Most people will agree that driving gives them a sense of independence. After all, people use driving to run errands such as grocery shopping, or to “get away from it all.”

Driving in our culture is as natural as breathing and therefore, it is no wonder that losing the ability to drive has a huge impact on daily life. Older senior citizens will face this situation at some point in their lives. However, some people lose the ability to drive due to other reasons, like a disability.

Parkinson’s disease afflicts people in their younger years as well as when they are senior citizens.  Age is not necessarily the factor that causes problems with driving. In this case, Parkinson’s disease symptoms will be a deciding factor for being a safe driver or not.

Think about it, there are times when Parkinson’s disease patients have difficulty with stiffness in their limbs, which may cause problems when they move their foot from the brake to the accelerator. Not to mention the difficulty of split-second decision making for patients who deal with cognitive problems. There is also the issue of “sleep attacks” that can occur suddenly in some patients. It goes without saying that this can be a very dangerous issue.

So when should a Parkinson’s patient stop driving? The answer will vary for every patient. A good rule of thumb is if the patient’s symptoms are steadily becoming worse, it might be time to suggest a driving test at your local DMV.

In any event, talk with your neurologist and bring a family member with you so that all questions can be addressed.

Source: 

Neurology Now, July/Aug 2008 

  Dr. OkunJoined: 19 Jan 2007Posts: 251Location: University of Florida
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:07 am Post subject:

Thanks for the post, we prefer to get the drivers test at a rehab center where in some cases they may be able to offer some help. It is important to have a low threshold to get checked!_________________Michael S. Okun, M.D.

Tags: Discussion, Exercise, Medication, Symptoms by heroteo
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Here are ten things you may not know about Parkinson’s disease:

• It is a disease that occurs in the middle or late life. Its peak age of onset is in the 60s (range is 36 to 86 years).

• More than one million individuals are afflicted by Parkinson disease in the United States of America.

• Risk factors for developing Parkinson’s disease are a strong family history of the disease, male gender, head injury, exposure to pesticides, consumption of well water, and rural living.

• Factors associated with decreased incidence of Parkinson’s disease are coffee drinking, smoking, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and estrogen replacement treatment in women who are postmenopausal.

• Tremor (shakes) associated with Parkinson’s disease is most pronounced in the hands. It is most marked at rest and it is typically a ‘pill rolling’ of thumb over fingers.

• A person with Parkinson’s disease may not have tremor; making diagnosis particularly difficult in such individuals.

• There is never total paralysis; although this is implied by the name of the disease. It is common to find tremor, rigidity, bradykinesis (slowness), and loss of postural reflexes.

• One-third of all persons affected will eventually develop intellectual deterioration (also known as dementia).

• Despite the progressive nature of the disease, much can be achieved with good medical management, and sufferers may continue for years to live effective, happy lives in spite of this affliction.

• An important part of any treatment program is the maintenance of optimum general health and planned exercise program, activity and rest. Formal exercises regulating posture and harmonizing this with mental strength can help mobility enormously- example Chinese qigong.

Dr. OkunJoined: 19 Jan 2007Posts: 251Location: University of Florida
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:10 am Post subject:

Thanks for the post. I removed the drug advertisement, as we are an information only board, Thanks again._________________Michael S. Okun, M.D.

Tags: Discussion, General, Medication, Symptoms by heroteo
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Dear Doctor,
I was diagnosed as a Parkinson’s patient in the year of 2005.
Besides medications I do exercises in the gym daily. I spend two hours in the gym and I have two personnel trainers who help me to strenghten my physical mobility and body flexibilities.
I do yoga,body combat,pump, Box and kick exercise and cardio training.
I am normal and don’t look like anything is wrong actually had been told by my doctor, physical trainers and members of my family. Though it is expensive to battle.
Is Parkinson’s not a bad disease and is so easy to control?
TeoKimHoe

PeterMidJoined: 20 Jun 2008Posts: 12
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:30 am Post subject:

