My personal experience of PD
Parkinson’s disease has always been close to my heart as my family has long been friends with an elderly woman who developed PD in her early 60’s. Often times she would ask me to help her out at home if any of her immediate family members is not available to do so. I would do most chores for her but the most important thing is the ironing. Since she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, her skin became very sensitive and fragile to simple fabric creases and because of this, I was always in so much pressure to press her clothes and bed sheets really well. The idea of acquiring eczema has always puzzled me since the beginning. I never knew that PD could create other complications that –in some people’s scope of knowledge – are totally unrelated to the disease.
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Society, PD has the ability to cause the sebaceous glands to produce extra sebum therefore making the skin greasy and shiny. In severe cases, the skin may itch, become red and inflamed hence seborrhoeic dermatitis develops. This is what my friend constantly complains about and has become a nagging complaint in my head as well that she should not be worrying about skin problems when she has bigger things to deal with, but, like a package, skin disorder comes with PD. It is not a serious problem as there are good remedies out there but thinking of a PD patient undergoing this just makes me ask the question, why?
Skin disease is not the only complication that may develop in PD patients, there are things like, muscle cramps, dystonia, pain, eating, swallowing and saliva control, freezing, low blood pressure, motor fluctuations, communication problems and many more. Not all of these however are caused by the disease itself. Their medication is a huge factor that can contribute to the complications as well. My friend was taking ropinirole when she asked me to get her tablets for her one time and because of this, she keeps watch on her blood pressure for the risk of hypotension. Almost about two years ago, I noticed a change in her when I came to visit her, she wobbled uncontrollably and slightly struggled with speech and then she said that, “Well, I had a change in my medication, I am on Sinemet now”
I do not know what I am trying to achieve by writing this blog but I guess I just want to emphasise on how courageous, persevering and brave a patient can be to be able to survive and deal with ageing and disease. I have to be honest with you, she is my hero, always has been. Even before pharmacy happened to me.
*got full marks for this. Thank you Dr. Nabhani!
No comments:
Post a Comment