If you only knew how superstitious I am, and how wary of commentators curse. Still, man up Winnie, and tell it as it is
Last night Sue and I went to the PMU - our local bar where our ex-pat friends hang out. I explained that my CBD oils, which I ordered more than 3 weeks ago, had at last arrived - but I wasn't planning on taking them. For 2 reasons
1) They are prohibited by the PRX002 trial I am hoping to join next year, and if I can, I want to join that trial
2) Although I ordered them in a bit of a flap after my return from the UK because I appeared to be deteriorating rapidly to the point where it might interfere with my work, and I wanted to try CBD oils before Sinemet, - actually today, and for the last week or so, I feel really good.
So, this morning I pointed out to Sue that it was 12 months since my symptoms prompted me to see a neurologist (the appointment was in March, but tremors and persistent loss of smell prompted me to seek that appointment in December), and I was going to go on to say that at the very worst, progress had been slower than I feared, and whilst it was a mixed outcome, on balance, maybe I wasn't much worse.
I was interrupted by her saying "and you're much improved from a year ago". Of course, she isn't me, and can't know how I feel, but she has a case. Maybe, on balance, I am better than last December.
It has been a far from linear path, with notable low points in March, around the time of diagnosis, June - just before my sons wedding, and November (the last visit to the UK). There is a pattern to that - the 3 low points were when I lapsed the "management regime" or was disrupted by antibiotics
THE MANAGEMENT ROUTINE
Stress management (Sue insists I put this one first. But that is because tremor is a visible symptom. Still, I agree it is fundamental)
Exercise - my daily hour long, vigorous dog walk in the mountains. I want to build on this. I may buy a multigym (I will investigate the gym in Limoux, but its no David Lloyd Kings Hill. I miss my old gym and tennis club). Maybe that was holding PD at bay before I came out here to France
Nutrition / Diet. Focussed in my case primarily on microbiome management, with an eye to minimising restrictions, and as far as possible avoiding "unnatural restrictive diets" (like keto). I think this is working. It pretty much fits with the "food for thought" post. I will be interested to get my poo test results, hopefully early January, although I may well do another soon. I think I may have been a bit trigger happy and tested whilst things were still a bit disrupted down there. Among my reasons for saying "I feel really good" during December, has been spot on, regular A1 pooping! Planned enhancements are to fry a bit less, cut back alcohol a bit, and lose another 7kg (more exercise will also help here)
I feel this calls for a celebration - We'll go to the glacier, the bar where our French friends hang out, and order blanquette de Limoux. And take some mince pies down (just one can't hurt!)
Merry Christmas