Sunday, March 24, 2024
Sunday, March 24, 2024
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Should Someone With Parkinson’s Drive

How Parkinsons Affects The Libido

Parkinsons disease and the sex drive is a complicated issue. Decreased libido is a common complaint in patients with Parkinsons disease. However, certain PD medications particularly dopamine agonists can actually cause an increased sex drive in men and women, known as hypersexuality or sex addiction.

If this happens, and it is out of character for you, it is important to tell your doctor. Other side-effects of PD medications include psychosis and other impulsive behavior such as pathological gambling or heavy drinking. If you experience any of these symptoms, your doctor will most likely change your medication and monitor your mental health.

Psychological Issue: Depression And Sex

With diagnosis and decreased physical capacity, a persons sense of self is disrupted with Parkinsons. Parkinsons itself can cause changes in the brains chemicals that impact ones mood and well-being. Depression can affect up to 40 percent of those with Parkinsons. This is important to realize since sexual disorders may be due to the depression that can come with Parkinsons diagnosis more than by the actual disease itself. The antidepressant medications that may be administered can also result in sexual dysfunction.

Other emotional issues for those who have Parkinsons, which may result in sexual difficulties, include: anger, stress, grief, and mental fatigue. An individual grappling with Parkinsons may experience reduced self-esteem, which can inhibit ones sexuality. Such is made even more difficult by the body image problems that can arise, due to issues like changes in skin texture or the body smell that results from consuming Parkinsons drugs.

The partner of a person with Parkinsons can also have trouble coping with the situation. Issues that may arise include:

  • Fatigue and resentment in taking on more responsibility.
  • Dealing with their own feelings related to a partners diagnosis, like fear, anxiety, and depression.
  • Loss of attraction and sexual interest due to the symptoms of PD, e.g., involuntary movements or changes in appearance, like the lack of facial expression.

Adjusting To Life Without Driving

When older adults are adamant about not giving up their licenses, sometimes family members have to take action themselves by disabling the car or taking it away, Kennedy says.

When driving is no longer possible, you can reduce your need for transportation by taking advantage of delivery services for groceries, meals, and medications and even try at-home service providers, such as a hairdresser. You can also explore other options for transportation, including:

  • Family and friends. Ask loved ones about setting aside time to drive you to the places you need to go.
  • Eldercare providers. Look into senior health or eldercare services that provide transportation.
  • Mass transit. If your city offers it, reacquaint yourself with the public bus or train system, which may be a fast and inexpensive form of transportation.
  • Paratransit. Many communities offer paratransit, in which a driver will pick you up at home and take you where you need to go.

Making the transition from being an independent driver to being a passenger can be difficult. However, creating a network of alternative transportation arrangements to get you where you need to be can go a long way toward helping you adjust.

Marie Suszynski also contributed to this report.

Signs And Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease

Patients of Parkinsons disease may deal with the following signs and symptoms-

Shaking or Tremor: Shaking or tremor usually starts in a particular limb, more often in any finger or one hand. You may even notice a forth and a back rubbing of your forefinger and thumb, known commonly as a pill-rolling type of tremor. parkinsons disease problems major characteristic is tremor in one hand when it remains in rest or in relaxed condition.

Bradykinesia or Slow Movement: With time, Parkinsons disease reduces the physical ability associated with your body movement and thereby, makes even simple tasks very much difficult and much time consuming. You may take relatively short steps while you walk or face difficulty in standing from your chair. Even you may drag the feet while trying to walk and thereby, causing difficulty in your body movements.

Muscular Rigidity: Muscular stiffness may take place in any specific part of the patients body. Stiff muscles may limit the exact motion range and cause pain.

Impaired Balance and Posture: Posture of Parkinsons disease patients may sometimes become stoop or individuals may deal with balance problems because of the disease.

Loss in Automatic Movements: In case of Parkinsons disease, you may deal with reduced ability in performing unconscious movements, such as swinging arms while you walk, smiling and blinking of your eyes.

