Delayed stress

I finally realized the likely reason for my wearing off and increase in symptoms this week. Two weeks ago was the week that my aunt Susan was dying. And stress for me shows up on about a two-week delay. So there it is. And I feel better already. I need to give myself a little leeway and try to flow with the stress instead of remaining tense and stressed.

When I am experiencing wearing off, I have this funny feeling that if I could just move enough, my meds would kick in. It is odd to try to describe, but that is why I can be found walking up and down the hall in the middle of the day at work. Moving feels good although doing it is difficult. Guess that is why they call it movement disorder.

Pass this blog to a friend. Keep me accountable and motivatd! This morning I did a35-minute power walk and some PWR! Moves. Yesterday I did treadmill and moves I the early morning, exercise class  midday, and a hike in the afternoon. Ad I feel good!

Inconsistent symptoms

One of the most frustrating things about Parkinson's disease is that it is so unpredictable. The degree to which my body responds positively to exercise and to medication and negatively to stress is impossible to predict. I know that these are the factors to monitor (exercise, medication, and stress), but which one contributes the most at any given time is a crap shoot. I am back to each dose wearing off -- although not way too early -- and I have no idea why. My symptomless summer was a gift, but is a thing of the past. But I am exercising, I promise. Warming up with those PWR! Moves, treadmill or outdoor power walking until I am dripping with sweat, and stretching with some yoga moves every morning, plus hiking (4 hikes last week!) and tai chi and more. Dance will be resuming soon, too! Me go, girl!

My exercise these days

I am going to diverge from all that fascinating background on Parkinson's disease to do what I originally planned to do . . . report on my exercising. This is good for me because the accountability keeps me honest and motivated. So you are helping me by reading this. And it helps you by . . . Um . . .well, why are you reading this?

The nearly perfect summer with almost no wearing off may be coming to a close. I felt each dose wear off today, and yesterday when I was only 2.5 hours into a 4-hour dose, it quit on me as I was walking a 5k. I still finished in 45 minutes but it felt like I was walking through mud. So I need to work harder to get that exercise in because I believe it will make a difference. I just took an evening walk and am now sweaty again. As I have gotten more fit, I have developed the ability to sweat like a pig. How unpleasant! Drip! Drop! But it is a small price to pay. I have been good about my morning exercising wi the exception of stretching. Still can't get nto that habit! I will work on it some more. Thanks for listening!

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity..... Now there is a big word. Neuroplasticity is the fairly recently accepted finding that the brain can change. This has been seen in response to injury or damage where an undamaged section of the brain adapts to perform a function no longer possible from a damaged part. What this means for Parkinson's is that it is possible that some of the function lost due to the death of dopamine neurons can be recovered if the brain can change to accommodate this loss. This is amazingly good news. How can this be accomplished? You guessed it.....exercise! Becky Farley's techniques are called "exercise for brain change." So every time I walk with BIG steps, I am helping my brain relearn that movement in a new way that can become permanent if I do it enough. Wow. Makes me want to get out there and exercise! How about you?