Dr F told me at my last appointment, "You're an ideal candidate for DBS."
I had been telling her of my distress with the increased frequency of "off" periods. I was bumping up my pill consumption, and having more side effects - mainly dyskinesia.
I had thought I would never insert a device in my brain, but here she was describing and recommending Deep Brain Stimulation and I was seriously considering it.
At the same time my interest and involvement with Qi Gong has been increasing. I believe that it could be anywhere from moderately helpful to capable of rendering a full recovery, but have not committed to making it a part of my daily routine. Now, after this new downturn, it was time to commit.
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| A favorite series of qi gong movements |
Once a week I do qi gong at a friend's house. We watch YouTube videos on her large screen television and move along with the video teachers. The rest of the week I do the same, using my desktop computer to access my saved qi gong videos. I am trying to increase the amount of time I spend doing them, spacing out 2 or more videos throughout the day.
In order to have more intensive practice, I am excited about travel plans to see teachers of qi gong at a weekend workshop at Kripalu in Massachusetts and a two week retreat outside of Santa Fe at the Chi Center.
I am finding qi gong works. Every day that I do qi gong I notice that the frequency that I need meds decreases. I have found this to be true again and again. So what if I do more qi gong? I have hope. So no to DBS for now, and I will say no until there is no other option to heal or treat the PD symptoms.
The Chi Center
Kripalu
