February, Week One

I had my 6 month Parkinson's check up with my neurologist last Thursday. She:

- doubled my dose of Requip XR, from 4mg to 8mg, mainly for my tremor (max. is 24mg- stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain to help relive the primary symptoms of PD, slowness of movement, tremor, and rigidity).

- accessed me at Stage 2 (w/o meds) of the 5 stages.
Stage One
----Signs and symptoms on one side only
----Symptoms mild
----Symptoms=2 0inconvenient but not disabling
----Usually presents with tremor of one limb
----Friends have noticed changes in posture, locomotion and facial expression
Stage Two
----Symptoms are bilateral
----Minimal disability
----Posture and gait affected
Stage Three
----Significant slowing of body movements
----Early impairment of equilibrium on walking or standing
----Generalized dysfunction that is moderately severe
Stage Four
----Severe symptoms
----Can still walk to a limited extent
----Rigidity and bradykinesia (slow movement)
----No longer able to live alo ne
----Tremor may be less than earlier stages
Stage Five
----Cachectic (physical wasting with loss of weight and muscle mass due to disease)
----Invalidism complete
----Cannot stand or walk
----Requires constant nursing care

I knew PD was progressing, but hearing it officially caused some unexpected grief. One source said on average, stages 2 and 3 last 13 years total. Of course this varies widely. Being proactive helps. Working out at the health club has made a huge difference. Thank you Jim and Leisha, Justin and Jarad for your inspiration.

The recent Frontline program had an amazing segment on research on PD and exercise.

Speaking of changes, I hadn't packed up The Covington Boys and gone to the women's group at church since last October- there being too many barriers for me to manage- the boys' coat zippers, hats, mittens, car seat buckles, loading and unloading them, walking the distance carrying a child and a diaper bag and holding the other's hand.

Tuesday morning I did, with surprising ease.

In other news...