Gadgets for Living with Parkinson’s Disease

August 30th, 2010 Posted in Resources for Parkinson's Disease
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Some days it seems the only treat you get is a tootsie pop from the teller at the bank’s drive through window. And that only if she thinks it was a child whining when she mistakenly hears you as you deposit your SSI check that barely covers your rent. Don’t whine. There is good news…

I have uncovered some great resources that are free, cheap, or worth putting on your Christmas wish list (Costco already has their Christmas stuff in-house).

Free: Brain games on AARP site are not only fun, but helpful to those with brain impairments and we qualify.  Check out http://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/brain_games/ and strengthen your brain muscles or click on the games below:

The Right Word

Train your brain to remember words quickly and effortlessly. Go

Split Words

Keep your language and attention skills in shape with this puzzle. Go

The Squeaking Mouse

Boost your memory by matching an animal’s call with its image. Go

Secret Files

Improve your attention and organizational skills with this challenge. Go

Decipher

Work your brain by cracking encrypted quotations. Go

Now, another helpful and practical gadget that is also free… I actually got this from my doctor (so this may be old hat to some of you) when I told him I’ve given up shoe laces because my fingers don’t want to move right. While you’re watching TV, get a button up shirt with lots of buttons on it and with it on your lap, begin to practice buttoning and unbuttoning all the little buttons a few times. Then, turn it upside down and do it the opposite way. This will help to keep your finger muscles strong, not as stiff, and more useful.

And for those of you who struggle with stiffness in the neck and shoulders and subsequently might suffer from headaches because of it, my husband was given a small hand held, battery operated electronic muscle stimulator. I have been using this for my neck and back when I get one of my unwelcome headaches that are usually associated with the stiffness and it really helps more than anything else I have found. The brand I have is Omron but I have seen similar devices in other brands.

If you have a gadget or something you’ve found that is useful in making living with PD a little more bearable, let us know!

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Parkinson’s Pills Have Personality… by Judy Hensley

March 31st, 2010 Posted in Misc
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Disclaimer:  This is a non-scientific fact but one that I have recently come to be aware of that has some unique and common attributes.  So -  I’m going out on this blog to  tell you….

These pills I take for Parkinson’s disease – they do not work the same all the time and now I know why:  They have a personality!  And it is a personality I don’t like.  They are not really inanimate objects – they are little pill people who wake up and start interacting with my brain and body after being swallowed and whenever they please!

And here is why I think so…

My body is always ready, willing, and begging for those pills that I take multiple times a day to do their best everyday.   It can not be any problem on my end as to why these pills are not consistent…no, not my fault.  It should not matter as to how well these little pills should work once inside my body.  If I am tired, stressed, ill, having my period, my blood sugar level, protein intake, what liquids I’ve consumed, how close it is to a meal, or if I’m on vacation – they all look the same so they should work the same, every time (I mean good grief, some of them are not cheap either!).  Right?

If someone could figure out why this does not happen, then we would only need half of health care reform.  (Sarcasms intended).  But now all we have to do is have some research into “why”?  Parkinson’s Pills Have Personality”  as I have so scientifically deduced, and we’ll know so much more and hopefully have pills that no longer have a personality.  Pills that can work exactly like they are supposed to work right out of the bottle, and they will work the same for everyone with PD, no matter what size, shape, or kind of day they are having.  And while they are at it, maybe they could come up with a very nice tasting chocolate matrix for the medicine.  (Never hurts to ask, does it?)

Here are some of my observations that have led me to conclude that Parkinson’s pills have personality.   Just think a minute on this….if we can read this we are all part of the human race, right.  We are all alike in this regard, yet we act completely different, and that is what makes life interesting.  On one hand since we are all the same, shouldn’t we all get the same medical response from the same pill?  Oh contraire…but we are all some different.  This can create a problem  when you have Parkinson’s and take some meds to help your symptoms.  You want to have the optimal consistent response you can have, every time, for these medications.  But what happens? You take these pills, you anticipate that you will be movin’ and groovin’ like you need to before the hour is over.  But on the day you have to get to an important appointment and have still allowed extra time, you can’t get movin’ n groovin’ fast enough to be on time.  I’m blaming it on the stubborn PD pills.  Maybe they didn’t like the pH of my gastric juice this morning.

Then there are the times those pills just wanna be ADHD and go in and so fast it causes me to wiggle or twist…dyskenesia.  I think I need a pill for my pills,  or at least therapy for them.  I really don’t understand why they have to be so contrary at times.  I mean, we know each other well; we’ve been hanging out for several years now.  Maybe it’s like being married….maybe..  I should rephrase that!  I wish my pills would be boring and be the same all the time!

