I have missed writing for you. I know it seems that I might have dropped off the face of the earth (although at times I certainly feel like I am being swallowed alive and the safest place is my cozy couch aka the “Diva couch” if it could only talk the stories it would tell). So if it could talk it would say get up and do something other than watch the same soap for the umpteenth time and stop playing candy crush- these two things I have discovered are my OCD’s (obsessive compulsive behaviors) when my levodopa is running way low and I am in dire need of something to boost my dopamine levels, okay lets not forget my sweet binging that also comes along with that sudden drop of L-dopa. I am sure you all have a secret stash of your favorite sweets like chocolate, gummy bears, cookies, and lots of caffeinated drinks! These all release (sugars that is) a great burst of dopamine that helps to energize motivate and move us. Unfortunately, these are very short lived and don’t do much for the waistline of any Diva ( guys/men I am leaving you out because you know that if you don’t eat for a day or two you will be at least 10 lbs lighter). women however because of our fat distribution and hormones it is not only harder but after we hit a certain age – you know menopause hits and the weight decides to come along for the ride. That’s life isn’t? you think i wont have to deal with that any more and then Bam! there is something else. That’s been my life for the last couple of years and this year began with Covid as so many of you have experienced. Seems like everyone I know had it during the holidays and most were better within a week but not me. I have to do everything BIG- 3 months later I finally awoke from a stuporous state and 15 lbs more of me too love. I guess all that sleeping tricked my body into thinking I was in a hibernating mode. I celebrated New year in March! After all life is not how is drawn but rather how you decide to color it.
As I said earlier, I have a couple of Ocd’s so watching my favorite movie over and over is not big deal but when i started feeling the need to purchase lives for candy crush that was an eye opener. Not because I ever spend more than $2 is the principle I have never been a gambler. I been to Vegas several times and I think I spent probably no more than $10 on any games total for all the times summed together and this includes money shared with my husband. So the amount is not the subject as much as the new interesting urge to spend money on something that before I would never even think about twice. That’s because in order to release some dopamine I need some short term gratification. why did this happen after nearly 16 years with PD and nearly that long on agonists – the answer unopposed agonist. I began having more side effects of my levodopa med which prompted me to stop on some days and interestingly the days without L-dopa that’s precisely when I needed and craved sugar and caffeine as well as needed to watch my favorite novela -“like an itch that had to be scratched” in order to find satisfaction with release of much needed dopamine but without medicine this is not sustainable. Hence, the recurrent behavior which tends to escalate due to its up-regulation of brain dopaminergic receptors needing more and more to get same effect. Thank goodness, I was introduced to new medicine long acting COMT inhibitor –Ongentys (Opicapone) and is once a day. So now I am still on same agonists but back on my levodopa at lower doses yet effect is enhanced due to once a day pill. i went from levodopa working about 4 hours back up to 7 hours – no more ocd’s!!! I am sure everyone is happy having me back to normal because they were tired of me being on couch watching same Turkish drama over and over and perhaps a couple of dollars richer we can spend on something fun or delicious.
The new medicine was the turn around for my energy this year that’s not to see I did not have any more health issues. That’s like asking the sun not to shine- impossible!
The reason I have not been writing much is been my involvement in national and international organizations trying to improve resources, research and treatments around the globe for Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers. I had a great birthday thanks to Vanessa and Allen who are documenting PD in young onset which will be televised next year on PBS. Although, after 2 days of filming I crashed yet the experience was unforgettable. I had forgotten how much fun it is to have a Birthday party!
Parkinson’s Diva 50th!
As you can see despite all the downs there are always ups and good things if you learn to trust your inner self and learn to sparkle even on the darkest days. ( These pics are just but a few snap shots of what I been up to this year working with Adira Foundation, Parkinson’s Foundation, PEC FDA, WPC Barcelona, PMD alliance, Michael J Fox, Wego health, Give for a smile making promotores across Latin America and the Latino PDGENEaration council). I am blessed to be able to be a voice for the women with PD around the globe but we need more courageous, determined and strong women like you to join the ranks so i hope you consider going to the ALL IN SUMMIT this fall In DC to meet other Parkinson’s leaders. It does not matter if you are a seasoned veteran, just starting or simply wanting to learn more about advocacy. Here is the link to find out more and register
Empezaremos con el tema de la mujer y el impacto en la sociedad tanto como paciente al igual que al cuidador – espero verlos por alla este jueves 8 de Septiembre del 2022 a las 4 de la tarde horario pacifico
“If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a hope-er, a prayer-er come sit by my fire…. Shel Silverstein
Poem Invitation
Unlike the magical place described by Shel Silverstein in his poem that starts off with “There is a place where the sidewalk ends and before the street begins….” those of us who live with Parkinson’s disease know an entirely different realm one that does not always lead to childlike joy and heaven like peace rather to a reality of struggle and frustration that may be dark and dreary at times. Nevertheless, I continue to strive each day to find happiness and gratitude in the mundane even as I watch my Parkinson’s advance just a tad each day.