Changes in Writing: You may face difficulty in writing or the writing becomes small than before.

Serotonin Reuptake Blocking Antidepressants Fluoxetine Sertraline And Paroxetine

Guide to Parkinson

Several other medications have been reported to cause drug-induced parkinsonism and to worsen parkinsonism in people with Parkinson disease, including the serotonin reuptake blocking antidepressants fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine. Two calcium channel blockers available in Europe and South America , which are piperazine derivatives, are thought to cause drug-induced parkinsonism by blocking dopamine receptors. Reports of parkinsonism induced by other drugs, such as lithium and amiodarone, are so rare that only after parkinsonism has developed should the possible drug effect be taken into account. Because lithium is not known to block dopamine receptors, another mechanism is likely. Some animal data implicate an effect of lithium on intercellular signalling via G-protein coupled receptors . One antidepressant, amoxapine, has dopamine receptor-blocking properties and, therefore, may induce parkinsonism. Parkinsonism as a transient side effect of alcohol withdrawal has been reported without later development of Parkinson disease, but it is unknown how common this is .

Results Of Driving Assessment

Reaction times for emergency braking in the test rig were available for 135 patients and the mean time was 0.77 s. The upper limit of acceptable reaction time is usually taken as 1s and 16 patients had a time over 1s.

Onroad assessment scores were available for 118 individuals. The mean score for all subjects was 4.1 , whereas 41 patients had a score >5.

On the basis of all the incar, physical and cognitive assessments, the team judged that 50 of the 154 patients were unsuitable for driving because of concerns over road safety. Of the 104 patients who were suitable for driving, 46 were already driving or were advised to drive an automatic car. A further 10 patients were able to use car adaptations that allowed them to continue drivingfor example, steering knob or handcontrol braking. Two patients who wanted to maintain Class 2 licences were informed that they were not skilled enough for this, but were advised to contact the DVLA, who make decisions on Class 2 licences, which require more stringent criteria.

If A Person Does Have To Stop Driving Because Of Their Pd What Strategies Can Help Them Maintain Their Independence

The COVID-19 crisis is teaching all of us about using alternative strategies that do not require driving to maintain independence for example, online ordering of groceries and medications, telehealth visits with our physicians, and new ways of connecting to our family and friends using technology. We undoubtedly will continue to use these resources even after the COVID-19 crisis ends and all these new strategies can help increase the independence of those who do not drive.

Dont Make Promises You Cant Keep

Never promise not to put someone in a care home, says Jennifer , who took care of her mother for many years. Instead, promise youll make sure they have the best care possible. She explains that its not always possible to keep a parent at home and promising to do so can cause both guilt and resentment. Good care homes provide companionship, activities and other services that you alone may be unable to provide, she adds. She placed her mother in one such home and her mom created many friendships and participated in plenty of activities. Plus, Jennifer noted that nobody minded when her mom repeated her stories over and over or if she got confused. It was a safe and supportive environment.

What Parkinsons Has Taught Me

COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL: In spite of the issues that often make living with Parkinsons a nightmare for Dennis and for me, he and I daily talk about his feelings and mine. Because of this, we constantly make a point of communicating straight up. We dont hide our feelings and opinions from each other. I dont tell other people about what its like living with the disease that I dont tell him directly. He doesnt try to cover up his disappointment in what he can and cant do. Because we communicate, we are able to laugh a lot about things such as breaking glasses or slopping food or typing on a computer. Laughter helps us both deal with frustration and anger and fear.

FLEXIBILITY IS A GIVEN: There is nothing that a person has planned that cant be postponed or changed. Nothing.

