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...

509 Members
3,338 Posts
0 Online
Brain & Nervous System
/ Parkinson's Disease Support Group

"Do you ever "hit a wall"?

readerleeder
readerleeder
I don't mean literally as in anger or losing your balance, but metaphorically, as in you just can't do anymore.

I seem to be experiencing a lot more of these occurrences lately. No recent changes to meds (since early January), not attributed to missed meds (though that happens, too).

I just reach a point late afternoon or early evening when I just can't go on. I have to sit down the rest of the day or go to bed.

My short-term goal is to contact my doctor to let him know what is happening. My long-term goal is to start tracking everything again. I stopped tracking after three months.

In the meantime, I'm wondering if anyone else experiences this, or rather what you are doing when it happens or to prevent it from happening.

Thanks.
Zlata
Zlata
Yes it happen to us all.You have to slow down. Not enough energy.I exercise regularly, which restores some of it. but mostly i just rest and let others do , what use to be so ease before.i hired a cleaning service, once month and they do the work for me.My husband does the cooking and shopping i just give him my list. I still play bridge once a week. I learn not to sweat the small stuff and live my life the best I can.Yes from beginning i hit the wall and cry from frustration ,but soon I learn. Take it ease my friend do what you can and when you run out of stem relax and laugh.
hope4acurenow
hope4acurenow
Yes I think it's s way your body tells you that enough is enough. If you don't slow down I will force you to. I earned quickly that to function smoothly you must listen to your body. Sometimes it's not a good time but everything will be right were you left it, soon enough you will accomplish what needs to be done.

You will see how much easier things are when you just lay back and accept what is in front of you.
readerleeder
readerleeder
Well, I did it again.

I felt great Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, so I worked, worked, did, did, did, and went, went, went.

Thursday I paid the piper. I hit the wall.

I missed out on my future son-in-law's birthday celebration.
I missed out on getting to know his family.
I missed out on spending time with my family.
I missed out on laughter, fun, and memories.
I missed out on a good meal.

Instead, I sat in the car in the restaurant parking lot, cold and alone, barely able to move or speak, retching nothing, and trying to fall into a fitful sleep.

So, okay, I get that I overdid it for three days, but what I don't get is how to be quiet, restful, and taking it easy when I have so much energy. I want to use all that I have because someday I may have none. It's not right that PD gets to take away my speed, agility, and coordination, essentially my time, on bad days, but more so, gets to take away my time on good days, too, because I have to rest! Phfffft! Is what I say about that!
hope4acurenow
hope4acurenow
Yes, I too have lots of things to do and really want to accomplish what needs to be done. I just worked two eight hour shifts and today my body wants a rest day. I just want to reorganize my home but not today as my body won't move the way I want it to. Everything take twice the effort and energy so now I just sit here and go on the internet and browse around. Acceptance is difficult but that is what you have to do! My mind is active and my body just won't take any more.

Rest I shall!!
readerleeder
readerleeder
Well, this is apparently a lesson/life skill I WILL be learning, whether I like it or not! I did some (very little) shopping after church on Sunday, started to feel "that feeling" and went home. I rested a bit, but then had to prepare the meal for our family dinner. I had to ask for help throughout because I knew I wouldn't make it otherwise. Even so, I hit the wall just before serving. Kids (adult) put everything on the table and I tried to sit down and eat. After a few bites, I had to excuse myself and go to bed. I hate that I'm not with the family for these family dinners. That is the third Sunday in a row.

Last night was the real kicker though. I worked 13 hours, a good part of it moving heavy furniture and then was hit all of a sudden: nausea one minute, then dizzy with cold sweat, then nearly lost consciousness. I had to have the custodian drive me home.

Now, don't get me wrong, I KNOW I shouldn't be at work that long under any circumstances. I know I shouldn't do so much. The trouble is in the moment I feel like I can. I have the energy. I have the strength. It needs to be done. So I do it.

Then I pay for it. But this kind of behavior leading to what happened last night, could get me fired. The custodian agreed not to tell anyone, but I have to take responsibility for myself.

I'm going to make a statement here and I'll post a new goal. I WILL NOT STAY AT WORK PAST 6:00 EVER AGAIN .

I'm taking a pretty big baby step. I'm actually off work between 3:30 and 4:00, depending on when I go in. I'll move up my leave time in 30 minute intervals until I'm leaving no later than 4:30. I say 4:30 for now because I have one student I more or less babysit until 4:30. He helps me out a ton.