Sinemet Sucks

Sinemet worked for almost 2 months when all of a sudden I got curley clenching toes on my left foot aka dystonia. I reduced the dose and its no where near as painful. Im ready to try a new drug. I still go to taichi and struggle, but feel so much better afterwards. For some Sinemet is a Godsend...not me folks.

Ballroom Dancing

Restarted my dance classes today at Hoag. Drove myself and had good energy for the return trip, which is improvement right there. Several months ago I wouldnt think of doing a 1.5 hr dance class and transport myself in the middle of the day ( usually a low point energy wise ). Been having incredible tightness in my top of the left foot, making walking tougher. But I managed the foxtrot ok but kind of had difficulty with the mechanics of it because of the smaller steps and choppy speed. The tango was incredibly more successful and my teacher was amazed. Being it is the more difficult of the two.

MEDS AND TAIJI UPDATE

Ive been on my happy pills ( Sinemet ) since Dec. 4 of 09. I see some difference in hand coordination ( way nicer handwriting, aa renewal of cross-stitching, ability and increased desire to prepare food that has to be cut up, etc. ). I have been more confident driving places, experiencing excellent coordination and strength handling the steering wheel. Ive made several solo trips for grocery shopping annd taiji class. Walking without toe curling,or without leaning forward is something that I have to pay attention to constantly. Im doing a 45 minute daily taiji dvd on my own and 2 times a week taiji classes. Yesterday, during class I almost started crying because I was able to walk in a straight line while executing the first four moves of the shadow form. I see increased overall well being but dont think its any one strategy that makes it possible. Im still believing in recovery of some degree, but it will take years. Improving balance and walking gait is my focus.

Green Tea ( Matcha ) and Parkinsons

I love Matcha pwdered green tea 2 to 3 times a day. This attached website mentions neuroprotective qualities regarding PD. I buy it online or at Japaanese markets. The best is grown in the Kyoto Ugi Region..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_tea#Japanese_green_teas

Recovery ?

Like I said, Ive been 6 0r 7 yrs with PD symptoms aaand almost 5 yrs since diagnosed. I was thinking this morning that the very first symptom was irregularity followed by loss of smell and the micrographia ( writing small ). The smell came baack about 6 months ago, the micrographia is gone ( I still write slowly and unsmoothly cause of tremor ) and the irregularity is almost gone. Recovery is damn slow if this is what it is. Is it changed thought forms ? Is it the rehydration Aquaas formulas?? Does a problem like PD run its course for some but not others, like aa cold or flu? When I first devloped freezing, 2 yrs ago, it greattly hampered mobility flow in the hoouse but strangely enough not outside. I told myself I would probably take 2 yrs to figure out a strategy, and Im still working on it. It is complicated by baalance and this sstooped posture which Im always correcting. Will these 3 newer symptoms run their courses too? The first 3 symptoms gone away give hope.

Timing

I want to write about timing. I get up witth lotts of enrgy and enthusiasm for the day but find approx 6 hrs from arising Im resting because Im running out of energy. A sign that I better sit is I walk poorly and have to really think bout moving. So I slowly recover from about 3 pm on till about 7 or 8 pm. Here's what a day is like..And I alwayss pick 3 tasks to do in my mind the night before. I find looking forward to an activity is rewarding.

Up at 8 - 9 am
15 -20 mins yoga
8 or 9 am to 2 - 3 pm kitchen chores,breakfst,office,other tasks,shower and anything else before I start fading.
2 or 3 till 4 or 5 pm I meditate, listen to classical music, read, do soduko oor chrochet. Mostly I just sit and breathe..
Dinner is between 5 and 6 or 7...rest and breath right after..
7-8 Im doing elliptical machine and bike, tthen aa short 10--15 min dog stroll....
8-9 or so its tv time or reading or music listening.
11- 12 its bed prep, light yoga etc

Timing is everything

Progress With Parkinsons Update

Where do I begin..It's almost been 5 yrs since diagnosis. I'm still not on drugs but have an appointmennt Dec. 3 with a new neurologist to begin drugs. It's time. My regimine right now is stress management, diet and exercise. I still drive, fix meals, do chores. But all physical movement as was before is slow now. I'm not on auto pilot any longer and actually have to think about all movement. It's exhausting somewhat but I like the challenge of devising different strategies for doing different things. It reminds me of flying in a way. I never realized how magnificant the brain is for allowing me to do the physical things I did before without great effort. Now I'm super thankful for each and every intricate movement my body does. Like it's a big deal for me to handwrite. Typing is sloth speed. Dressing is ridiculously slow. I freeze in my steps alot inside the house but outside I walk pretty normal. Balance sucks. I do qi gung and yoga for that. Weights help alot. Yep, I'm reaady for meds alright !