Teokimhoe

You are joking, aren’t you? I excercise as much as my PD allows, and that isn’t very far, I’m afraid. A walk of 150 metres is about my limit, and even then, my legs are on fire and the Oedeema is bursting eruptions through my skin. Dbviously, you work hard on your personnal fitness and I admire you for that, but to suggest PD is not a bad pox is a little extreme. What about my Diabetes? Is that not a bad disease too? Pokermid

PeterMidJoined: 20 Jun 2008Posts: 13
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:32 am Post subject:

Oh, and by the way Teokimhoe. In the UK, personnal fitness trainers charge £50 per hour 2 x trainers for 2 hours = £200 GBP or $400 USD 7 Days = £1400 GBP or $2800 USD 1 Year = £72,800 or $145,600 USD pokermid
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teokimhoeJoined: 03 Mar 2007Posts: 106Location: Malaysia
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:59 am Post subject:

Dear Pokermid Am I joking? Certainly not. It’s obvious that you did not get the gist of my message, do you? The point is that for people suffering from PD, you could at least have the option of adjusting your lifestyle to control the advancement of the disease. Working out regularly and correctly is a way of slowing down the effect of the disease. As compared to other diseases, whose advancement are somewhat beyond your control, eg. cancer whereby save and except for very few, you will die pretty soon. In such a sense, definitely PD is a “better” disease to have. Of course given the choice, nobody would want to be suffering from any disease right? If 150 metres is your limit, I pity you. Obviously you have not been taking care of yourself well enough. Diabetes is again a result of your lifestyle. That is your own choice!!! It obvious that your lifestyle has been downright unhealthy. Too much sugar intake eh?? Working out in the gym is again an option. If you can’t afford it, you can always work out elsewhere. Nobody says that working out must be limited to the gym or expensive!! My advice to you is grab a hold of your life and turn it around, rather than displaying such negative attitude. Embark on a healthier lifestyle and you will see the results._________________

CatsPajamasJoined: 06 Aug 2008Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: geez…

Perhaps this forum should be monitored. I can see why so few post here. The tone is confrontive, to say the very, very least.
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From my experience, I have learnt that all Parkinson’s patient is different from each other, in many aspects such as symptomatology, rate of disease progression and response to treatment. Managing my Parkinson’s patients has been made easier by respecting the differences between each Parkinson’s patients - there are no “two Parkinson’s patients who are identical”. One day, a man came to my clinic and asked me why his 62-year-old wife, who suffered from Parkinson’s, could hardly walk despite having the illness for only four years. “I read an article in the newspaper which described how an elderly Parkinson’s patient, who had been having the illness for twelve years, was doing some rather strenous exercises in a gym. How come my wife can’t do even 5% of this exercise?” he commented. As I have treated his wife for about six years, I could easily understand why she behaved so differently from the other “super-fit” Parkinson’s patient. His wife suffered from severe anxiety and depression, while her Parkinson’s was actually quite mild. In other words, what “crippled” her was her mood disorder, and not the Parkinson’s. Almost all the time, she would just lie on the bed or sit on a chair. Whenever her husband tried to help her to stand up, she would complain of dizziness and feeling like falling down. In addition, she had numerous other symptoms such as blurring of vision, numbness of hands, palpitation, etc (which were the symptoms of anxiety). Her social life was almost zero - she stayed at home all the time and even refused to follow her children to the restaurant. Thus, an important factor that contributes to the varying response to treatment is co-existing psychiatric disorders. Most Parkinson’s patients have anxiety or depression or both, in varying degrees, which I think are partly due to difficulty in accepting their illness (i.e. Parkinson’s). Some Parkinson’s patients are devastated by Parkinson’s while others are crippled by the psychiatric disorders (anxiety / depression). Unfortunately, psychiatric disorders in PD are very often neglected by both the patients and doctors. Mr Teo is fortunate that he does not have any psychiatric disorder. In fact, he has a very unusually “outgoing” personality, which most Parkinson’s patients do not have. Mr. Teo is an optimistic person who has accepted his Parkinson’s, and he always tries his best to cope with his illness. It is this “optimistic” personality that has made him so different from other Parkinson’s patients. Dr Chew Nee Kong, Kuala Lumpur.

