(30) The Good, The Bad, The Smugly: reflections

PD: The Bad

In my last post (29) I emphasised the importance of MOVEment for those of us who are parkinsed and I will do it again at the end of this post. When we're inactive for extended periods then our joints become stiffer, we lose the confidence to move and, after what is often unnecessary rest, we are in the grip of inaction. Well, that's certainly what happens to me! This thought (inaction: when an action is expected but doesn't happen) got me thinking about recent events. In post 30, I will unpack specific occurrences: firstly, after my Covid vaccinations and secondly, when I've had alcohol. 

COVID VACCINATIONS: the first occurrence of my Parkinson's Disease (PD) worsening was immediately after my first Covid vaccination. Besides having a sore arm and slight headache, I observed later that the vaccinations appeared to have protected me from severe Covid, which was good.

However, my PD symptoms also appeared to worsen, which was bad. For about a week after the vaccinations my tremors were severe. I was unable to exert partial control over the tremors as I am generally able to do.

Also, my right leg was more immobile than usual as I was dragging my right foot (NB: my PD started on the right side) when walking and I appeared to be freezing more regularly when attempting to rise from a seated position. I would literally be glued to my seat. Naturally, this generated much anxiety, resulting in more frequent freezing of such movements. I started to believe I was in a downward PD spiral and maybe my ten-year drug-free regime had been a huge mistake. 

After subsequent Covid vaccinations I observed the same results: increased tremors and temporary freezing of my right side. The Covid vaccines appeared to have triggered something that affects my conscious control over some of my PD. 

ALCOHOL: I have observed that whenever I had my favourite tipple my legs and arms would start to freeze while I was seated. The impact was the same as having a Covid vaccination: glue and seat! To ensure that I did not go to bed in this state I used to drink alcohol late in the afternoon rather than at night. My current Ayurvedic regime has made me more cautious about alcohol. I have also cut back on another favourite, my daily coffee, now opting for it weekly.

PD FALLS: in tennis, "unforced errors" are when players lose points as a result of their own, personal pressure resulting in their making errors when there's indirect opponent pressure. So, I will adapt that for PD. If I have fallen as a result of my foot being caught on a table leg then it is a "forced fall" and my fault. However, if I fall as a result of my PD causing me to be off-balance, then it is an "unforced fall" and not my fault. Whilst being parkinsed I have had an equal number of both "forced" and "unforced" falls. My last was an "unforced fall" a few weeks ago - that resulted in a sore shoulder, sore bum and a severely bruised ego - and the previous fall was 18 months before that, so 👍...

PD: The Good

After years of ignoring suggestions that I consider yoga - mainly because I am stiff, overweight and unfit - I have listened to my Ayurveda doctor who has recommended two yoga breathing exercises. In addition, my brother has recommended chair yoga. I do this chair yoga on alternate days and the two yoga breathing exercises twice daily and Dance for PD in between. The chair yoga is ideal for PD people so I am envious of the Kruger National Park giraffes below because as browsers they are able to move their necks, knees and spine in a way I cannot.

 

👌  CHAIR YOGA, specifically Gentle chair yoga has been a revelation. The 25 minute session of a range of muscle stretching and controlled breathing is becoming a powerful part of my tool box of confidence. I believe that although I am only 60% successful at completing each action, immediately after completing a chair yoga session I have had consistently greater success and confidence with the following: walking; putting on my sandals; rising from a seated to a standing position; or turning onto my side in bed. When I am unable to execute any of these four actions, what follows is freezing, tremors and unnecessary anxiety. And freezing, tremors and anxiety should be experienced as little as possible when one has PD. 

👌  YOGA BREATHING EXERCISE: the alternate nostril breathing technique is useful - if you are curious, then the short video link provides a brief introduction. Alternate nostril breathing can lower stress and improve your lung capacity. Therefore, your oxygen intake increases as does the amount of air exhaled. Breathing in and out through the nose is generally healthier than inhaling/exhaling through the mouth. 

PD: The Smugly

I have become unashamedly smug about the following four focus points in my life so I will share them.

PHYSICAL EXERCISE: my current walking action is my default stance of slightly bent knees and a slight stoop (no, dear reader, not a doorstep or threshold). The chair yoga appears to be correcting this for a few hours after exercising, so I am hopeful. I believe the yoga breathing is part of a long term plan to relax and assist my nervous system. All these are attempts to counter the effects of PD. Wish me luck!

HYDRATION: since my prostate reduction surgery in May 2021 that allowed me to stop taking two chronic medications (yay!) and weaning myself off regular coffee and alcohol I am drinking a lot more water (yay!).

MENTAL EXERCISE: reading, doing word games and crosswords as well as writing these posts - this is my 30th post (yay!) - has kept me sane and mentally fit. 

COMMUNICATION: I try to stay in touch with family (mostly in Durban), friends and acquaintances (in the country and abroad) because their presence is present. What a gift.  

Move it!

In the animated movie, Madagascar, there's a song called "I like to move it..." - in keeping with my present drive here's a YouTube video clip to make us smile. Till next time, dear reader...