Parkinson state

[M-o-ggy]

I was with friends last Sunday and noticed that I was locking onto people instead of looking smiling and glancing away. Is this the stare and are there any other symptoms I should be aware of

[CivilMatt]

M-o-ggy,

You will know when you have it mastered. The girl at MacDonald’s will ask you to smile and friends and family not yet in on the PD will think you are rude. While I still laugh at a funny show, the ability to smile and casually look away does not happen easily. The people who matter know a little bit about what is going on and I can’t worry about the others, but I try to be aware of my behavior.

CM

[Pelley in reply to CivilMatt]

"Just cheer up"........ "Whats wrong"............if I had a nickel for every time I've been told or asked.

[4000Nights]

Unfortunately.... it is one of the most tell tale symptoms to first appear,

Others are:

Tremor. A tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers. ...

Slowed movement ... change in way you walk..

Rigid muscles. ...

lack of arm movement

Impaired posture and balance. ...

Loss of automatic movements. ...

Speech changes. ...

softer sppeech

Writing changes... writing small

Vivid dreams sometimes violent

[M-o-ggy in reply to 4000Nights]

Hi there. I already have all these symptoms and can not walk and talk at the same time as I have to consciously concentrate on makeing my lower legs move forward and push off correctly with my toes. I then have to remember to swing my left arm.

This stare caught me completely by surprise. Now I know about it I can guard against it.

I just wondered if there was anything else to be aware of.

Interestingly the tremor originated in my left leg and crept into my left hand and leg It has now decided to leave my left hand and go to left leg and right leg.

[SELFMeder]

Interesting.

Ive had much success with a dedicated exercise routine, twice monthly Feldencrais and deep massage sessions, and a mix of daily and nightly supplements in overcoming 12 or so symptoms at the time of my definitive (DAT Scan) PD dx. My stride is now fluid (I can intersperce occasional jogging wianxiety is down, I usually awake refreshed.

[jdc3]

The other night I was walking past a bar when a young guy sitting near the door yelled: "What the f*ck you staring at, old man? You want your ass kicked?" Which really took me by surprise because I had no idea I was staring!

[Hidden in reply to jdc3]

Oh dear, did you kick his bum bum😂

[Hidden in reply to jdc3]

Just kidding, its bad. People are so hostile these days

[SELFMeder]

Sorry for the fat finger partial reply!

To continue...

... occasional jogging and jumping jacks), general anxiety is down (I am much less impatient), I usually wake feeling refreshed (kind of like while asleep rain washed through my body), my foot shuffling is gone and mh finger tremor is largely subdued, I can still focus for hours, constipation is under control, and I am professionally active at 74, although I have largely substituted GoToMeeting for extensive business travel.

I now feel that although I have PD, PD does not have me. So long as I stay with my routine.

So, my wife and I have only informed family members about my PD.

Nevertheless, two of my wife's friends have asked at social occasions, "Is (SelfMeder) OK?" Both have physical therapy backgrounds. One occasion was when I was taking friends offshore in my boat for whale watching; the other was at a Christmas social thar involved fast dancing with my wife. So it wasn't for lack of normal movement. Rather it must have been from something PD-distinctive about my visage or general appearance during those occassions.

Can someone help me better understand this phenomenen and how to manage it? The telltail signs that we inadvertently give off?

I prefer not to telegraph my dx until I succumb to it and have to start taking the PD meds.

Best to all.

SelfMeder

[ddmagee1 in reply to SELFMeder]

You will probably find, as I have found, that after I started taking PD meds, the tell tale signs that those therapists picked up on, will be much improved. Walking, smiling, posture etc. looks more normal when people see me now, then before I was on the PD medicine. Also, I had resting tremor, which was difficult to hide, now, with the meds, that is under control. Taking meds, actually, can help a lot. Most people have no idea that I have PD, especially the ones that never saw my shaking, masked face, stiff walking etc., before I took my PD medicine.

[Miesknees]

I do the exact same thing! Can be very embarrassing.

[SELFMeder]

Many thx. I have been saving my dry powder/PD meds until my symptoms got worse...

[GymBag in reply to SELFMeder]

why?

Do you think we will run out?

[SELFMeder in reply to GymBag]

Not sure how long the PD meds can plug the PD dyke. So far, over the counter supplements + my physical ex routine and other interventions, namely Feldenkrais and deep tissue massage, have kept the PD beast at bay.

..

[GymBag in reply to SELFMeder]

Thats great. Just a note. We do not " succumb to PD" by taking medication and it is very difficult to hide especially from persons with physical therapy backgrounds. The mask is a frozen face that seldom smiles, never blinks and stays the same. When you start taking some medication it will diminish for a while. The hands may shake at rest when you are not doing anything with them , difficult to hide and control . Your voice becomes softer and you may walk with a strange gate that try as you will , will not go away.

The process of hiding the symptoms is called DENIAL. Denial is a part of the healing process mentally just like being told that you are going to die , you must come to grips with it before you can move on and plan for the future.

I know the following will be a shock to you. SELFMeder You are going to die. I can state that with absolute certainty.