PATIENCE IS MANDATORY: Its a lot easier for a healthy person to do things for a person with physical challenges than to wait while they do it for themselves. I am healthy. I could play the role of superwoman. I dont. I encourage Dennis do as much as he can for himself. If it takes him three hours to sweep the walk, so be it. If he needs salt, he gets up and gets it. Dennis has always taken pride in contributing to the well-being of our household. He deserves to participate. It is my belief that if I take over all the responsibilities for running our lives, I will eventually make him weaker and more dependent. This is not a good situation for either of us.

Assessing Your Ability To Drive

The medical report provides an assessment of your fitness to drive. To complete the report, your doctor will refer to a set of medical standards that describe the specific requirements for various conditions, including Parkinsons. These standards can be viewed on line at www.austroads.com.au. VicRoads assesses each medical report on a case-by-case basis and then determines if a driving test is necessary. 

If a driving test is needed it normally begins at your home address, with a VicRoads assessor. You will be asked to drive to places where you would normally go, and are tested on your ability to drive safely on your local roads. You are allowed up to three attempts at this driving test.

If you fail the driving test three times, you may be required to have your driving abilities formally assessed by an occupational therapist experienced in driving assessments.

More information is available from VicRoads. You can phone VicRoads on 13 11 71 or visit their website www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Up Walker Large Posture Walker Mobility Aid

Like other standing walkers, this stands-up walking aid is designed in a way to provide increased stability and safety for Parkinsons patients who have difficulty walking.

But the good thing about this walker is that it has an adjustable armrest support feature. This provides additional support for patients with weak upper body or stooped posture. The padded armrests are height adjustable and extend or shorten, to provide comfortable support. The handgrips easily pivot for optimal wrist position.

The walker also comes with padded handles to help patients transition between sitting and standing easier and safer. It also has ergonomic hand brakes that allow the brakes to be easily locked and provide better control. Whereas, the comfortable fabric seat with a backrest provides a helpful seat when needed.

Its four large 8-inch, multi-terrain rubber wheels allow the walker to navigate smoothly on all outdoor surfaces such as grass, gravel, and even snow. And about its overall frame; it is light, sturdy, and highly durable. You can take it with you outside of your home, walking around, and enjoy the outdoor scenes.

Impaired Vision In Early Stages

Research has found that the ability to drive safely may be impaired even in the early stages of Parkinson’s, as visual symptoms like decreased contrast sensitivity become noticeable. Contrast sensitivity is the ability to distinguish between objects and their backgrounds. This is especially challenging in situations of low light, such as fog, glare, or at night.1,2

What Will My Treatment Involve

10 Early Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease

There is no single, optimal treatment because Parkinsons is such an individual condition and evolves differently for each person. You will need to work together with your doctor to find the right balance of treatments for your specific symptoms.

In the beginning, a single medication or a combination of different medications can be used. Medical treatment is started in low doses and increased gradually. Furthermore, the effects of a medication can vary greatly between individuals and some may experience side effects. Therefore, treatment for people with Parkinson’s requires regular follow-up appointments with a doctor who has a good knowledge of the condition so that adjustments can be made as needed.

Symptoms can be effectively controlled, often using a combination of the following:

See also Treatments and Therapies.

Parkinsons Disease And Sex: What You Need To Know

There is no reason why you cannot continue to have a healthy sex life with Parkinson’s disease. However, studies suggest that around 70 to 80% of those with PD experience sexual dysfunction. These common sexual problems are believed to result from Parkinson’s medication side-effects and psychological issues.

Men and women experience different issues when it comes to Parkinsons disease and sex. In men, common problems include erectile dysfunction, lower sex drive, premature ejaculation and inability to orgasm. Women may experience pain during intercourse, as well as lack of sexual arousal, inability to orgasm and reduced lubrication.

In addition, the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can create physical challenges during sex. Many people with PD experience slowed movement and rigidity that makes any movement difficult. Tremors and involuntary movement can also occur during sexual activity.

