A Long Cold Aching Winter
It's been a beautiful winter, especially January. Snow, cold, snow, cold, yada, yada, yada. See, everything in life comes down to a Seinfeld episode.
I was wondering what effects this extreme weather has on Parkinson's patients and their meds. First stop was The National Parkinson's Foundation. Their response...
"There is no research that we are aware of on the effect of weather on PD symptoms. However, from conversations we've had with PD clients throughout the years, it seems weather extremes seem to make symptoms worse for some people."
I next went to a fellow Parkinson's patient. Asked him if winter conditions caused problems? " Hmmmm...never really thought of that. I do seem to move slower when it's colder."
Next stop is a fellow blogging colleague who has MS. Not the same thing but I was curious about other neurological diseases. "Yes. My legs get sore and I don't want to go outside. I think it makes sense it would bother your Parkinson's."
From these statements, can I come to a conclusion? Close but not yet.
When winter was beginning, I found an article that gave people with Parkinson's advice on how to deal with winter. It said to be careful walking in icy conditions. Your body will move slower when it's cold. It will take longer for you to warm up in extreme cold temperatures.
Well ok now. That was something I never knew before (eyeroll).
Since this is my blog, I may as well add in my 2 cents to the discussion.
When I wake up my knees and shoulders ache. They do in the summer, too...just not as much. Takes me a little longer to get going.
Am I care when walking outside? You bet I am! I've noticed I look down while walking instead of straight ahead. I hit a slick spot almost every day, but no falls yet. Let's not jinx it!
I'm also very leery of stairs. At the beginning of winter, the CTA stairs were giving me trouble, so I took elevators, whenever possible. I seem to be doing better now. I just take my time. If someone wants to pass me, go right ahead. No hurries, no worries.
Ok Mr. Blogger...now can you finally come to a conclusion? Well, maybe I can.
All these things apply to healthy people as well as the neurologically challenged folks. When it's bitter cold and snowy, no one feels great. Everyone needs to be more careful. We in the PD community just need to be a little more careful.
As for the "no studies on weather conditions effects on PD", why the Hell not? I would think that would something important to know, but maybe it's just me. I think I'll write a note to the M.J.Fox Foundation!!
I know what you're thinking now. Dude...you didn't find anything we already know. True. Sorry about that. However, stats show it only takes about two minutes to read one of my pieces. I spent a few hours on this. How do you think I feel?
Enjoy your weekend. I hear there's lots of snow on the way. Be careful out there....but you already knew that.