No question, just statements on possible summer flares

[Judie P]

After spending two solid days sorting, lifting and cleaning rummage sale items, and then spending two days out in the sun and heat, I had forgotten how I felt two summer ago before I was diagnosed.  I am going to mention what I was and am going through right now for anyone, especially newbies, that might have gone through the same things.  Perhaps it will take a little fear out of these scary symptoms.

After two days of minimal sleep, outdoor heat ranging in the 90s, and mid-day sun, The first thing I noticed was how easy it was for me to run out of energy.  By the second day, I started having problems swallowing anything.  I felt this lump in my throat and a tight pull in the right side of my shoulder and neck.  Then my arms could not hold up much, my tremors were worse, and I could not get a good grip with my hands.  Now that I know it is not Parkinson's or MS, I realized that my muscles in my neck and shoulders were so tight that it was causing the nerve endings to be cut off and causing more tremors (to my already essential tremors) and loss of strength in my hands.  My legs began to get stiff and of course,  my back hurt!  Every time I sat down for about five minutes, it was hard to not feel stiff.  I could not make a decision on anything, either.  I was in a total brain fog.

The rest of it started yesterday.  I found myself even with less strength in my arms and legs, constipation setting in, and I could not walk very well.  Thank goodness for walls and railings.  I almost fell down a step and the walls kept me from going down face forward.  I could not move my mouth right, so I had a hard time saying words with "Th" in them.  My tongue felt painful on one side. 

I am not a SJS primary that gets a dry mouth very often, but I have to say that on Saturday, while I was running around trying to help everyone else that was complaining about the heat, hunger, etc., that I suddenly went extremely dry and could not even talk.

Today I was able to grab some things and talk a little better.  My med capsule went sideways down my throat and it was very painful.  I have a hoarse and scratchy throat.  I have a brain back and am looking forward to teaching my new students this evening.  A lot of the stiffness in my legs are gone.

I say all of this because two summers ago I thought for sure I had Parkinson's or MS.  I was put on Prozac for anxiety and told it was all in my head.  I don't want anyone out there to get as stressed or anxiety ridden as I was two years ago.  I am not saying that you should not be checked out for Parkinson's or MS if it is a possibility, I am just saying that once you know what these symptoms are, you can kick yourself in the head for doing stupid things like rummage sales and let the symptoms pass.  Love to all of you.  Stay calm!

[SjoGirl]

Judie, I know what you mean. There is value in knowing what ails you, even if you don't like what it is that ails you. The not knowing and fear are powerful. I let many more symptoms roll off or wait for them to pass than I used to five years ago or even three years ago.

[eija]

Judie...

Can't resist the temptation: Told you so! 

Told you not to kill yourself by overdoing!

Greetings from another one killing herself with overdoing for the last few days...

[Judie P]

I am sure it was the sandwiches I ate those days, Eija.  hahahahahahaha

[eija]

I am sure it was the sandwiches I ate those days, Eija.  hahahahahahaha