I used to feel that all my troubles came from having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease for almost 14 years. But there have been some events that have occurred that I can’t be so sure. Maybe I am just getting old. I’m smart enough to know that in the last 14 years, I didn’t just stop aging completely as my PD progressed. But when do the boundaries mesh and I can’t blame everything on Parkinson’s? I have created a list of examples of things that keep me guessing, Is this Parkinson’s, or is it just me getting older?
Example 1: Kids acting like wildebeests.
I know that children act like… well, children but ever since the electric bikes have become the cool new toy to have, I’ve been feeling a bit pissy. They pop wheelies, honk their horns while barking at my dog Penny and they drive way too fast for their own good. I swear I have seen kids getting into a football huddle as they finalize their game plan of torturing Penny while we’re on our walk. Now, is this me just getting old or am I projecting the pain I feel for losing my ability to ride a bike? Another gift from Parkinson’s. Thank you.
Example 2: Hair growing from awkward places.
I know the typical places hair grows, but not one of those areas used to be my chin or upper lip. Oh yeah, I putting it all out there. One day, while I was working out at the gym, I kept getting hair in my mouth. After assaulting my muscles, I noticed in the mirror a very light, peach fuzz-looking hair. It was so wispy I needed light to hit it perfectly just to see the glistening 3-inch (no joke here) hair that had started from the top of my lip, found its way to my orifice. Yes, you read that right, I had a lip hair grow long enough without me realizing it had curled into my mouth. I wish I could say that this was a Parkinson’s non-motor symptom, but this is proof that I am just getting old.
Example 3: Who are these people?
I was watching the MTV Music Awards and I realized that I didn’t know any of the artists that were up for awards. Not to mention they have all these internet celebrities known as “influencers” who use social media to reach millions of people. What really sent it home, was how excited I get when a song from the 90’s comes on the radio, like Alanis Morrissette’s You outa Know… I know every word… It’s my jam. Once again, I am just adding on the years.
Example 4: Functionality and comfort vs. fashion and style.
I find myself wanting to change into my pajamas the moment I get home, even if it’s only 6 p.m. Now that might be Parkinson’s because when I’m doing household chores, I find myself reaching for comfort. Elastic pants all day every day. I learned this technique from our Covid years. If I have something to do, cargo pants are the perfect alternative to an elastic wardrobe. They have a drawstring waist and more pockets than you know what to do with. But if I really want to impress ‘em, I do a midi dress with Keds tennis shoes. Now I can feel fashionably chic but comfy.
Example 5: This leads me to how much time I put into looking pretty.
When everything takes more energy to complete, you find a way to streamline the process. Less makeup, and wet hair versus blow drying my hair. I put all my energy into just getting clean. Some days that could only be a shower, bar of soap, deodorant, lavender body spray, and slap on those cargo pants… I’m ready to go. Is that me just getting older and not caring anymore, or has PD dripped into my grooming routine making new challenges?
Example 6: Multitasking is nonexistent.
It’s 10:30 pm and I am winding down from my day. I go to my cabinet of wonder where I have an extensive collection of rare Parkinson’s drugs and other medicinal trinkets. As I begin to gather my nighttime medications, I notice that I am missing my bottle of Xanax. A wave of panic rolls through my body.
Now what’s important here, is that earlier that day, I had done some spring cleaning around my apartment. Just some basics, like cleaning my kitchen, scrubbing my bathroom, and washing my laundry. One of the tasks I had on my to-do list was to consolidate all my bottles of medication. I would empty the ones that had only a few pills into the newer containers. I like things organized and clean, or else my anxiety goes off the chart. Everything has its place.
I try to think about the last place I was with it. My mind went to a dark place. Maybe I threw it out with the garbage earlier that day. The only way that I am going to find out the answer is to dive into` the community dumpster. Now, remember I said that it was 10:30 at night, which means I was wearing my pajamas. I put on my robe and slipped into my galoshes that were resting by the front door. All I needed was a flashlight, and then I was ready for battle.
I climb into the dumpster and start digging trying to find my bag of trash amongst my neighborhood’s crap. I find it just as a person throws a sack of garbage narrowly missing my head. I quietly, almost mouse-like climbed out of the bin and quickly ran inside with my rubbish from the day. After emptying my trash on my kitchen floor, I came to the devastating conclusion that my Xanax was gone. Never to be seen again. I went into my bathroom to wash my hands and there was the bottle of medication sitting right on the ledge. It was taunting me with its smug little label in my face.
Now you might say age was a factor in this example. But I say Parkinson’s was the culprit. I can’t multitask anymore. I have to do one activity at a time or else I will start 50 projects and not get one of them done. With the cleaning frenzy I was in that day, I couldn’t focus on one thing and multitasking was nonexistent.
You can see how easy it is to blame everything that’s negative in your life on Parkinson’s. But when do you determine that you’re just doing what everyone else goes through… aging?
I share many of the same thoughts as you. This is especially the case for #3. I didn’t recognize the majority of the artists receiving awards which reminded me that I’m no spring chicken…….what’s a spring chicken anyway?!
Good post. Keep ’em coming!
Hello PerkyParki,
I run the blog parkinson-journal.de in Germany and with over 1000 articles and more than 300000 page views per year it is one of the most visited internet platforms about Parkinson’s in Germany.
