The wide range of symptoms for Parkinson's Disease are generally divided into 2 categories - "Motor" or primary symptoms, and "Non-Motor" or secondary symptoms. The motor symptoms are what's visible to everyone and the obvious signs of PD: resting tremor in the arms, legs or chin, rigidity or stiffness, slowness in movement, balance problems, walking problems which include decreased arm swing and shuffling steps. The secondary symptoms are what you can't see: Anxiety and depression, memory problems, apathy, cognitive difficulties, fatigue, insomnia, constipation, lightheadedness, urinary frequency, numbness or tingling, sexual dysfunction...just to name a few. This blog will focus more on the "Non-Motor" since I've had them all !
I spent Labor Day weekend in NYC visiting friends from Chicago. I had mentioned to them in an earlier email that I was pretty good during the day, but not so good at night. Sort of a "sundowning" effect. I actually did much better than I expected - even J. mentioned it - so I felt good about that. I still dread friends seeing me in an "off-state", especially as my face tends to stiffen up, making it difficult to talk. But I continued on, popping extra doses of carbidopa/levodopa before going out to the movies, or a late dinner, or an evening walk. I was so happy to be with A & H, that it lessened my symptoms. Laughter and stimulating conversation can do wonders.
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