From the start of this ordeal, called PD – I was advised periodically, by the Doctor as and when I went for a refill of medicines and reminded almost daily to exercise. Initially I went walking for some days… then stopped. Then started cycling, went on for around a year and then that stopped. Played basketball for few days, hit an end there as well. All this while, one thing continued ways my drinking (call it social). I was very fond of good whiskey and was trying different ones regularly. The pramipexole was as such keeping me almost alright, with pramipexole there was no restriction on what I could eat what I could not, so it was full on.

Then came the change in medicine. As I changed to Levodopa, I gradually became aware of things like ‘ Protein effect’ , that the route used by Levodopa to reach the brain is also used by other proteins and that other proteins block or interfere in the transport of Levodopa to brain etc.

Coming back to how the ‘awakening’ came – one day ( last year around October 2021) a friend had invited us to a dinner at his place and few more families were also attending. I was still keeping my disease a secret and had not told many. I have had a drink or two, we were sitting on the floor and while getting up, I somehow had a balance issue or took more than normal time to stand up. There was one invitee there, who passed a slimy remark at a pitch which was more than audible to me. I felt very insulted and my stress level increased many fold and as my nervousness was increasing I told my wife that we leave the place. There was no scene being made, we were done with the dinner, so told the host and left. On our way back home, I was verting out all sorts of negativities for the person at the party. But after being home and over the next few days I pondered over what happened. May be the guy at the party said something to score a point or elicit a bout of laughter from others, he really did not insult me instead helped me to consider changing course. Then I thought why should do something disregarding my physical condition, and put my family to embarrassment. In few days, I stopped drinking and then smoking.

On my previous visit to the doctor, he did mention of my condition having deteriorated, considering that, i started walking/Running. To bring about some positivity in life, we had in July 2021 brought home a Yorkie, Leo. I stated joining my wife when she would take Leo out.

My walking continues. Me and my wife , Mona we everyday between 6 to 10 KMs. We participate in Mini running events. I have stopped drinking for good. Life goes on.. and would go on till I have the drive in me – Drive to live and to live with PD.