Mixing Medications

The days have flown by, and I find it's Friday once more. Having been under the weather recently, I am beginning to feel as if someone up above is testing my resolve. When suffering any chronic illness, throw into the mix other unrelated health issues, and things really start to get complicated. Many Parkinson's medications aren't compatible with fairly standard ordinary medicines such as anti biotic. Often different patients experience varying side effects, so there is no rule of thumb to go by. This is where trial and error come into play. It's a matter of finding the anti biotic well-suited to you, and making a note of those you've already tried and of which you don't want a repeat performance!

After being on anti biotic for about five days, knowing it's important to complete a course, I spoke to my doctor about the worrying additional symptoms I was experiencing. I was advised to immediately stop the anti biotic, which I did. Pay attention to sudden new symptoms when taking anti biotic or any other medication you don’t normally take on a regular basis, and if necessary, contact your doctor for advice.

Many symptoms of Gaucher and Parkinson's overlap, such as fatigue, and it's not always possible to determine which disease is causing the offending indicators. As plain as constipation might sound, it can become an overriding issue when several factors are the cause. Taking pain medication, being less mobile, Parkinson's itself resulting in the intestines no longer functioning as they should, along with certain Parkinson's medications, all contribute to instigating severe constipation. 

For good measure, add into the equation menopause, and if you're super lucky like me, you'll possibly have additional symptoms. Oh joy of joys, what other surprises could mother nature conjure up? I've become a walking heating system, capable not only of warming the bed, but the entire bedroom. Who'd have thought the menopause could prove to be an energy saving efficient source of constant heat throughout a cold winter's night?

Receiving the very latest medicines available, top treatment and care, is only part of the story. The remainder is up to the patient to undertake and I'm talking about the all important exercise; whether it be in the form of hydrotherapy, yoga, walking with Nordic poles, physiotherapy, etc. Not all health schemes cover these extras, and even if they do, it is usually for a short course of 12 sessions which is hardly enough. Exercise in whatever form should be done on a daily basis if possible or at least several times a week to ensure maximum benefit. This is where one has to start to pay privately, which many families cannot afford. Having financial security and being comfortable, results in the best quality of life. This is what prompted the subject for my article this week in The Huffington Post.

Enjoy your weekend, and it's "over and out" from me till next Friday.