wheelersceJoined: 02 Mar 2007Posts: 503Location: MI
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:11 am Post subject:

Hi, CatsPajamas, Its true that this exchange seems confrontive. But like any group of people, we on this forum have a range of personalities and styles. Please add to the discussion, the way you would like to see it. I’d like to know you better–haven’t seen you post before. Sue W.

cfinlaysonJoined: 29 Jun 2007Posts: 125
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:16 am Post subject:

Hi CatsPajamas, It is nice to see your name on this forum. Like Sue said, this forum has a range of personalities, but we have all agreed to disagree at times. When it comes down to it, we do lean on each other to help us through the hard times. Some of us lean on the Lord and some of us have other ways of dealing with this disease, but we are all in it together. I know that I keep us all in my prayers every night. So please, post and let us know more about you. Candy
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wheelersceJoined: 02 Mar 2007Posts: 513Location: MI
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:57 am Post subject:

Gautam, I was very disturbed by this response to Peter. Whether Teokimhoe or Dr. Chew wrote it, pouring out guilt on us PWPs is hardly the best encouragement. Good to see you. Sue W.
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PeterMidJoined: 20 Jun 2008Posts: 17
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:46 pm Post subject:

No more Heroes No need to worry about Pokermid, Teo’s a hero right out of the ID. Could he be Batman, crusader of right Maybe Darth Vader whose just seen the light. Silver with surfboard? Or is he the Thing? Mr Fantastic with his rubber ding!!! What of the Lantern with green in his eyes, Or is he Clark Kent without his disguise? Could he be Hulkster who bounds through the air, Is he the Devil in red and can Dare. No-one can see the invisible man, Only Sue Richards who probably can. Is he the X-man we know as Cyclops, Is he Dick Fosbury with his famous flops. What about Spidey who likes spinning webs, Or is he James Bond who romances Debs. Could he be Torchy who “flames on” in 4, Could be a Viking that we know as Thor. OR IS HE Homer, the Simpson not Greek, Eating a donut like a little geek What is the matter with Teokimhoe, Or is he really American Joe. Chip on his shoulder? It sounds like to me, Who is this Hero? Oh who could it be? Pokerman
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PeterMidJoined: 20 Jun 2008Posts: 17
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject:

he’s probably just a “Family guy”
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teokimhoeJoined: 03 Mar 2007Posts: 108Location: Malaysia
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:50 am Post subject:

The main purpose of my entries is to share my experience with sufferers of PD, and to get across the message that you alone can make a difference to your life by turning it around, as in my case, exercising correctly. Everybody has their own ways of expression, some confrontational and some more diplomatic. But the intention still remains the same, that is to share my experience with the hope that it may help others. If you think this is a laughing matter by throwing scorn around and making fun of others, so be it. As far as I am concerned, this matter is closed._________________to help the PD patients aware the diseases and encourage to set up support groups to educate the patients and their immediate families
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Gautam Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 84 Location: Goa, India

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 12:26 am    Post subject: Teo, Sorry if I sounded rude in my post. While we all appreciate your contribution, you do have to keep in mind that PD symptoms and progression differs from person to person. While on one hand we have John Ball who participates in marathon runs despite having PD for almost 3 decades, we also have Peter and several others, including me, who have difficulty in exercising and walking. I used to walk 5 kms daily, today after walking less than half a Kilometre my ankles start twisting and gives away and I am unable to even return back home! What Peter was trying to point out was that PD is also an expensive disease, and not everybody can afford personal fitness trainers. Imagine my plight, we do not have Social security in India and the cost of medication, DBS, etc. has to be borne by the individual patients.If my MDS advices me to go in for a DBS surgery, I just cannot afford to have one as it costs almost Rs.500,000 in India! So lets appreciate and understand each other on this forum. kind regards Gautam quote=”teokimhoe”]The main purpose of my entries is to share my experience with sufferers of PD, and to get across the message that you alone can make a difference to your life by turning it around, as in my case, exercising correctly. Everybody has their own ways of expression, some confrontational and some more diplomatic. But the intention still remains the same, that is to share my experience with the hope that it may help others. If you think this is a laughing matter by throwing scorn around and making fun of others, so be it. As far as I am concerned, this matter is closed.[/quote]

