Tight muscles, random achiness, weird and unexpected pains are visiting me on a regular basis and are signs that something is off. I’ve been to my Primary Care doctor who referred me to a Physical Therapist and yet, the overall discomfort and pain persists. So, I have sent my doctor a note asking about anti-anxiety meds. We’ll see if she thinks they might help.

I’m not alone in this, most of the CarePartners I know have expressed feeling stressed, tired and anxious about what tomorrow might bring. I am on alert 24 hours a day while caring for my husband. My CarePartner’s brain (which by the way is shrinking thanks to our situation) doesn’t know how to let go even when we have helpers in the house. The constant vigilance creates tight muscles leading to achiness or injury and impacts my immune system leaving me more susceptible for flu, colds and viruses.  

Unfortunately there aren’t a lot of treatment options other than the over used “self-care”. I am in support groups, I am participating in a Mindfulness program, I exercise and I see a therapist. I am doing all the right things yet still my body is stuck in overdrive and I get to experience the physical ramifications that come along with it. I hope recognizing the potential damage, discussing it with my medical team, and trying to contain it is enough. I guess only time will tell.

For more information on CarePartner stress check out the following articles I found on line- https://www.caregiver.org/resource/caregiver-health/ and https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/blog/parkinsons-care-partner-meetup-june-2026/.