Pain Management of Parkinson’s

Whoever said you don’t have pain with Parkinson’s either was seriously misguided in concealing the truth for the assumed benefit of the patient or simply doesn’t understand Parkinson’s in depth and is ill informed.

Living with pain 24/7 has to be dealt with and cannot be brushed aside as a figment of one’s imagination or simply something one has to put up with. When it comes to chronic on-going pain, although I am not a doctor; as far as “pain” is concerned, I am unfortunately a patient with a lot of experience! 

Serious pain interferes without doubt in every aspect; one’s daily activities, mood, naturally sleep, for who can sleep with throbbing pain throughout one’s body? I sure can’t, and I’ve been living with pain for years, so it’s certainly not from a lack of practice! Loss of appetite can also be attributed to pain, for trust me, nothing appears appetising when suffering pain. Physical activities obviously are affected and this is where the dangerous downhill curve of functional decline and general quality of life including social withdrawal can change drastically. When you are in chronic pain, you don’t feel like being anywhere, with anyone, doing anything. It’s just all too much.

However, this is where I go the extra mile because I refuse to let Parkinson's get the better of me. I continue to take on public speaking engagements, despite the pain, for this is where I feel I can truly contribute something unique, teaching doctors in particular what it’s like to be in my shoes. When in the past I’ve spoken to an audience of doctors at a conference, I am often asked if I’d like to sit whilst delivering my 45 minute talk. I always decline this invitation, no matter how tempting it is, for my aim is to grab the audiences attention, and sitting down immediately puts a speaker at a disadvantage. So I take a pain pill about 20 minutes before I am due to speak, and manage to deliver my talk effectively, standing the entire time. Is it any wonder why my husband says I'm 'stubborn'.

Have you got a beautiful tablecloth you never use for fear of  a stain or two? What has this got to do with Parkinson’s I hear you say? Take a look at my latest article in The Huffington Post and find out.