Explain festination please

[kaypeeoh]

Can someone explain festination? Last winter I would walk on a hilly half-mile track while wearing a backpack with a 30# weight. On snowy inclines I'd get an urge to turn around or at least walk backwards. At a Zoom examination I explained this sign and the doc responded that it's festination.

Recently walking up stairs I'd have to grab the railing to make it to the top landing. But if I add mental focus by visualizing my foot on the stair then on putting one foot forward, then the other til reaching the top I don't have the urge to reverse steps or walk backwards. I seem to need awareness of the steps while in the past muscle memory would propel me up the steps without conscious thought.

So can someone explain what's going on? Is it rooted in the semicircular canals or other parts of the vestibular system.

I quit using Sinemet a month ago. I didn't feel any effects from the drugs; Dominant hand tremor was unchanged, Handwriting was dismal unless doing a crossword puzzle. Something about the individual squares made it easier to be somewhat legible.

Thanks,

kpo

[sharoncrayn]

Leaving aside your presumed former winter exploits, in my 2 support groups I coordinate your situation is often encountered, but usually we don't term it "festination".

It is a "conundrum" in the sense your gait can be faster (often slower), but with smaller, shuffling steps, and as a result you are actually covering less ground even though you think you are not.

The "backwards" part may seem odd to some, but it is probably attributable to your mind which perceives a change in your center of gravity as your PD progresses. Compensation you might say.

Some our neurologists we work with suggest this gait issue is a biomarker for PD dementia/cognitive decline. Somewhat debatable IMO.

Or is it an issue of "Stenosis"? Have it checked. Might be.

Sharon