I figured this all out, but I’ve not found a solution yet.  I guess I’ll just put up with my pills’ personality flaws and hope for the best!  Let me know if you have any ‘pills with personality’!  By the way, I’m changing how I reference my medications.  My PD pills will now be my MG pills (for ‘movin’ n groovin’)..much cooler, don’t you think?

Time for more pills,
Judy
3/30/10

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Open Letter to Dr. Anthony Santiago, MD, MDS, VIP

January 20th, 2010 Posted in YOPD Humor
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Are you tired of the cold northwest dumping more than snow on you? Awaiting you is a warmer yet wet little area of the northwest not commonly mentioned.While browsing the internet two days ago, I came across a phenomenal breakthrough in opportunities to fit your specialty.

The Best Job in the World

By clicking on the above link, you will be connected directly to the site where awaiting you is an opening needing the greatest neurologist in the world who also specializes in movement disorders, among other specialties.

Let’s take a quick look at the magnitude of this opportunity, as stated in the job description:

Premier southwest Oregon private practice is currently scheduling interviews for a board-certified / board-eligible Neurologist.

You will have the opportunity to sub-specialize in the following areas (fellowship training preferred): Cerebrovascular Disease/Stroke, EEG/EMG, Epilepsy, Movement Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Neurophysiology, Sleep Disorders, Pain or Pediatrics.

-Enjoy a competitive starting salary, comprehensive benefits, pension plan, and partnership track when you join this dynamic clinic (Please note they said ‘dynamic’ – I didn’t have to entice you with big words)
-Be busy from day one (I will be your first patient to guarantee this benefit!)
-Large catchment area of over 600,000 offering a solid patient base (I can also guarantee a solid patient base as Parkinson’s Journey has several of your past patients patiently waiting to hear that you’re not too far away from landing nearby, and ready, if need be, to welcome you at the newly renovated Rogue Valley International Airport, with two baggage turnstiles and all on one convenient level!)
-Well-established physician referral network (I’m not sure how I can guarantee this one.)
-Collegial practice environment (I can guarantee this, as the university is so close and think of all the young minds you could mentor.)
-Terrific work-life balance (I can guarantee this by stating that your drive to work will not be anywhere near what you had to drive to get to Spokane / Liberty Lake – unless of course you find a home that far out again!)

The Medford Neurological & Spine Clinic has a 44-year history of offering comprehensive neurological services. As the only full-service clinic in the surrounding area, our clinic staffs both neurologists and neurosurgeons and specializes in adult and pediatric neurology, electro-diagnostic studies, stealth frameless CT- / MRI-guided cranial surgery, skull base surgery, microsurgical spinal surgery, transphenoidal adenomectomy and stereotactic radiosurgery consultations. (Isn’t that just so exciting?!!!)

Would you consider joining our team? Apply today! (Please!!!)

If the above weren’t enough to entice you, get your wife and read on (I will highlight the strong points for you):

Medford, Oregon is surrounded by beautiful mountains and offers moderate temperatures year-round. (Consider the lack of snow shoveling you’ll have to do!) You will appreciate our outdoor recreation, such as golf, mountain biking, fishing, boating and skiing, as well as enjoy our first-class day spas, outdoor concerts, award-winning theatre performances, and monthly festivals. Medford, Oregon offers affordable luxury homes, excellent public and private schools, and LOW PROPERTY TAXES; plus there is NO SALES TAX in the state of Oregon! And, for those who enjoy the beach, the Pacific coast is a short 2.5 hour drive from Medford. Come home to Medford! Apply today!

And now, if that still hasn’t convinced you, consider these pros (cons are of no concern here):

~ Gardening in Medford cannot be compared to anywhere else on earth. Prize winning pumpkins, world famous pears and more await the avid gardener and his/her spouse.

~ Cultural activities are as diverse as the world famous Ashland Shakespeare Festival or the Jackson County Draft Horse Pull.

~ Guided tours of Harry and David, where free samples of raspberry shortbread cookies are handed out when the tour ends.

~ Holiday events galore to welcome the Christmas season and more – Gingerbread House Festival, Ashland Christmas Parade with the spikey head snowmen and fun beyond belief.

~ Farmer’s Market through the summer months with fresh fruits and veggies. Dogs have been banned which takes away the fear of being devoured while shopping.

~ Discounts at the supermarket Friday mornings on old breads and meats.

~ Nearby and historical Jacksonville offers a peaceful atmosphere and the Britt Festival with world famous musical artists such as James Taylor.

Now, some may think I’m being selfish and that I just want my doctor back (which I cannot deny as being true and don’t relish the thought of anyone else messing with my brain), but really I’m just worried about you not having the opportunity to touch other’s lives with your calling. At the very least, with all attempts of humor set aside, I hope you know just how much you are missed.

Sherri

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