Meds 2

Hi there.

Meds are a funny thing. On one hand they will undoubtedly help cure or at least help in some way shape or form, all that ails you. On the other hand, the side effects of that medication can range from something quite minor like nausea or a slight headache to something serious like dyskenesia, uncontrolled movements, to constipation to serious illness.

I had noticed for a few days that if I forgot to take my prolopa, the new drug my doctor put me on, I did not experience the usual increase in my Parkinson's symptoms and that I didn't feel to bad. I have tried in the past to go with the implants only without a lot of success, but I have not gone off of prolopa before even though the side effects have become more noticeable. Like I said earlier, I haven't felt to bad when I have missed taking prolopa, so I thought I try going with Amantadine only.. It has been three days since I quit taking prolopa and I feel good, at least as good as can be expected. I will be on Amantadine till the day I die because the drug is very addictive and it is suppose to help cognitive functions, so it cant be all bad.

So until something changes it will be me, the implants and no artificial dopamine. Scary thought but one that might just work out in the long run.

Later.

Its a new week...

Well folks it is Monday, the start of a new week and the first week of the rest of our lives. How is that for sappy.

I wish I could say that typing is getting easier but like everything else, it is not. I am down to typing with three fingers and one thumb. Which is no big deal except that I used to be able to type quite fast. But alas, my fingers are failing to. Not to worry. I intend on keeping you entertained, even if my typing is reduced to one finger.

Keeping a blog is actually good therapy because if one intends on putting up a post every day and not always sound negative, one cannot be to negative. Did that make sense? Anyways, today is not going to bad. The cup is half full, not half empty.

Later...

Meds..

Medication can be a funny thing. After popping different kinds of pills in varying quantities for over 10 years now, the inevitable finally happened and the Sinimet or levadopa/carbidopa I was taking lost most of its effectiveness. My doctor put me on a drug called Prolopa. It is still part of the levadopa family but a slightly different recipe. I was hoping that this drug would last a little longer but it doesn't seem that way. I have had to turn my implants up considerably which makes my balance and speech that much worse. Oh joy. That is one thing I will say for the implants. They are consistent and always there. Not like popping pills when how they work depends on what else is in your stomach or when you last ate.

Lets hope the implants work for a long time. Because I already know that medication will not.

Later...

Some days are better than others...

I get asked quite often how I am feeling. My pat answer is "some days are better than others but today isn't to bad."

I have always maintained that whatever a normal day is, as long as there are more good days than bad days, life is good. That adage can apply regardless of you circumstance because your 'normal' day will be whatever it is or however you are feeling. Confused yet? A normal day for me is totally different than a normal day for someone without Parkinson's and different too than somebody who has terminal cancer.

My point is we all have to live with the cards that life deals us, be they good or not so good. What is unfortunate, or fortunate depending on your point of view, is that the normal of someone like me is slowly and progressively getting worse and worse. All that keeps me sane is the hope that if today is not a good or normal day, tomorrow will be a better day. Regardless of how poor 'normal' becomes. There is always hope for tomorrow.

Later...

Its Tuesday..

Connie and I went to watch a friend play in a beer league game last night. One thing about hockey, no matter how friendly two teams are at the start of a game, by the end some players will hate each other and fights or at least near fights are certain to break out. It is probably a good thing that I don't play rec hockey because the way some guys behave out there I would need to force feed my stick to somebody. Why it is necessary to slew foot (trip from behind ) a player in a pickup game is beyond me, or high stick somebody. Oh well. To each his own.

I should mention that I resigned from the scouting position I took at the start of the season with the Port Alberni Bulldogs. just could not get to enough games and see enough players. Reduced mobility will do that to you.

Later...

Quiet Monday.

It's been a quite day so far. I took the dog for a long walk after several weeks of doing nothing and I feel pretty good. There is a lesson in that I am sure. I should exercise more but it doesn't seem to happen. I must be getting lazy in my old age.

I have been putting "smart-ass"posts on Facebook as status updates the last few days and watching the responses has been interesting. More on that later . I am going to keep posting for a few days and see where it goes. It is something to do anyways.

Later..

Go Giants..

yup..I am a Giants fan. Cheer for the underdog. That and I like Eli Manning. Slow day and weekend otherwise. I haven't been feeling to to bad. Sleeping well and that is the biggest thing. Anyways...Go Giants.

Me again..

Hi there..long time no hear.

Just thought I would pop in and say hi. I should really put a new post every now and then as it gives me something to do and at least keeps my fingers somewhat nimble.

Things are going very so - so health wise. I switched meds. then increased the dosage, had a bad reaction and landed up having a my implants way higher than I would like. If they are set above three milliamps per side my voice goes wonky and my balance gets poor. Right now both sides are at four milliamps, and sometimes higher, so one can imagine what life is like right now. My speech is very poor and I need a cane to help my balance. But hey, at least I am waking up on the right side off the grass. It could be worse.

More later...