It has
been 11 years since I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and like most patients over
the years I have tried a varied cocktail of pills, trying to find the right
balance and effective treatment possible. Pills come in every colour imaginable
and vary in size and shape.
What
mystifies me, is how some medications, that are expressly for Parkinson’s
disease are sometimes quite large making them difficult to swallow, causing
panic. Why have pharmaceutical companies not thought of this problem? With
today’s technology, how difficult can it be to make pills small, instead of
producing some large enough to make one wonder if they are intended to be taken
orally or put elsewhere?
Apart
from size, surely it's possible to coat all pills in a hard candy like
shell, instead of the powdery outer coating that can get stuck if not
swallowed quickly, sticking to the roof of one’s mouth or worse still at the
back of the throat, disintegrating in one’s mouth instead of being swallowed.
For many
Parkinson’s patients, swallowing can become problematic. I am fortunate enough
to have weekly sessions with a highly professional charming doctor who specializes
in swallowing and speech therapy. I try to do the exercises several times a day,
as part of my daily regime.
It’s been
a busy week and am looking forward to the weekend. Wishing you all good health –
until next Friday, it’s over and out from me!
You make a valid point! I wonder why large stores don't
ReplyDeletehave the occasional chair for folks who can't stand for
long periods but aren't ready for a wheelchair.
You are right on the mark about the pills. My husband has Parkinson’s and has difficulty swallowing. I admire you tremendously and as his caregiver you have inspired me to be more cheerful and less “controlling”.
ReplyDeleteThe world should hear your story. I wake up in the morning wondering how you are today. Aloha from Hawaii.