Be Honest About Grief And Fear

Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s involves a tremendous amount of grief, says Jacob Brown, a psychotherapist based in San Francisco, CA. You are grieving the loss of the life the two of you had together, the plans you had for the future, and the knowledge that your partner is slipping away from you. He notes that people often think that the way to deal with this is to remain positive and upbeat. In fact, that’s the worst thing you can do, he says. The best way to deal with the grief is to accept it, feel it, and talk about it with your partner. They are feeling grief to as their own life is destroyed by the disease. By sharing the pain, the two of you can be allies and work together. He explains that by hiding your grief you cut yourself off from the person you love the most.

When caring for individuals with dementia-psychosis symptoms, it’s important to note that every person experiences the disease differently and may require a more personalized solution to help them through their challenges. My advice is to continue providing reassurance and emotional care to help them throughout their journey, says Raymond Dacillo, director of operations at C-Care Health Services in Toronto. It can be a scary experience for them and acknowledging their fear and personalizing their care can be extremely useful.

What Is The Best Rollator For Parkinsons Patients

There are many great Rollators available, but if you want the best Rollator for Parkinsons Patients, I would recommend you to go for Medline Freedom Rollator. It comes with high-quality wheels, which provide strong grips on most terrains, and you can easily control them with brakes. Also, it comes with an aluminum frame and a Foldable design, which are icing on the top.

Easy Fold And Go Walker

If youre looking for a standard lightweight walker that is ideal for traveling and has an affordable price, think about this Easy Fold and Go walker. This newly designed mobility aid opens and folds up easily for stress-free portability. This easy-to-use rolling walker, with its sturdy design, allows users to walk with confidence, outdoors and indoors!

This walker is so portable that with the lift of a finger, the Easy Fold and Go Walker easily folds allowing it to be stored in a car, shopping cart, the overhead compartment of an airplane, or discreetly by the users side when not in use.

When it comes to the overall framing, the walker looks very stable, secure, and easily cleanable. Its crafted in a way that supports a weight of up to 400 lbs.

The walker has a height adjustment feature that allows the walker height to be easily adjusted to accommodate users from 4 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 8 inches tall. The 6 inches swivel wheels and rear easy-glide feet allow the user to easily maneuver the walker.

Get Involved Or Stay Involved

Whether you have PD or not, good health is better maintained when you are involved. Work, hobbies, and exercise all contribute to staying engaged and sharp.1 Some suggestions to consider:

  • Keep working
  • Join a support group
  • Join an exercise class

If you have been dependent on driving to get to work or get to fun activities, you may want to seek out other forms of transportation. Do activities with a friend and ask them to drive. You might even hire someone to drive you instead of having to pay for parking.2 There are also shared car services in addition to public transportation and services like access-a-ride. Local Parkinsons groups or organizations can help you to identify transportation options in your area.

How Will My Daily Life Be Affected

Parkinsons is such an individual and personal condition, it affects everyone differently so it is difficult to say to how it will impact on your everyday life. Many people find they can carry on as usual with hardly any problems for some time, but as the illness progresses you will probably find that you need to adapt your routine to make life easier.

The type of symptoms you experience and how well your medication controls them will be a big factor, so keeping a close eye on how effective your medication is and communicating well with your doctor is crucial in managing your Parkinsons and enabling you to continue your usual activities. Keeping in contact with friends and doing the things you enjoy are also important in maintaining a positive attitude and ensuring that you continue to enjoy a good quality of life.

If over time you find some activities start to get difficult, talk to your doctor and other healthcare professionals, they may be able to suggest adaptations or specialist equipment that can help you continue to do these things for longer. 

See also: 

Things You Should Never Say To Someone With Parkinsons Disease

If you have Parkinsons disease or youre a Parkinsons caregiver, you know that the condition affects more than just bodily movements. Its much more than just tremors, stiffness, and the occasional balance problem.

We asked our Living with Parkinsons Disease Facebook community to share some of the most insensitive things people have said about the condition. Here are a few things theyve heard and what they wish theyd heard instead.

