Parkinson's Disease Support Group
Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...
Sometimes I have what feels like major panic attacks and feelings of spinning out of control. Is this normal? Is this part of the disease, lack of dopamine, or is it an emotional response to finding out I have this disease?
I do really well physically and emotionally when my life is normal and I follow my routine. However, lately, sometimes when life gets the least bit complicated and stressed, such as children and their families coming to visit, or our laid out plans get jumbled and we have to scramble to make decisions on new plans, when I feel rushed, or even when a problem is presented to me at work - I get these feelings of extreme panic. The panic is irrational and unpredictable. Most of the time I can calm myself down and work through the issue step by step, but a couple of times, I have had angry emotional meltdowns. These meltdowns only happened with my husband - poor guy - and are not my normal angry, but more of a bizarre response to something that would normally not be a problem. The thing is, I can't even identify what I am feeling at the time, other than it's just a panicky feeling of things spinning out of control, and that makes me angry for some reason.
My body reacts to the least bit of stress by shaking and that bothers me which causes more stress. Sometimes I feel like a ticking emotional time bomb ready to explode. And other times I am normal and can work through what I need too.
I know I am in an adjustment period and there are a lot of emotions rolling around inside of me. Is that part of these moments of panic? Does this go away? I am just trying to figure this all out in order to find productive solutions to handling these panic moments.
I do really well physically and emotionally when my life is normal and I follow my routine. However, lately, sometimes when life gets the least bit complicated and stressed, such as children and their families coming to visit, or our laid out plans get jumbled and we have to scramble to make decisions on new plans, when I feel rushed, or even when a problem is presented to me at work - I get these feelings of extreme panic. The panic is irrational and unpredictable. Most of the time I can calm myself down and work through the issue step by step, but a couple of times, I have had angry emotional meltdowns. These meltdowns only happened with my husband - poor guy - and are not my normal angry, but more of a bizarre response to something that would normally not be a problem. The thing is, I can't even identify what I am feeling at the time, other than it's just a panicky feeling of things spinning out of control, and that makes me angry for some reason.
My body reacts to the least bit of stress by shaking and that bothers me which causes more stress. Sometimes I feel like a ticking emotional time bomb ready to explode. And other times I am normal and can work through what I need too.
I know I am in an adjustment period and there are a lot of emotions rolling around inside of me. Is that part of these moments of panic? Does this go away? I am just trying to figure this all out in order to find productive solutions to handling these panic moments.
One very mportant fact about PD ..... None of us "present" in exactly the same way to our neuros.. Thst is why it is imperative that you be examined by a MDS. A Movement Disorder Specialist is a specially trained neurologist yrained to "recognize" the telltale signs and symptoms of PD. There sre no known tests to dx PD. contrary to what some would, amd will try to get you to believe, Most of the lab "worik ups" are done to RULE OUT any other possible hidden causes of your symptoms. Once all of the expensive testing is completed, with no defonotove results, there is still no vlear indication that a person has PD. Yhatis why ot'd do importanr that you DEMAND A REFERRAL to a MDS! One thing I will share with you and other "mewbiess" ..... A MDS "worth his/her salt" will begin a suspected PD patient out on what is called a "titration schedule" of Sinemet (Carbidopa/Levodopa)/ Ntot Requip or Mirapex (two vkery dangerous drugs BTW).
Sinemet and/or its generic counterpart are known as the Gold Standard in the treatment of PD and its many aymptoms.
I will be more than happy to share with you the day to day iiving with PD! That is my wish, my dream, my desire, my passion, my life mission. My way to "Pay It Forward" to honor those who held my hand so many yearsi ago/ All I expect in return is a silent commitmrnt that y'all will do the same one day!