Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Stress definitely contributes to PD symptoms. I own a landscape business in Palm Beach, Fla. and the clients are very demanding. When negative situations occur my right hand tremor starts in ernest and I feel hollow inside. I've had the business for 30+ years so I'm used to stress but since my dx with PD it's not the same. I take Effexor and it helps and as you say it goes away after a while but just wanted you to know you're not the only one experiencing these reactions. best wishes Billy

Hi Sanylip. I too am 43 and was just diagnosed within the past year. Now I know what all these tremors are about. And I too notice it gets worse as the stress builds up, particularly in the morning when I need to be SuperMom and get the kids out the door and get to work on time... then the symptoms really flare up. I take yoga a few times a week to de-stress. If anyone finds a good solution, let us know.

I was told by my MDS (movement disorder specialist) that good stress and bad stress affect PD. Not that I wanted this disease but I think my HP (Higher Power, God) was trying to tell me for years that I was too stressed. HP didn't have my attention so she/he gave me a stress-o-meter in the form of PD. PD, for me, is ultra sensitive to stress.
I just cut back as an RN to 4 days a week. When I'm there I no longer try to work for 3 nurses. I get 1 paycheck so I do what I can in 7.5 hours and the rest is for the next shift. I picture myself as a submarine always trying to stay just below the surface of stress.
When I become stressed my legs become stiffer and slower. and I am more fatigued.
Hope this helps

I think stress is the number 1 thing that contributes to everything and makes it worse, I knoww my dad has Parkinson and he cannot do for his self and that stresses him out, this is a horrible diease and my dad is just getting worse, he is 63 and has had this for as we know the last 5 yrs but longer we think. Any advice on muscles like his legs now just lock and does not want to move, he has to be helped up, down and to dress, all kinds of stuff. Thanks Amy

Sandy, here is a good article for relieving stress. Best of luck to you.

http://www.webmd.com/balance/stres...

I have attaxia which is the start of Parkinsons. Yes stress really makes me worse. I slip up my words, i lose all my balance for a while, and i shake bad. Just sit and relax. it helps me.

Stress plays a big part in relation to PD, when I was diagnosed way back the head Nurse told me to avoid stressfull situations as much as you can, which is easier said than done,as like you I was in an unbeleivably stressfull situation on the home side, and I knew I'd have a task on my hands.
My advice is no matter how bad it gets YOU MUST make time to chillout at some point in every day and totally relax in a place where you won't be disturbed.
In the end it's your health at stake here....so what's more important? YOUR HEALTH.
I found keeping to a routine as much as possible works, as sudden changes used to and still does trigger my tremours.

I wish you well
Yours Sincerely Dirk !!;o))

I also have a fairly stressful job as I post news to a government website. I have found that as soon as I get to my desk the tremors begin. I write a list of the things that I need to accomplish during the day and find just doing this itself helps me calm down. I also do some breathing exercises too. I get a lot of last minute "rush" items to post and this compounds the stress. I am learning to take these slowly and not be the "Speedy Gonzales" that I was once nicknamed! Unfortunately a lot of employers put too much stress on the importance of an employees work when what we do is really nominal in the grand scheme of things. Life is just too short to not enjoy each day for what it is. I work to live, not live to work.....

Hello.

What medications are you taking? You could be over-medicated. If you feel you are unable to work for hours at a time, it is the law that the company you are working for must give you "reasonable accommodations". In your case, a simple break and a place to rest or even a nap. It sounds like you have earned it. Stress is the enemy that accelerates the advancement of PD

Don.

I have the start of Parkinsons. But stress makes me shake and lose my balance so bad i cant walk. I just feel empty inside and words
wont come out right.