First, we went skiing yesterday. First time in 2 years. I had a couple of Parkie moments and had to give myself a stern talking to. But we had a great day.
Now for the awkward segue. This is about a comment I made 2 or 3 or 4 weeks ago about positive thinking. I quoted a Paul Mckenna book, "change your life in 7 days"
The quote was "whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're probably right"
Later that weekend I was on Marc's zoom meeting and trying to fix my poor audio quality. I dig out a shure sm57 - if it's good enough for POTUS...
This led to me showing my log cabin office and someone noticed and asked about my piano
So I explained I'd only taken it up relatively recently because I could no longer play guitar. My left hand just wouldn't join in. Too weak, too slow, and, most difficult to get grips with not moving as far as I thought.
So I explained that whereas the left hand was essential for guitar it could just plonk a bass note on piano
But I was haunted by "whether you think you can..."
The one that really depressed me was a jazz accompaniment to Sue singing "Summertime" it used to be so relaxed and easy. I just couldn't make the chord changes. By seconds
To be fair, I have also been tweaking my meds.
But I set about telling myself I can
And you know what. It took a bit of work, but I can play it again.
I've been playing guitar again 😁
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WinnieThePoo
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Good for you! The longer I live with PD, the more aware I am of the importance of my attitude. Another PwP commented that the phrase "It's all in your head" is literally true with Parkinson’s. Whether an improvement in my condition is placebo effect or actual improvement doesn't matter as much to me anymore. Improvement is improvement and I will take it any way I can get it. Invariably, as you say, "If I think I can or I think I can't, I am probably right." Congratulations on meaningfully improving your enjoyment of life!
Careful. It's not a video. It's a rip of his hypnosis cd. Great if you're lying down somewhere safe with half an hour spare. Best listened to on headphones. The book is worth reading
Not really John. I think concentrating and believing I could do it if I just kept focusing on small steps, tiny improvements but always in the right direction were important.And for sure I notice the neuroplasticity effect. Practicing guitar (and piano) makes my hands work better.
But my 2 sides are very different and this is also a Sinemet story. I adjusted my meds and that has been transformative. Without Sinemet I couldn't do this no matter how much I concentrate.
The bradykinesia was so bad I couldn't make the chord changes at 25bpm never mind 80bpm.
Improved medication unlocked the door and a revised mental attitude took full advantage of it
"But my 2 sides are very different and this is also a Sinemet story. I adjusted my meds and that has been transformative. Without Sinemet I couldn't do this no matter how much I concentrate."
I was on 1mg pramipexole once a day and it wasn't enough. I noticed it particularly in a left hand that was nearly useless for touch typing.I added 120mg levadopa from macuna 3 times a day, 1 hour away from meals, when I remembered. That improved things a bit.
I changed neurologist and the new guy put me on 0.5mg pramipexole twice a day and sinemet 10/100 morning and lunchtime. Better. For a few days really promising, but then I had some left hand tremor, toe curling and biceps pain. So I went to sinemet 10/100 AND 2 macuna 3 times a day
Really, I want sinemet 25/100 and I am going to discuss this with my neurologist on Thursday
Meantime I trialed the 0.5mg pramipexole twice a day with 2x10/100 sinemet 3 times a day and that is about right
However, I was on the new regime a month when I explained why I played piano instead of guitar. And I would pick the guitar up at least a couple of times a week and shake my head in disappointment that I could no longer play it - when my left hand was touch typing just fine.
As Jim noted - this Parkinsons Disease is all in the mind. Well, attitude makes a significant and important difference.
Interesting i used to provide entertainment to care and residential homes and have had to stop due to erratic strumming on guitar courtesy of PD also fingers sticking on clarinet....the instructions just don't properly get through to my right arm and hand
They increased my madopar and within days i was bed bound with nausea and a splitting headache that would not go...lasted several weeks so......back on a minimum dose now
I love this post. I feel inspired by your attitude, your actions and by all the fun things you are doing. Way to go! Luckily, I also respond to l/c and I have windows of time where I can do things. But I need to challenge myself and try some new things. Cheers
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