I was watching a 3 night special on the Ebola Virus, compliments of the National Geographic network. It’s like seeing a scary movie on television and you know that it will give you nightmares, but you still take a peak… I couldn’t look away. I tunned in every night learning all the ways that the Ebola virus was so strange. It could mutate and look like other health issues. It made me think of the weird things about Parkinson’s.
Here are 10 strange facts about Parkinson’s disease that you might not have known. Read on… if you dare… Mwahahahaahhaha.
1. One medication has been the gold standard of the treatment of Parkinson’s symptoms for the last 5 decades.
-In 1961, the first successful clinical trial of levodopa was completed. Since that time, no other drug treatment has been as effective or widely used as good ol’ L-Dopa… and must say, my dear, you have aged quite well.
2. There is no test to officially diagnose Parkinson’s disease.
-The way to get a diagnosis is by visiting a Neurologist who will take your medical history and physical exam to identify the cardinal symptoms (tremor, rigidity or slowness of movement) of PD. Then you need to be evaluated by a movement disorder specialist, which will prescribe medications to see if you respond. Getting an official diagnosis can be challenging because Parkinson’s can look like many other Neurological disorders, leading to misdiagnosis or years of unknown cause.
3. The 80% threshold in Parkinson’s disease.
– The first symptoms of PD do not appear until 80% of the dopamine at the terminals of the substantia nigra neurons, in the striatum is lost. If we view our brain as NASA runs its space shuttle, there is a fail-safe in place for all of our bodily functions. The human body is designed with ways to sustain impairment and injuries. We can unconsciously compensate for our body’s shortcomings. After diagnosis, many Parkies can look back and see the signs of the disease years before even knowing they had it.
4. Men are two times more likely than women to get Parkinson’s disease.
-This could be due to men having a higher risk of toxicant exposure or head trauma. Or maybe it’s the universe reminding men that since women bear children… they can take one for the team.
5. There is still no definitive cause of Parkinson’s disease.
-It’s believed that environmental factors or genetic issues (such as mutations in the LRRK2 gene) are the greatest contributors to Parkinson’s disease. But at this time, it’s still nearly impossible to determine the cause of an individual’s diagnosis.
6. No two people will have identical symptoms.
– Many people will ask me what Parkinson’s disease (PD) feels like. Seeing as there are many variations of symptoms, it is hard to describe. Not to mention that each person will experience Parkinson’s in a different way. We are kind of like snowflakes; there are no two Parkies that are alike. Or if you are a fashionable and chic Parkie, you could see it as we all have our own pair of designer jeans that we wear. Although they may look similar, we each wear our jeans differently.
7. Eating copious amounts of bacon can prevent your Parkinson’s medications from absorbing properly.
-Not all Parkies experience “dose failure” (when your medications are not effective) due to protein, but it can happen. Amino acids (from dietary protein) can interfere with the uptake of Levodopa into the brain. Just imagine your medications are in a war against the bacon you just shoved down your face hole. They are both competing for absorption with their little pitchforks and torches. So for me, I stay far away from protein when I am trying to get my meds to come “on”.
8. Exercise can be just as important as taking your medications.
-What if I told you about a new pill just approved by the FDA that will help your mobility, increase your strength, stabilize your mood, sharpen your mind, decrease fatigue, alleviate constipation and help you sleep better? Have I gotten your attention yet? Then what if I told you that this pill has been scientifically proven to slow the progression of your Parkinson’s disease? I have a feeling that you would be sprinting for the closest pharmacy faster than a herd of snails.
This pill does exist, but it’s not taken orally, and it’s not a patch you place on your arm, you can only get this medication when you get up and exercise. Yes, exercise is medicine. Healthy Parkies don’t view exercise as optional, they know it’s a requirement to stay healthy. So dust off those leg warmers and slap on those sneakers because it’s time to exercise… what’s your excuse?
9. Parkies can have serious constipation issues. In severe cases, Parkinson’s has led to complete paralyzation of the digestive system.
–Not many things can compare to having a good poop. You get to clear out all that candy you scarfed down… to make room for more. But what happens when your autonomic system gets impaired from Parkinson’s disease? Our autonomic system controls all of our “automatic” functions such as heart rate, digestion, breathing rate, perspiration, urination, and sexual arousal. So without peristalsis, (successive waves of contractions in our intestines that helps our stool pass through our bowels), we get backed up, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, obstructions and even worse, gastroparesis.
10. The Chamorro people of Guam have a high incidence of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
-This phenomenon has been linked to their consumption of the flying fox bat. The flying fox bat has a palate for the cycad seed, which contains a high level of neurotoxins. So the Chamorro people where unknowingly ingesting toxic bats… guess they should have eaten the organic free-range bats.
Hope you enjoyed my strange blog! Now, I’m going to find a way to sterilize my apartment… not ebola here!
What a wonderful post. As a PD support group co-leader (someone in family was diagnosed) we are noticing that our large group is getting close to being 60/40 men and women with PD, respectively. And that the women seem to be diagnosed younger than the men. We are in the southwest Pennsylvania region which has a high number of PWP. Our group has nearly doubled in size in three years. We welcome Parkies, care partners and anyone else that wants or needs to learn about life with PD. Your blog is such a spirited breath of life and encouragement! Thank you!
