Meeting Mr. Freeze

Well I think Fall has finally arrived here on the Gulf Coast and with it came high winds, cooler temps and a miserable soggy drizzle.

It didn't take long for me to learn what this was going to mean for me this year.  I have always been "cold natured" and therefore have always been happier in colder temps than warm.  Last night I got my first indication that may have to change.

First let me address my Parkinson's more specifically.  For those of you who know Parkinson's you know it is as varied as people are.  Some experience resting tremors, some experience muscle stiffness (dystonia) and others involuntary movements (dyskinesia).  My PD is more of the dystonia version and is particularly pronounced in my right foot.  My tremor is less pronounced now with the meds.

The tremor in my right hand had always been an "intention tremor" rather the typical Parkinson's "resting tremor."  Meaning I don't typically see a tremor until my hand needs to got to work.  For example, screwing a screw into wood, using a mouse, etc...  I can typically get a few minutes of work out of my hand before the tremor begins and then worsens pretty rapidly.  This has been delayed somewhat significantly with the medication (Stalevo, Azilect and COQ10) but the more tired I get the more "break through" I experience.  Two other oddities about my tremor are an intense tremor with a hard yawn, but it only last as long as the yawn...weird.  Second, and perhaps more significantly, when I get a chill my tremor comes on with a vengeance.

What this means for me this winter is being more aware of my body temp. The chill on my skin I used to enjoy has now become my enemy.  The chill leads to muscle cramps and aggravated dystonia in short order.  Intense muscle stiffness and difficulty walking are the end result.  Last night, for the first time, I experienced pain in my right arm.

Like a boxer fighting a larger opponent I am trying to "bob and weave" to keep him from landing a hard blow.  Every time PD throws a punch I am just hoping "he" doesn't land it.

I am hoping that being forewarned is being "forearmed" and I can adjust well enough to still enjoy my favorite time of year...time will tell.