Not giving up !

[zadok459]

How do you find the balance between accepting your Parkinson's symptoms without quitting or giving up. Fighting cause so much stress and anxiety. It is if my body produces adrenaline automatically to prevent symptoms - which leave me tense. Any advice??

[MBAnderson]

That's a tough one. We go through a process of denial, anger, grief, eventually growth, and finally acceptance. It's a real struggle to achieve acceptance, but that may be the only way we can find a modicum of peace. We used to be somebody else, but now we are a PWP. Even so, you are still the good person you have always been.

[Enidah]

This is a fascinating topic and one that I have mulled over. I broke a bone in my foot the end of May and so consequently had about 8 weeks of forced relaxation. I thought all my anxiety came from PD but with this situation I realized a good deal of it comes from that voice in my head that says walk, hike, bicycle, anything to outrun the PD! Since this is a very real help in controlling symptoms I am left with that voice and keep moving as the anxiety to control symptoms motivates me. Perhaps one day I will sit down with a sigh and say, oh f*** it. But not yet, not today.

[zadok459 in reply to Enidah]

Ver true - the noise in your head about regretting - keeping it up - exercising harder and faster. Notallowing you the inevitable - symptoms

[Asbhai]

My experience shows that falling into some kind of addiction gives relief from stress and anxiety and Begin to live life in compartmentsAlso The state of affairs maybe they can as thewill of Almighty Almighty Almighty God

[rebtar]

If you find a solution to this, do post it!!!

I get tired of pushing myself to do the things I believe I need to do, to stay healthy with PD. So far, it's worked pretty well, with slow progression. But it's tiresome. Feels like my freedom to choose what I want to do has been taken away. I've gotten a bit more flexible, on occasion doing less exercise that I usually do, or eating a treat I usually avoid. That has helped, being less rigid while continuing to do the things I believe are helpful. My anxiety has decreased, but isn't gone. I'm making a point of having fun as much as I can. After all, even if PD has given me a lot of work, I also deserve to have fun! I agree it's about finding a balance. You can't fight your symptoms. Fight as much as you like, they'll still be there. So finding a stance that's committed to your wellbeing, but not fighting? Something like that...

[Despe in reply to rebtar]

So true. My husband feels the same way. He is miserable because he can't have "junk" foods he had occasionally, but has to eat/do the right things to slow the progression of PD. He has high hopes that B1 is going to give him his life back, and I believe it's working. Patience is the key, but sometimes I feel so overwhelmed that I don't know what to do. I have done everything I could to help my husband.

[Erniediaz1018 in reply to Despe]

B1 all the way... I've been on it just a few days and I've noticed remarkable progress. Especially the dyskinesia has almost completely disappeared. 😁

[Despe in reply to Erniediaz1018]

So happy for you! My husband doesn't have dyskinesia. He only has RH and L thumb tremors, and a scooped posture although not bad. Hopefully, B1 will correct all your and my husband's symptoms. Patience!

[zadok459 in reply to rebtar]

Very good advice - I find it such a tiring engaging illness -it occupies you from the moment you go to the bathroom to tying your shoe laces and the exercise you di to fight back the symptoms. It slowly steals from you.

[ddmagee1]

Accepting it for what it is, keep moving, exercise, realize that one could have something much worse than PD ( like ALS ), stay positive, do not give in to negativity, and concentrate on what you are able to do, not on what you have lost or perceive to be losing! Reach out to others, who may need support. It is more of a blessing to give, than to receive. Find appreciation for the small details in life and know that you have the ability to not let this obstacle stand in the way of enjoying your life, as a person with PD.

[jeffmayer]

Do you exercise I find it a huge help cycling or CV work in a gym as regards to acceptance I think it just takes time unfortunately we have no choice we have to fight this shite condition and not let it win and beat you all the best

[ddmagee1 in reply to jeffmayer]

Exercise, range of motion, and resistance exercise is helpful, for me. Additionally, Dalcroze Eurythmics.

[alaynedellow]

Indeed a tough one. You have to accept as a) have no choice and b) accepting makes it easier to deal with. You have to give up what was and go with what is. Peace is wonderful but sometimes elusive. Mannitol has been superb in helping to get rid of apathy which helps me keep up exercise- yoga is fab for mind and body. I believe in being compassionate to myself and not be harsh when its a tough day, when physically i done in i feed my brain with mental stimulation. Accept the new you with love. Good luck

[zadok459 in reply to alaynedellow]

Thanks - good advice. I'm too hard on myself. I'm a former soldier - so weakness is difficult to accept and a 'mortal' wound difficult to ignore. BUT I'M ADAPTING - everyday is a learning curve

[rch21]

I have found that it is a fine line for me between accepting that I have this thing called PD and giving in to it. Over time, I have come to realize that the symptoms are just that - symptoms, not me. I exercise daily to try to keep some of them at bay (such as doing balancing exercises to retrain my nerves to maintain balance) and boxing to keep retraining eye-hand-foot coordination, etc. But I also have to remind myself that when my symptoms flare up in an off period, that I am not those symptoms - it is easy to lose confidence in going out to dinner, for example, if you knock over your water a few times and need help cutting meat. While in this case there are relatively easy work-arounds, such as order a pasta or casserole dish when out so it does not require cutting, there are things I have had to give in to like stopping driving that do not have such easy work-arounds.

This results in frequent re-examining my abilities, decisions, etc. and more risk of giving in. I guess, for me, it is a matter of both mentally and physically being aware of myself, accepting that there are some changes and will be more, but not giving in to PD and not letting the limitations define me - not always easy to do.

[ddmagee1 in reply to rch21]

Very well expressed. That's sorta how I handle it, too. PD does not define me.

[janers]

Thanks for posing this question! It's a great point to reflect upon. It's like life in general, accepting what it is and yet working for something better. Keep your chin up and your face towards the sun! Let the shadows fall behind you, and smile. You're beautiful just the way you are.

[jeffmayer]

exercise and fighting back I find are the only two ways of dealing with this horrible condition when I exercise I find the adrenaline it poroduces beneficial for me I do prefer cycling on the road I feel you can gauge your effort more rest afterwards is important just not to much otherwise I feel I will go backwards again undoing all the good I have just achieved by exercise acceptance is part of the process

[zadok459]

Thanks I also exercise and walk every day. I've recently added photbiomodulation