Karen, congratulations on facilitating such a great support group! Keep up the good Work!
Thank you Allison! The Women With Parkinson’s meeting is tomorrow, I will again be nudging them to your site! They are a separate group from the other I co-lead, and I’m just an observer. The women talk more than the men, so I am learning more.
Karen thank you for sharing my blog!
Great post!!!
Boy, is the bacon part…tough!!!!
Thank you Brenda!
Very good summary.
Joe, thanks for reading my blog!
Great post! I like how you find a humid yet informative angle on everything. 🙂
Argh!! Auto fill strikes again! “Humor”
Thank you Allen! Gotta love autocorrect!
Allison, did you know that as far back as 7,000 years BC Indians (India) were treating symptoms of Parkinson’s. I don’t think Monsanto and Dow chemical were around in those days, so blaming a “modern day, synthetic chemical” is probably a bad guess as to who’s fault it is.
I’ll bet most of your viewers didn’t know that fact.
Peter,
I didn’t think that they had Parkinson’s in 7,000 BC. The life expectancy was so short…But who knows?
Am I right to suggest all protein is to be avoided?
Julie
Julie,
Only if you’re sensitive to protein. Not everyone has trouble with eating it, but I would just beware of how you feel after consuming protein. For me, I have to be very careful with when I take my pills and when I eat.
How can your body — survive — with no protein???
It’s a struggle – juggling med times and protein intake…Proteins are necessary… Imperative, actually…
Yes, for sure protein is important source of energy your body. I just time my meds, an hour before or after a meal…or at dinner, when I don’t have many activities scheduled. Remember, not everyone is impacted by protein.
Dude, I eat my Mini Wheats so take off the gloves and get that thing away from me! 😳
Very interesting, thanks for sharing!!
I have Crohn’s disease to counteract the problems have constipation from Parkinson’s. It all seems to balance out eventually. I wonder if there are others out there like me that have four other uncurable diseases.
Trust me Bob… you are not alone.
Nice!
I love reading your blog…keep it up..humor is a must in this crazy journey. thank you, Parkie Patt
My husband had 1 1/2 strips of bacon 5 mornings. So should we discontinue this?😞
Only if he notices that when he eats protein, his Parkinson’s medicaitons don’t work the same.
I liked,your article because of the information, tied in with some levity. I have had Parkinson’s for years now, but couldn’t get it diagnosed because of other issues. I had a double mastectomy and with chemo /radiation,the dry told me everything wrong was chemo brain. Finally received information after testing and with neurological team. Wow what a ride its getting to be. I enjoyed the laugh.
Thank you so much for that batty information. Mom has had it for several years and I saw at least three things in this article that I can do to try to help her out. Thank you.
Allison. I have been having progressive weakness in my arms, hands and legs for about 16 months now. My balance sucks. My neurologist first thought I had Parkinson’s, but now doesn’t think so. I slur my words sometimes band I get extremely tired, especially when it’s hot. I have had numerous cat scans and mri s done. The symptoms have steadily progressed, but of course I have good days too. I guess what I’m trying to ask is, is there a possibility that later they will decide I do have Parkinson’s. By the way, I do stay pretty active and exercise with headbands. Do you have any advice.
A diagnosis can come at anytime. Seeing as it is progressive, your diagnosis can change once different parts of your brain get impacted. Wish I had better news. Hang in there!
These symptoms sounds like Fibromyalga
Allison, I hope that everything works out okay for you. I LOVE reading your posts, they give me some laughs while still being very informative. Free range bats! LMBO!!
You are so right about everyone being different, I have a lot of the usual symptoms but I also have some that very few if any have.
Take care my friend, I hope and pray for all the best for you and all of us!
Thank you for sharing this. As a’caregiver’ training people in boxing for Parkinsons this is informative and educational. Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s RockSteadyBoxingOC.com
Remember that when the tremors start, your drinks will all be shaken, not stirred. That dumb cat that wants you to pet it all the time can sneak up on your lap when you are asleep and wiggle itself under your hand, getting all the petting she can stand! That’s all I’ve got for now.
Animals are awesome! They can feel your struggle. I rescued my dog Crash, but in actuality, he actually saved me.
right on Perkie! My shaky jaw thanks you….
Very good! Reduced bacon diet would be rough. Bacon Fro-Yo, my favorite.
Eewwwwww! That’s like eating turkey fro yo!
Love this simple and easy to read, expamle so much. Pls keep up your great work.
Thank you for your kind words. Happy to hear you enjoyed the blog!
Hey Allison
Your sense of humor is great!!! Well I follow a few people on twitter with Parkinson’s. it’s not not for me but my life long best friend was diagnosed a few months ago!!! And she has really changed! Her mood is quite different. So I was trying to reasearch everything I could to try to help her. She is very depressed. I told her her to change dr. Anyway my heart goes out to her. She is only 58! Any suggestions would help:) thanks so much!! Keep your great humor take care, Susan
That is awesome that you are being her advocate! She is lucky to have you as a friend. Depression is common with Parkinson’s, so encourage her to go see a Movement Disorder Specialist and get on some mood stabilizing medications. Keep me posted!