I Find I Am Staring Into Space Periodically. I Am Newly Diagnosed. Is This A Common Symptom? Thanks | MyParkinsonsTeam

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I Find I Am Staring Into Space Periodically. I Am Newly Diagnosed. Is This A Common Symptom? Thanks
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member asked a question 💭
posted July 2, 2022
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A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

It may also be do to the fact that you are newly diagnosed. Nothing has changed (you have likely had PD for years without being aware of it), but everything has changed. You need time to process this, and, as Teresa said, PD slows down the muscles in your body. I do know that when I was first diagnosed I would spend time just sitting , feeling like an old invalid. As I adjusted and got the meds that were appropriate for me, this feeling went away.
I learned to manage my new reality. A concrete example would be that yesterday my husband and I went to a large family get-together, out from 10:00 am until midnight. I had a great time! Now today just walking across my house is wearing me out (diagnosed 11 years ago), but I expected that and I will spend the day reading, working on a jigsaw puzzle, watching TV, etc, confident in the fact that tomorrow I will be back to what is my normal. I pretty much know what to expect, and I make my choices: a great day is worth the need of a recovery day. Without a plan, I might easily spend today staring off into space, but by now I know what will fill my quiet body time with things I enjoy.

posted July 4, 2022
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

This was so so helpful. Thanks for taking the time to compose this response. The example makes a lot of sense to me.

posted July 4, 2022
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

I have failed to have my depth figured out.

posted July 2, 2022
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

This helps. I think the depth of perception is definitely something i have experienced. I fell getting out of bus and i think this was due to what you describe. Holding on to railing and bannisters to offset poor space judgement. Will raise when i see opthalmologist. Thank you

posted July 2, 2022
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

It is common enough to say it’s highly likely to be PD related. One thing which happens is the muscles in the eyes move slowly just like the rest of the body. I have always been an avid reader but my eyes have trouble with focus and depth perception. Not everyone has the problem, but many do. There are Neuro opthamologists who can treat it sometimes but it’s hard to find them and I’m not sure just what the treatment involves. You’d probably need to be close to a medical school with a well-developed ophthalmology school. The only one of which I’m aware is Michigan State University.
Teresa

posted July 2, 2022

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