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PatientsLikeMe Forum

http://www.patientslikeme.com/forum/show/20095?view=last#229639

Posted by Hero Teo at 5:00 PM

Tags: Discussion, Exercise, Medication, Symptoms by heroteo
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 have blood clot (T.I.A) recently.

My medications One dose Plavix Clopidognel 75mg and Zocor 20mg daily.
After my blood clot I am active in gym exercises and my agility and flexibility are increased. I take part weight lifting, Body combat, Box and Kick exercises and body pump daily

My questions are:

Any chances would I receive another stroke after receiving the  Plavix treatment (thinning my blood clot)?

Should I slowdown my gym exercises to prevent another stroke?

Is it true once you had a stroke it would come again (major stroke) within tw0 -three years?

How would prevent another stroke by medication, lifestyle and diets?

I was told that once you received the Plavix/aspirin medication you have to stop taking them for one to two weeks before any surgeries therapies on

Tags: Discussion, General, Medication by heroteo
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Daily exercise therapy is one of the best things that you can do for yourself to counteract the negative effects of Parkinson’s disease & other neurological & muscular disorders. A lack of physical activity reduces the amount of oxygen to the brain, contributes to further cell damage, loss of cognitive skills and muscle control.
Exercise brings additional oxygen & glucose to the brain, both of which are crucial to brain function. The body responds by forming new capillaries to bring the additional blood to nerve cells and by boosting brain chemicals that protect neurons and strengthen new neuronal connections. Remarkable results have been achieved, over time, with daily mental & physical exercise therapy. Mental concentration on repetitive physical movements can provide benefits to our muscles as well as our mental ability to control them.
When nerve cells are deprived of stimuli they atrophy, suggesting that stimulation of the central nervous system by physical activity may retard the loss of nerve cells in the brain and elsewhere. Exercise has been shown to enhance blood flow to various parts of the brain as well as to increase the speed with which nerve messages travel through the brain.
In addition to the effects of Parkinson’s, most people diagnosed with this disease are over the age of 50 and therefore are also experiencing the normal effects of aging.
However the good news is that we now know that most of the changes in our musculoskeletal system that were attributed to normal aging are in fact the result of inactivity and or insufficient physical exercise. The less physical activity and exercise we do the less capable we become.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Exercise has important benefits for everyone regardless of age or physical condition… When your condition threatens to immobilize you, Exercise keeps you moving… to retain your mobility & function, use it or lose it”.

As an exercise therapist for the Parkinson Assn. of S.W. Florida (a National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence), Susan Branco, a member of the National Council on Aging & the American Senior Fitness Association has seen first hand the positive results that her therapeutic exercise program has on participants in her classes.
Susan’s program is now available on video or DVD, for use in the privacy of your home. If you or someone you know has Parkinson’s disease, using this exercise program daily, can make a difference.
This seated exercise program was designed especially for people with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological or muscular disorders. An exercise program like this one should be a main component in your treatment plan. This tape offers stretching and strengthening routines that will help to minimize the negative effects that Parkinson’s disease and other neurological and muscular disorders can have on your body. Using this tape regularly will help to improve overall flexibility and fitness level so that you can maintain a higher level of independence.

Source: Hope Digest- News and Reasearch

Tags: Discussion, Exercise, General by heroteo
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2

Meditation and Parkinson’s Disease

by Taryn SimpsonEmotional Impacts

Many holistic and some medical professionals are firm believers in meditation—especially if you have stress that needs to be released.