“You look great!” echoes in my mind, as I struggle to get dressed and start the day. If I could only feel as I look. I sigh getting both of my legs caught on one pant leg nearly causing me fall to the ground flailing my arms all about and with that motion all the clothes on the hangers next to me come tumbling down. I stare at the mess on the floor beginning to perspire as I am still struggling to put on my pants. I attempt to pick up the clothes on the ground with my feet since I am too stiff to bend down and have a frozen shoulder preventing me from raising it fully to grab the hangers dangling on the rack. I inhale deeply and blow out a loud exhale in frustration as I contemplate the mess all around me wondering when I am going to be able to put the pile fast accumulating, on the island by now, from all the fallen clothes back on its hangers. I Definitely need more dopamine! If only it was as simple as that. I know that’s the answer. But how do I make my body understand what my brain needs to function and not fight it as if it was some foreign toxin. Half-jokingly I exclaim, this fight is not over! I am in charge here and smile inwardly to myself thinking: “well, at least I look good.” I find comfort that at least I still can pull it together and appear ‘normal.’
Never mind I can’t sleep until the wee hours of the morning or that I can’t function until nearly noon because it takes me at least an hour after I wake up to get my bearings on. That any attempt to communicate with me prior to this will be met with great resistance and in- cohesive mumbling. Forget making any crucial decisions before the brain fog lifts. Until that happens, I cannot tolerate loud sounds nor bright lights. A drop of sunshine makes me retrieve as if the light touching my skin would make me spontaneously combust as we have all seen in the old vampire movies. So I wear my Jackie -O shades everywhere only fueling the image of the “Parkinson’s Diva” and I laugh as I retrieve into a dark area of the house where I can relax and take off my shades and wait for medications to kick in and side effects to wear off before I can tackle the day and so it goes… yet despite the daily challenges, struggles, and mishaps I still think of the beauty of life and all the friends I have made along the way and all the firsts I have lived as a result of PD. I stop and wonder how far I would be able to travel in this path? I say to myself that if I purposefully continue to “walk with a walk that is measured and slow” I think one day despite all my invisible struggles I too will reach the site “where the chalk white arrows go” and “where the moon-bird rests from its flight.”
Poem by Shel Silverstein – Where the side walk ends
“It is not easy to be a pioneer- but oh, it is fascinating! I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world.” Elizabeth Blackwell
For me, living with Parkinson’s disease as a woman is a lot like being a woman in the field of medicine – the ones that are successful are the ones that rise above the challenges and obstacles in their path.
Although we have come a long way in both arenas having displayed great courage, fortitude, and self-determination to make our voices heard, the ‘Women with Parkinson’s movement’ is just now gaining momentum. This is an exciting time for all of us who struggle daily to be mom, wife, lover, sister, friend, caregiver and whatever else we choose to be despite PD.
Surely you can all remember a time when you thought it was impossible to achieve a dream but somehow you managed to find the inner strength to persevere. Although it seemed insurmountable you never let up until you reached that goal. Do you recall how wonderful it felt to finally attain what you were after? That passion and that drive must be harnessed daily. For me, the unwavering determination I once possessed to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor is the same that has inspired me to keep moving forward over the last 15 years since I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It is a mental action taken daily sometimes more often to actively challenge the constraints our illness places on our bodies. I like many women have chosen to speak out, reinvent myself, break stereotypes, forge new paths, and bring awareness to issues previously considered taboo and I invite all the women with PD around the globe to do the same.
Sometimes the unexpected changes brought on by life and living with a chronic illness can take us by surprise leaving us discombobulated and dumbfounded, wondering where to go next or what to do.
As you find yourself face to face with an unexpected disease which might leave you Topsy curvy rather than panic or give up; wait awhile gather strength, look how far you have come, and how much you have achieved then with fierce determination choose to rise and challenge your present status to move forward but remember that together we women are stronger and are capable of great achievements and together we can break barriers and reach new horizons.
How will you #ChooseToChallange?
copyright@2021
All rights reserved by Maria L. De Leon (a.k.a. Parkinson’s Diva)
This post was sponsored by Lundbeck, but all opinions within are my own.
While Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world after Alzheimer’s, there is a lesser-known condition that can be associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD), which can often be overlooked but can have a severe impact on quality of life. That condition is called is neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH). Simply stated, it’s a failure of the autonomic nervous system to regulate blood pressure in response to postural changes.
In fact, one of my initial symptoms of PD was low blood pressure upon standing, which was diagnosed as nOH. Once I commenced treatment my symptoms became less pronounced and stayed that way for the last 15 years, until recently, when I began to experience a resurgence of severe lightheadedness. This has caused not only a sensation of weakness in my legs, but on one occasion…
Parkinsons Diva 