Any personal experience with Parkinson's??

[6_Time_Momma]

My dad is going next week to have an MRI. The doctors are looking at him possibly having early stage Parkinson's Disease(I told my mom a couple months ago that I thought he had it, but I am hoping that I "misdiagnosed" him!) This will kill my dad if that <b>is</b> the diagnosis as he is Mr. Handyman......he loves home improvement type projects, etc.

I work with people with Parkinson's, of course, but I'm wondering more about the personal side of it.....how it affected your loved ones emotionally, etc.

 

[Poohlovr]

My dad died from his Parkinsons, which was a rapid advancing type.

My M-I-L also has Parkinsons, but, a different type, according to the neuro doc, slower advancing, without all of the symptoms.

PM me if you wish.

Prayers for your dad.

 

[grinningghost]

My massage therapist's husband has Parkinson's. He's young - I'd guess around 35, but from what she tells me, he sometimes has a rough time with it. He's currently taking some type of natural supplement - I forget what it's called - but she said he's doing great on it. She has said he has up days and down days - alot like the MS that I have, I guess.

 

[KJo719]

My grandmother had Parkinsons. She was older when she was diagnosed with it, but it was still very upsetting for her. She used to knit and crochet (spelling?) all of the time and it got to the point where she couldn't do that at all anymore. I'll say a prayer for your dad.

 

[Mishetta]

My aunt has Parkinson's & hers was slow moving. She was misdiagnosed for years since they said she had a stroke, but later on we found out it was Parkinson's all along. Anyway, my aunt did all that should could when she was able too but now she even needs to be fed. She shakes so badly that the food would fly off her spoon/fork. She still has a great attitude though & still has her sense of humor. She was very accepting to what's happened to her.

My other aunt also has Parkinson's (both are my mom's sisters) but hers is very fast moving. She started showing symptoms last year & is already about as bad as the first aunt I told you about (which it took her nearly 20 years to get to that point). This aunt has crying episodes too & the doctors told her that it has affected her brain.

I guess there are different degrees to this disease & it all depends on how fast or slow moving it is....but hopefully your Dad will do all that he wants to do now before he gets worst.

I'm very sorry. It's sad to watch a person you love deteriorate like that.

My mom was diagnosed with cancer about 8 months ago so there just isn't any good stuff to report out of my mom's family! I understand the strain you will feel during your Dad's illness. Hopefully it won't be Parkinson's though!

 

[PamOKW]

I think a lot has to do with attitude. A close family friend fought the Parkinson's every step of the way. He got out there and played tennis, walked, rode his bike whatever he could do to keep moving and keep fighting. He faced a lot of stares and people assuming he was drunk but he kept going. He also moved to Florida from CT so that he would be able to get outdoors to exercise year-round.

One other problem people sometimes face...."friends" can tend to disappear. Maybe it's human nature but I've seen many older folks change the way they treat their friends who become ill. I'm not sure how old your father is, but it seems like those in their 60's and 70's who don't think they are "old" became scared off by those who start to get the diseases that may effect all of them in the end. Instead of being peers, the sick person becomes the "old" person.

Hopefully, you'll get good news on your Dad. If not, help keep his spirits up. That can make all the difference.

 

[Sonya]

My grandmother had it. I'm 32 and she found out she had it when I was a baby and died when I was 25. We took care of her and grandpa when it got bad but they changed her drugs and they were able to move back into their own home and live a long life together. After grandpa died and she got really bad again we (mostly me at night) took care of her again but it got to be too much for my mom to see her this way. We moved her to a home where she could have round the clock care. She didn't realize what she was doing in her later years but still knew who everyone was. It was really funny when this church-going little old lady would flip people off in traffic.
Sorry, I'm rambling. She lived most of her Parkinsons years with just a little shaking and it was only the last 5 years of her life that things got bad. The drugs they have out now are very promising. Good luck and PM me if you need more info.