Many people may think that learning to meditate is difficult. Actually, learning how to meditate is quite easy! There are several types of meditation to choose from such as:

• Simple mediation
• Walking meditation
• Transcendental meditation
• Mindfulness meditation
• Movement meditation

As we all know, stress exacerbates Parkinson’s symptoms. In order to help alleviate symptoms, meditation is a very useful tool. For our purposes here, I will explain how to do “Simple Meditation.”

Simple Meditation
Plan to make meditation part of your daily routine. The best time to do meditation is first thing in the morning and then again in the evening. Set aside 10-20 minutes of time for each session.

• Choose a comfortable, quiet place to meditate
• Choose a time when you will be uninterrupted
• Sit comfortably–you may want to try different positions
• Close your eyes and try to relax
• Pick a focus word or phrase that will initiate the beginning of your session (reciting a poem or a phrase that gives you peace and comfort, such as Om or “I am at peace”)
• Take deep breaths–breathe in slowly and breathe out slowly.
• Be aware of your body. Start at the top of your body and focus on relaxing your forehead, your mouth, tongue, neck, and shoulders, and so on until you reach your toes
• Once you are completely relaxed, repeat an affirmation or focus word or phrase. Block all worries or free floating anxiety from your thoughts. Instead, use the focus phrase or word such as “I am at peace, I have energy,” or “I feel rejuvenated”

Once you have completed the meditation for 10-20 minutes, allow yourself to slowly open your eyes and start to move. 

You have just completed your first meditation exercise!

Source:
Holistic Online

Tags: Discussion, Exercise, General, Medication by heroteo
No Comments »

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:11 am Post subject: Am I Parkinson’s Patient?

Besides exercises medications are important for PD patients as it helps your body movement and flexibility as well as mobility. Consistenance, persistence, endurance and medication are the key for you to combat the disease. I am spending three hours daily to attend gym classes in the fitness centre from monday to saturday except sunday. I engage two trainers to align my body posture, stretching stiffness muscles, cardio and weights lifting as welll as box and kick exercises to train my endurance and balance two times a week. I spend nearly three years in the gym to combat the parkinson’s diseases. I do not look like PD as told by my neurologlist and instructors as well as fitness members. I am driving to fitness centre daily.
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Dr. OkunJoined: 19 Jan 2007Posts: 251Location: University of Florida
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:02 am Post subject:

Exercise is like a drug in PD so you are making great choices. There is lots of research now that is beginning to support exercise as an important and potentially powerful treatment._________________Michael S. Okun, M.D.

 Anonymous
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:52 am Post subject: Is Parkinson’s is not a bad disease?

From my experience, I have learnt that all Parkinson’s patient is different from each other, in many aspects such as symptomatology, rate of disease progression and response to treatment. Managing my Parkinson’s patients has been made easier by respecting the differences between each Parkinson’s patients - there are no “two Parkinson’s patients who are identical”. One day, a man came to my clinic and asked me why his 62-year-old wife, who suffered from Parkinson’s, could hardly walk despite having the illness for only four years. “I read an article in the newspaper which described how an elderly Parkinson’s patient, who had been having the illness for twelve years, was doing some rather strenous exercises in a gym. How come my wife can’t do even 5% of this exercise?” he commented. As I have treated his wife for about six years, I could easily understand why she behaved so differently from the other “super-fit” Parkinson’s patient. His wife suffered from severe anxiety and depression, while her Parkinson’s was actually quite mild. In other words, what “crippled” her was her mood disorder, and not the Parkinson’s. Almost all the time, she would just lie on the bed or sit on a chair. Whenever her husband tried to help her to stand up, she would complain of dizziness and feeling like falling down. In addition, she had numerous other symptoms such as blurring of vision, numbness of hands, palpitation, etc (which were the symptoms of anxiety). Her social life was almost zero - she stayed at home all the time and even refused to follow her children to the restaurant. Thus, an important factor that contributes to the varying response to treatment is co-existing psychiatric disorders. Most Parkinson’s patients have anxiety or depression or both, in varying degrees, which I think are partly due to difficulty in accepting their illness (i.e. Parkinson’s). Some Parkinson’s patients are devastated by Parkinson’s while others are crippled by the psychiatric disorders (anxiety / depression). Unfortunately, psychiatric disorders in PD are very often neglected by both the patients and doctors. Mr Teo is fortunate that he does not have any psychiatric disorder. In fact, he has a very unusually “outgoing” personality, which most Parkinson’s patients do not have. Mr. Teo is an optimistic person who has accepted his Parkinson’s, and he always tries his best to cope with his illness. It is this “optimistic” personality that has made him so different from other Parkinson’s patients. Dr Chew Nee Kong, Kuala Lumpur.
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Dr. OkunJoined: 19 Jan 2007Posts: 251Location: University of Florida
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 12:09 am Post subject:

