Why is it that some people who need help ask for help and when help is provided, the assistance is rejected? I can’t tell you how many times I have come across this scenario. I try not to offer advice unless the advice is requested. You would think that if someone were open enough to ask for help, then they might be open enough to try the advice.
Those Parkinsonians who are unwilling to take charge of their meds or their condition are going to face an uphill battle and make the future that much harder on themselves. A small change in our bodies can set an array of problems off that we would never expect. For example, a minor toe infection can throw off your walking, your comfort, and lead to a fall down the steps. I have seen things very similar to this account. If you are able to address what appears to be insignificant and stamp it out early, the small stuff doesn’t go rampant. If left unattended, the scab may lead to infection and worse. A big component of self-care is knowing your body’s strengths and weaknesses.
Something as simple as missing meals, dehydration, or poor nutrition can lead to a laundry list of blood, psychological, and balance related issues that throw the whole body out of balance. People with Parkinson’s disease are prone to low vitamin D levels which may bring about stability and bone issues, according to medical websites. Keeping up on your nutrition and staying current on your regimen of medicines is vital to receive maximum benefit. When we fail to monitor our body and our condition, we put ourselves in harm’s way and open ourselves to damage more of our systems.
I am not a doctor and this is just my opinion. This is NOT medical advice—it is just what I think.
Karl, I know exactly what you are saying. In fact, I’ve been guilty myself a time or two. In my opinion, I would forget to take them as directed and suffer the consequence afterwards. As you know, I don’t like taking medication. I have a problem with taking a pill to get rid of one problem just to have other problems occur as side effects. Such is the case with many Parkinson’s meds. The side effects are worse than the benefit! It may be my attitude toward this chronic disease called “PD.” I sometimes don’t like what it is doing to me. That being said, I thank my God for every day the good lord gives me on planet earth and I make the best of each one. I walk, exercise (physical and speech), I bike, I fish, I laugh and a host of other “life sustaining” rituals that limit those activities. My grandfather used to say, “When I die, bury me with my butt up! That way people can use it for a bike rack.” I don’t know what he meant by that but he was taking a lot of medication at the time. I always thought it was the medications that killed him. Seriously, medications for the good they perform, have interactions and other consequences. If you are experiencing a problem and you think it is medication related. seek a medical opinion and “take as directed.”