoy and be thankful for some of your little pleasures.

[Beckey]

I still do my Kegel exercises faithfully, though one day I know they will no longer be effective.

[Joanne_Joyce]

I was recently given David Zid's book, "Functional Fitness for everyone living with Parkinson's". He has 3 exercises specifically for incontinence problems. I am certainly going to start those exercises. I'll let everyone know if they really help.

[justhavefun2 in reply to Joanne_Joyce]

Thanks for the book suggestion!