I find your blog extremely refreshing and would like to, if it’s okay with you one or the other article of you translate into German and publish on my site. Of course you can do the same with articles of mine if you like.
I would of course name you as the author and link you.
What do you think about it? I am looking forward to a positive feedback
Jürgen Zender
parkinson-journal.com Hello PerkyParki,
I run the blog parkinson-journal.de in Germany and with over 1000 articles and more than 300000 page views per year it is one of the most visited internet platforms about Parkinson’s in Germany.
I find your blog extremely refreshing and would like to, if it’s okay with you one or the other article of you translate into German and publish on my site. Of course you can do the same with articles of mine if you like.
I would of course name you as the author and link you.
What do you think about it? I am looking forward to a positive feedback
Jürgen Zender
parkinson-journal.com
Hello Juergen,
I would love for you to translate my blog into German! Whatever I can do to help reach people! Thanks for offering!
You seem to look the same to me. It’s been a while since we saw each other. Think of you often
Hi Sara,
It’s great to hear from you!
Well, I wasn’t going to say anything, but now that you brought it up…
I have noticed that you are slowly turning to the Grey Side. Welcome!
Thanks for the welcoming party Dad!
I have asked that question many times since I was diagnosed oVer 18 years ago. I am reluctant to
mention any of these questionable conditions to either my gp or my neurologist for fear I will be sent on a wild search party . I just do a
little research and as is the usual case there no definite answer to be found. So I chock it up to old age.
Nate
Hello Nate,
Keeping yourself educated by doing a little research is always good!
I’m with you Melissa… just getting the minimum things done is enough more often than I care to admit ‘cuz I’m tired
Perky, I have to say that the first five of your issues are definitely due to aging. I know because I live with a lot of older people and I hear many tales similar to yours
That last one though caught me up short. Don’t tell me that my emptying out my garbage Monday looking for the Invisiline retainers was due to PD. After
thoroughly sifting through it all twice I stood up and there they were. . . on the kitchen counter . . . after I had forgotten I was looking for them! Now that may be due to something entirely different… say… fear of losing my straightened teeth at any age. Just face it Perky, you are aging and that is good when you consider the alternative.
Hi Eugenie,
Ha! I will stay away from the alternative.
EXCELLENT – You are both in the same place (cognitively speaking)
Thank you for the humor on a day I very much needed it.
Hi Nancy,
Happy to hear that my blog brighten your day a bit!
It happens to all of us who are fortunate enough to make it this far! One thing I’ve learned is to take my tweezers and magnifying mirror to a window, patio or balcony that gets a lot of natural light – amazing what you’ll find.
Hi Jan,
Nice to hear form you and thanks for the natural light tip… genius!
Gosh, I relate to the “getting pretty” trials! It takes ages and doesn’t look as good as it should……
Hi Posy,
You know what I mean! It takes so much effort for mediocrity.
Yes, multitasking is inconceivable now. That said, it sounds like you managing to gets lot done. 👍
Hi Mark,
I can make it through some of my to-do list, but I really have to keep redirecting my train of thought… one thing at a time!
Perky, I agree totally, we are on a different level of living, far removed from the lucky unencumbered humanity. I was at a restaurant the other day; while my family blasted to the entrance to get their name on the list, I realized I’d forgotten my cane. Well, sometime later as I regained their company, realizing they had chosen a large booth to dine, rather than a table, where I could push off from a chair, I thought, does anyone really give a @#$t ?
They were engrossed in conversations, each one jockeying to be the center of the discussion. I again thought to myself, having my voice reduced it to a mere whisper, and unable to venture a comment, how absolutely trivial their problems were, and the B.S. that flowed like a spilt drink. There’s times when remaining silent seems to illuminate whose full of crap, more than another. Did you ever notice how acutely aware we are, of others who also suffer…
Dear William,
My husband and I recently attended our granddaughter’s 4th birthday party. It was a small family gathering in the home. As my husband sat at the table surrounded by family, I took a more comfy seat in the living room and just watched. As the conversation around the table picked up and got louder, my husband sat quietly listening but not joining in. It was almost like he wasn’t there. Shortly thereafter, we retreated to another room and the grandkids joined us for some good conversation. He doesn’t try to fit in with peers at this point, but finds acceptance with the grands who will give him a physical and mental boost to keep him going. As for forgetting your cane, you are not alone. It’s not only the cane or walking sticks he forgets, but also the cell phone, meds, etc. We push on…
Hi William,
It’s amazing to watch the world around you go on without you even if it’s just a casual dinner with family. Thank you for sharing.
DITTO…DITTO… DITTO! EXCELLENT QUESTIONS THATS BEEN ON MY BRAIN RECENTLY. 🧠 LIKE WHEN DID KIDS AGGARAVATE ME SO MUCH OR THE MULTITASKING…I HAVE BEEN HITTING PROJECTS 15 MINUTES AT A TIME. FINDING SOME SATISFACTION IN GETTING SOME THINGS COMPLETED. HEY, I’M JUST HAPPY IF I SHOWER, BRUSH MY TEETH AND PUT ON DEODORANT. THATS A WIN FOR ME!! 😅😅😁🤣😂🤣
Hello Melissa,
It’s good that you break up your projects into 15 minute periods. Great idea!
Even thi hot weather is due to PD
Hello Aldon,
Hot weather is not Parkinson’s best friend!