Parkinson's Get Together

Today was our once a month Parkinson’s support group meeting, I do enjoy the time we spend together. There is no one who understands a Parkie Person like another Parkie Person, we can laugh about our symptoms, chat about are medication and brag about things we have managed to accomplish.

Today our local Parkinson’s nurse came to have a chat, I say local he works from Lincoln hospital which is about 40 miles away.

Not as many members today but that didn’t stop the ones there from asking a lot of questions.

I found out why my Neurologist told me not to lose weight, it seems the new thought is that we should take into account our weight when sorting out the amount of medication that we need. I suppose its common sense when you think about it.

I have now taken the next step in reducing my Requip from today I am on 8mg in a morning that makes it 12mg lower than my highest. YES.

So long as I can do the things I want to hands wise I am happy. Just got to remember to take those pills on time which is not the easiest of things, if my watch starts beeping and I am in the middle of something I think I will just finish then get them, then it’s usually a BUM BUM BUM an hour later.  In fact it’s a good job that I put the days tablets in a pill box so that I can see if I have taken them or not.

Neurologist then Mr Sedaka

Last Tuesday it was my second visit to my new Neurologist, he gives me a feeling of complete confidence.

I was weighed and had my blood pressure done which I don’t remember happening to me before. I realised that he was watching me from the minute he saw me and was aware of everything.

Medication has been tweaked a bit more so let’s hope things will get a bit easier. I am also pleased to say I drove the 30 odd miles to see him and felt great.

I was good though I let my friend drive back I know she likes to get behind the wheel of my car. My car has smart unlocking which means as long as I have the key about my person or in my bag it will open, so it is a bit of a joke between us that I let her drive but don’t let her have the keys.

Well Thursday I gave in and gave her the spare key the least I could do as we went to Nottingham to see NEIL SEDAKA wow and an extra WOW. It was a great concert, the supporting act was probably no the right one and I think people were getting a bit restless but as soon as Neil came on the atmosphere was electric.

He sang all the songs that I had rock and rolled to way back in the 60’s. Oh Carol, Happy birthday sweet 16, and Calendar girl just three of a long list that brings back so many memories. His new stuff is just as good and of course I bought a C.D.

We had a great time, why has it taken me until I’m nearly 65 to go to a concert? I want more.

I sat next to a very nice man but true to my drop in Requip I didn’t get involved, not much flirting and I didn’t even find out his name.  

When I was at the neurologist he said I had lost weight and he thought I should try to put it back on again about half a stone. I quite like myself a bit slimmer so to go to the concert I dug out a dress that I have only wore a couple of times as it was a bit tight and it fitted. The daft thing is that the zip is in the side and as it has short sleeves and is very,very fitted it’s not the easiest of dresses to get on. That also makes it not the easiest to get off.

It was a good job my friend and I were sharing a room as I would probably have had to sleep in it, Parky was no help what so ever in fact the more I tried the more he hindered so it was J to the rescue. Thank you so much J. I will even let you have the keys again. (Especially if we can go to another concert)

The Real Me???

Next week I go to see the neurologist again and report on my attempt to cut down on requip. I have not managed to get down to the 8mg that he would have liked but 10mg doesn’t seem too bad. It was a bit of a no go trying to get down any more. Parky sure made his presence known he was back like he had never been away, in fact I can’t remember ever being quite so stiff and not in control of my limbs.

I have yo-yoed a bit going down to 10 back up to 12 then after a week trying the 10 again so let’s hope that I can manage to come down the last 2mg. Think I will leave it till after my appointment.

I am not quite as dextrous as I would like to be, but on the plus side last night I was in bed and asleep by 10.30. I woke about every hour but turned over and went back to sleep.

This morning I have excelled myself I have cleaned windows with the help of my latest gadget, a steam cleaner. It is incredible I have steamed the kitchen, the bathroom, the shower room, freshened carpets. It takes a bit of juggling when my hands are not doing what I want them too, but I managed and that’s a very satisfying feeling.

I hope the light at the end of the tunnel is at last a reality, perhaps the real me is not as far away as I had thought.