Weight Problems
Weight Problems
I have lost a lot of weight in the last month. I am having problems swallowing at times and feel full fast so am not eating as much as I should. I have found I have to stay away from alot of Protien as it interferes with my medications. Has anyone else noticed a large weight drop?
During the first year after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease my doctor prescribed more Levodopa than I could handle.That, along with the huge reduction of inflammatory foods in my diet led to me losing 25 pounds. This was very alarming because I lost this weight from an already skinny body. Since then we have determined my body's optimal Levodopa intake and I have also better determined which foods I need to avoid, and I have regained 10 of the 25 lost pounds.
I was diagnosed in 2009 and had most of the symptoms but not weight loss. Then I noticed that I went down one size in clothes last fall (which I attributed to yoga and exercising). Now the weight is coming off quickly so I am trying to eat more. I did not think I had lost my sense of smell but my neurologist said it may be less than it was. I also have some trouble swallowing, had testing done and recommendations from the therapist (smaller bites, eat slower, sip of water every 2-3 bites), which helps when eating, but I also have trouble when I lie down at night. It feels like I am choking when I cannot swallow.
@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member – Eat anyway! Use your fingers, if you have to. It beats spewing a forkful of peas all over! But laugh if you end up repainting your surroundings with your food! It does have that certain slapstick humor. Use a straw to drink. Remember the flavor of food or make up something wonderful. We don’t eat for the taste, but for the nourishment. Ensure or other similar adult nutrition boosters really help. (You can use a straw on these too if it helps.)
When you’re slow, just say “Sorry, I have Parkinson’s.” That’s enough. Thanks to Michael J. Fox, Alan Alda and others, people understand now. You can practice at home getting your billfold out of your purse until it becomes smooth & easy again. Or get it out before you get to the checkstand. Or grab your keys, then lock the rest of your purse out of sight in the car & only bring your billfold and your keys (in your pocket or attached to you with a carabiner) into the store. My dad (he doesn’t have PD) is 91, and he likes to put the checker and the people behind him at ease by telling this joke while he is waiting on the checker: “There was a 90-year-old man at the checkstand. He was very slow, so the impatient young man behind him started cussing him out. The older man turned around and said ‘If you don’t stop that, I’ll write a check!’ ” I hope these ideas help! Stay nourished, keep up your strength, and go out in public lots! There is nothing unacceptable about being slower than you are used to, or clumsier.
A MyParki...
@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member - have you tried physical or occupational therapy for the swallowing? It is supposed to help.tremendously! Also @Mpang123 once mentioned something about some info to help swallowing
A MyParki...
Before I had PD,about 2 and ahalf years ago I kept trying to lose weight. PD did it!
I have lost 30 lbs and each month lose another pound. I might gain 2 and lose 1. I haven't been this thin since I was about 16 years old. I would like to gain some weight, don't like the bony feel. Of course having the swallowing problem, sometimes I can eat and other times I can't swallow drinking.