Parkinsons is a chronic, degenerative disease. This means that the symptoms get worse over time. Every case is individual, so what your friend looks like or is experiencing may be completely different from a family member suffering with the same disease.

Its impossible to predict where your friend will be a year from now, let alone ten years from now. Motor symptoms are often the first signs of Parkinsons disease. These symptoms include difficulty with balance, trouble walking or standing, and resting tremors. However, these symptoms can be indicators of other conditions too. Because of this, it can take years before someone receives an official diagnosis.

While most people with Parkinsons are diagnosed after the age of 60, the disease can affect anyone over the age of 18. Although theres currently no cure for it, new treatments, medications, and surgeries allow individuals to live a fulfilling and productive life no matter what age theyre diagnosed.

Family Conversations With Older Drivers

3 things you should know about Parkinsons disease

This short web page highlights changes that occur with age that make driving more risky for older drivers, changes in driving behavior many people naturally make to continue to drive safely as they age, best practices for bringing up the issue if you think someone is no longer safe to drive, and some tips for situations in which the older adult refuses to make any changes to their driving habits.

Guidance For People Who Are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable

Some people are at very high risk of severe illness and hospital admission from coronavirus because of an underlying health condition.

If youre in this group, you will have received a letter from the NHS or from your GP telling you this. You may have been advised to shield in the past. Often, Parkinsons alone is not enough to make you clinically extremely vulnerable. 

If youre affected, check the guidance where you live, which may include some additional measures:  

Want More Practical Articles Like This

Much more can be found in a powerful new edition of Davis Phinney Foundations free Every Victory Counts® manual.  Its jam-packed with up-to-date information about everything Parkinsons, plus an expanded worksheets and resources section to help you put what youve learned into action. Color coding and engaging graphics help guide you through the written material and point you to complementary videos, podcasts and other materials on the Every Victory Counts companion website. And, it is still free of charge thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.

Request your copy of the new Every Victory Counts manual by clicking the button below.

Are There Any Changes I Could Make To Help Me Stay In Control

Yes, there are many changes you can make to help you stay in control and remain independent. Adapting your daily routine is one important way that you can help yourself. Choose a time in the day when your medication is working well to embark on any strenuous activities, and always pace yourself, taking rests if you need to. 

There are also many types of specialist equipment to help with activities such as washing, dressing and eating for example. Occupational therapists are trained to help people to maintain their independence and adapt to any limitations they experience. They can advise on special equipment and modifications to your environment or daily routine. 

Many people also devise their own strategies for coping with some difficulties – see Coping strategies videos for a range of ideas. For other helpful hints on everyday living see Helpful hints.

See also Living well.

How To Ease The Transition

Frank discussions with family members and doctors are often enough to convince people with Parkinsonâs disease to modify their driving. Some people may need additional input from a support group, lawyer, or financial planner to ease the transition.

Some people with Parkinson’s disease can continue driving under strict guidelines, although the long-term goal will still be to eventually stop driving. Guidelines for limited driving may include:

  • Drive only on familiar roads
  • Limit drives to short trips
  • Avoid rush-hour traffic and heavily traveled roads
  • Restrict drives to daylight hours during good weather

Itâs important for family and friends to find ways to help their loved one reduce their need to drive. These include arranging for groceries, meals, and prescriptions to be delivered to the home, or for barbers or hairdressers to come to the home.

Itâs also important to help your loved one become accustomed to using alternate methods of transportation, such as:

  • Rides from family and friends
  • Taxi cabs
  • Public buses, trains, and subways
  • Walking

Your local Area Agency on Aging can help you find transportation services for a loved one. Eldercare Locator, a service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, can also assist. Its phone number is 800-677-1116, 

If your loved one refuses to voluntarily limit or stop driving, despite a demonstrated need to do so, you may need to take more aggressive steps, such as:

  • Hiding the car keys

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