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Dolores, I have read the other responses to your e-mail, and agree with the comments. The only thing I would like to add is on the topic of physical exercise. I was diagnosed 2 years ago at age 58. Although I didn't have as difficult time as you are having dealing with the medications, I do deal with pain every day. However, I have found that exercise is a great help in coping with PD. It not only helps in physical ways, but plays a key role in maintaining a positive attitude. I found it important to disregard what others are doing, and to work out what types and amount of physical exercise are best for me. I started somewhat slowly, and that required patience (not easy for me). There are days it is really tough, but I find that I feel better if I exercise anyway. In your case, it would not be necessary or desirable to try to equal the pace your husband has set. A much less demanding routine would probably be appropriate. I would assume your husband would be supportive. If you do start an exercise program, it would be wise to consult with your doctor. Dave Bergford 60 now / 58 dx./ 55 onset [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dolores Buente" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2002 10:34 AM Subject: My husband's turning into the "Energizer Rabbit" > I'll try to keep this brief but I have a situation that I'm wondering if > anyone else has dealt with. To explain: I am 59. I have had PD symptoms > approx. 4 years prior to diagnosis. After running from neurologists to > rheumatologist to sport's clinician to chiropractors over a 3 year period, I > was finally dx'd with PD about 4 months ago. When the diagnosis came I was > ,of course, in shock but one of the many things that ran through my mind was > "Now, I can let down some. I have a name to a physical disorder that is > real. I don't have to feel so guilty about being a little slower than > everyone else around me. I have a reason for some occasional complaints > about aches & pains. I don't have to feel so lazy when I need to take a nap". > > Well, now I find myself in a strange situation..."while I'm turning into > Grandma Moses, my husband's turning into the Energizer Rabbit." He too has > some health problems, high blood pressure & borderline diabetic. He has been > controlling the diabetes with exercise & that's great but since my diagnosis, > he seems to be flying around here like "Superman". He goes to the health > club 3 days a week (his usual routine) but now has added his volleyball > league on Monday night, goes to church to walk 3 mornings a week and just > started Tuesday night basketball/volleyball. All the while, I'm feeling like > a "schlump" because I don't always feel like making the church walking > program. > > He accompanied me to my visit to my neuro this week. I am taking Requip > which, at first, made me sleepy all the time. Now I'm also getting used to a > new drug "Neurontin" which makes me feel like I've been on a 3 day drinking > binge. Between the Requip, the Neurontin and the generalized fatigue that > goes with PD, I'm having some frustrating days where I sleep a whole lot or > just mope around "spaced out". Now, the crux of the problem is: My husband is > sitting there listening while my neuro is telling me to keep active. That I > must work through the pain. He uses the example that he walks 7 miles 3x's a > week even when he doesn't feel like it. Ugh! > I would like to pump him full of drugs till he can't see straight, tie a rope > around one of his legs and insert a red hot poker into his left hip and ask > him to demonstrate his walking program. > Well, the long & short of the story is that along with the PD "label" does > not come automatic permission to give up or let down. So...if anyone else > has experienced a similar situation I'd like to hear how they handled it. > P.S. I do not mean to make it sound as if my husband is not supportive and > caring. He is! I know he wants the best for me & is probably using his > activity as an inspiration & motivation for me. But, right now, it is > backfiring & is just kind of making me feel like a deadbeat. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn