Dealing with Parkinson's Disease

If you live with Parkinson's disease (PD), you may have noticed something frustrating: your symptoms seem to get worse when you're stressed. A difficult conversation. A doctor's appointment. Being late. A crowded restaurant. An argument. A family problem. Even something as simple as trying to get out the door on time. Suddenly, your hands may shake more. Your muscles feel tighter. Walking becomes harder. Your voice may change. You may feel frozen-or just feel like your medication isn't working as well as it normally does. You're not imagining it. Stress doesn't cause Parkinson's disease, but stress and anxiety can temporarily amplify many of the symptoms people with PD already deal with. The Parkinson's-Stress Connection When we're under stress, our bodies automatically switch into "fight-or-flight" mode. The sympathetic nervous system kicks in, releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. That's useful when you need to react qu...

If you use social media products like Facebook, etc. then I'm sure you've seen the chain messages about various causes and topics.  Asking all friends to copy and paste the message and write done in the comments below.  Usually just a waste of bandwidth but when chugging a cup of coffee this morning I decided to repost this one about invisible illness and awareness. I hear it a lot, "you don't look sick". News media adds fuel to this by stalking handicap parking spots for drivers who don't look like they need help. Trust me.  The illness is real and many symptoms are indeed invisible. My point is on the outside you can appear in top condition, ready for anything but inside you're struggling to be out of bed.  Your ignorant jokes and snickering makes you appear even dumber, if that is possible.  Here is one of the messages that circulates around the worldwide web. Don't feel obligated. walked in our shoes and have felt the pain we feel, keep your cruel ...

Carly Simon shares Parkinson’s Disease and Cancer Diagnoses, Explains Yearslong Absence: ‘I Have Not Stopped Living' Carly Simon is opening up about her private health struggles. The “You’re So Vain” singer, 83, has Parkinson’s disease, she revealed July 27 in a statement obtained by PEOPLE; in the same statement, the music icon also announced that she underwent surgery for basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, amid her Parkinson’s diagnosis and treatment. So many people have written to me, kindly wondering about my relative silence, asking how I am and what I have been doing. The truth is, I’ve been learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease. It has taken me some time to understand the diagnosis, to adjust to it, and to decide how much I wanted to say about it publicly. Parkinson’s is different for everyone, and it can be unpredictable. Some days I’m so tired I can’t get the day moving at all. On others, it gives me a little more room to move, think, work, and feel like ...

Did you know that Patient Advocate Foundation offers financial help for nearly 150 disease-specific and health equity funds? With a TotalAssist grant from PAF, you can choose how you’d like to use your assistance to cover eligible healthcare costs—including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, office visit charges the day of treatment, and administration charges related to treatment. If you’re struggling to afford healthcare costs, check out their eligibility tool to see if you qualify for assistance today: TotalAssist.org

  The HEALTHY BRAINS Act (H.R. 7779) is a bipartisan effort to strengthen federal action on brain health and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. It would create new research centers focused on toxic exposures, prevention, education, and national data sharing. Tell Congress to support the HEALTHY BRAINS Act in order to:   • Strengthen collaboration among researchers, health professionals, patients and caregivers • Improve education on reducing toxic exposures and environmental risks  • Expand research training and prevention strategies  • Build national data infrastructure to drive solutions Your voice matters. Learn more and take action today: http://apda.link/HR7779 #Parkinsons #PDResearch #PDAwareness #ParkinsonsDisease #NeurologicalDisorders #Neurology #Neurological  reposted from APDA

 I blacked out 7 times recently. I think due to a new medication.  So on Monday I saw a new MDS. She said the orthostatic hypotension is very serious and put it at the top of my list.. prescribed a med to raise blood pressure. #1  priority. My concern is will it give me high blood pressure if my b.p. is normal? Orthostatic hypotension — also called postural hypotension — is a form of low blood pressure that happens when standing after sitting or lying down. Orthostatic hypotension can cause dizziness or lightheadedness and possibly fainting. Orthostatic hypotension can be mild. Episodes might be brief. However, long-lasting orthostatic hypotension can signal more-serious problems. It's important to see a health care provider if you frequently feel lightheaded when standing up.

Me when medications are working: Me when meds don’t work or wear off: