B - Balance, Bradykinesia, Brainfog

🐢Bradykinesia - is a word I never knew before PD. Bradykinesia is one of the cardinal signs of Parkinson’s, and for Parkinson’s to be considered, it must be present either with tremor or rigidity. While tremor is the symptom that most people associate with PD, bradykinesia is by far what bothers me the most. Bradykinesia means slowness of movement. For me, it started with my left arm not responding, and I started unconsciously only using my right hand. When my medication is low, my left side becomes extremely slow, making it hard for the rest of my body to move. It is incredibly frustrating.

🤯Brain fog is just what it sounds like. It can abruptly affect your ability to focus and think clearly.

It can make you feel like you are not yourself, and it can be hard to concentrate or communicate. For me, this happens when I am tired or low on meds and usually passes quickly.

🤸🏻‍♀️Balance is also affected by Parkinson’s, but to explain why I had to copy this text from a research paper: “Balance control requires active brain processes that integrate information from all levels of the nervous and musculoskeletal system, not only while moving (dynamic balance) but also while standing still (static balance). The basal ganglia, a key pathologic structure in PD, is involved in controlling balance.” I don’t have significant problems with balance yet. Still, I know I will as the disease progresses. This is one of the things I focus on when I exercise. I sometimes lose my balance and take an extra step, but luckily it has not gotten to the point where it has caused me to fall yet.

☯️Balance also has a different meaning to me, which has become more critical post-diagnosis. Work-life balance, balancing activity vs. rest, balancing what’s urgent/important and what can wait, balancing what I feel I should do vs. what I can, and balancing what gives me energy and what robs me of it. Living with a chronic illness makes you more aware of these fine lines, and it is vital to listen to your body and mind and be kind to yourself. This newfound awareness is something I am grateful for. 🙏🏼