Spent another hour at my surgery this afternoon, talking to 4 medical students about Parkinson's. Once again my GP had not told them what kind of neurological problem I have and they had to work it out for themselves by questioning me about symptoms. Because I have no tremor and appear quite normal, when on meds., it took them a while to figure out I had Parkinson's.
These sessions not only give the students more of an insight into PD, but also help my GP understand what it means to live with this wretched illness. I try and give as much information as possible. Today I tried to describe what 'on' and 'off' meds. felt like. I said that when 'off', I felt like a puppet with a puppeteer dangling my strings so I couldn't move properly, but when 'on', it was like all the strings were taut and movements were much easier. I also told them that sometimes it was like walking through treacle. (Not that I've ever tried it!). Hope they understood what I meant! They probably thought I was some mad woman!!!!
Twinks.