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Parkinson’s Disease You may not be aware of how many people in North Carolina, Craven County, New Bern, or your own neighborhood have Parkinson’s disease. Only when a close friend presents some unusual signs of a problem do we get concerned. According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation as many as one million suffer from the disease and approximately 15% are diagnosed before age 40. Someone may appear to have had a small stroke. They move funny. Turn slowly and may have a small tremor of the hand or foot. At other times they appear to have a hangover and just shuffle about. We don’t want to ask too many questions as we don’t want to upset them. Later you find out the cause for the odd behavior is Parkinson’s disease. As you find out more about this disease, you recognize there are more people in the neighborhood with odd movements of their extremities and they also have the same disease. I have four friends who have Parkinson’s. After talking to them, I find many of them start with different symptoms. There may be a small tremor of one hand or foot, the inability to hold a golf club, a signature becomes very very small, or one begins to shuffle instead of taking steps. One spoke of not being able to walk slowly as a first sign of a problem. There are a variety of symptoms which appear intermittently making it hard to know there is really a problem. As I listened at the support groups, I learned there are specific brain cells which produce Dopamine which is needed to control movement and coordination. As these cells begin to malfunction and provide less Dopamine a person appears to have less control of their movements and coordination. As I learn more about this disease, I find that everyone seems to be on different medications and that the dosages of these medications need to be monitored and changed frequently. In some cases the benefits of the medication are short term and the patients must adjust their daily activities to match these favorable times. Mirapex, a medication which helps with the physical symptoms can also cause one to hallucinate. Its dosage must be managed closely for each patient. It is a very frustrating disease to treat and caring for the person with Parkinson’s can be a daunting project for the caregiver. The caregivers and patients passed along a few suggestions. Continue to be active, as activity maintains muscle mass. Do things slowly but keep going. Climbing stairs is good exercise. Maintain the patient in their own home if possible where they have family support. “It makes them feel like human beings”. Support group members spoke of a helpful web site www.parkinson.org, which provides a discussion corner where one can chat with doctors, dieticians, speech clinicians, and other caregivers and patients. The caregivers as well as the patient need support and understanding. At present there are two monthly support groups in the area. One meets at the YMCA the 3rd Wednesday at 10:00 AM. Call Maureen Reed 252-638-5763 for information. The other meets in Fairfield Harbour the 3rd Friday at 10:00 AM. Call Nancy Barefoot 252-633-6498 for information. |