Thanks for the wonderful comment._________________Michael S. Okun, M.D.

Posted

Tags: Discussion, Exercise, General, Medication by heroteo
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Older adults who experience dizziness, constipation, upset stomach, sleep changes, diarrhea, incontinence, blurred vision, mood changes, a rash or other symptoms after taking a drug should call their doctors. The following suggestions may also help:
Tell your doctor about all the drugs you take. If you have several doctors, make sure they all know what the others are prescribing, and ask one doctor (such as an internist or general practitioner) to coordinate your drugs.
Keep track of side effects. New symptoms may not be from old age but from the drug you’re taking.
Learn about your drugs. Find out as much as you can by asking questions and reading the package inserts. Both your doctor and pharmacist should alert you to possible interactions between drugs, how to take any drug properly, and whether there’s a less expensive generic drug available.
Have your doctor review your drugs. If you take a number of drugs, take them all with you on a doctor’s visit.
Ask the doctor, “When can I stop taking this drug?” and, “How do we know this drug is still working?”
Ask a pharmacist what foods to take with each drug. Some drugs are better absorbed with certain foods, and some drugs shouldn’t be taken with certain foods.
Follow directions. Read the label every time you take the medication to prevent mistakes, and be sure you understand the timing and dosage prescribed.
Don’t forget to take your medicines. Use a memory aid to help you — a calendar, pill box, or your own system. Whatever works for you is best.

What to Ask the Doctor

Before you leave your doctor’s office with a new prescription, make sure you fully understand how to take the drug correctly. Your pharmacist can also provide valuable information about how to take your medicines and how to cope with side effects.

Ask the following questions:

What is the dosing schedule and how do I take it?
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects should I expect?
How long will I be on this drug?
How should I store this drug?
Should I take this on an empty stomach or with food? Is it safe to drink alcohol with this drug?

Source: WebMDPosted

Tags: Discussion, General, Medication by heroteo
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Recently I have a Blood Clot and been given:

1 Plavix Clopidogrel 75 mg and 1 Zocor to thinning my blood and lowering my cholesterol daily.

Is Plavix   effective to prevent a  major stroke  as there are 75- 100% chances to have  within 2 -5 years?

My PD  medications are: 4 mg Requip, 1 Jumex 5mg, 3 Sinemet CR , 3 Serc 16 mg, 3 Motilium 10 mg and 1 Seroquel 25 mg daily

I have my blood test on antioxidant and vitamin & mineral profile and taking vitamin supplements.

I am also doing hormone therapies treatment.

I am taking them for the past  of three years and going well before I have a T.I.A

Recently I have a dizziness and my blood pressure is normal between 125-140/70-75. I am driving daily.

Is it the sideeffect of the Plavix/aspirin as it contains acid?

Your advise will be appreciated’

TEOKIMHOE

Tags: Discussion, General, Medication by heroteo
No Comments »

I have a T.I.A stroke recently.

There are 75- 100 % chances to have another major stroke within 2 to 5 years.
Kindly advise me should I avoid this  strenuous exercise ?

TEOKIMHOE

Tags: Discussion, Exercise, Medication by heroteo
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