Parkinson is very cruel disease. My husband was diagnosed in 2015 but I suspect it began three years prior to diagnosis. Writing and sense of smell were first symptoms. But until 2020 we were blissfully ignorant about this disease. Not completely but mostly ignored it and enjoyed life. Until late in 2020 he fell fracture his hip, surgery, rehab, endless PT, additional therapies, specialists, two more surgeries for his back and everything is getting worse. This man who was exercising two hours a day is unable to do more than few minutes walk. His only hope was Deep Brain Stimulation surgery which could reverse Parkinson for a decade. Potentially. Well, he qualified only to be denied due to different problems not related to Parkinson at all. Now, taking and increasing levadopa is creating another problem, levadopa is apparently responsible for melanin which causes melanoma, he was diagnosed with it and the risk is high of returning. So levadopa helps with symptoms but creates potentially bigger problem. And there is about 40 other symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. One good thing, he does not have dementia. It is cruel disease with no cure.
My husband was diagnosed in 2015 but I suspect it began three years prior to diagnosis. Writing and sense of smell were first symptoms.
But until 2020 we were blissfully ignorant about this disease. Not completely but mostly ignored it and enjoyed life. Until late in 2020 he fell fracture his hip, surgery, rehab, endless PT, additional therapies, specialists, two more surgeries for his back and everything is getting worse.
This man who was exercising two hours a day is unable to do more than few minutes walk.
His only hope was Deep Brain Stimulation surgery which could reverse Parkinson for a decade. Potentially.
Well, he qualified only to be denied due to different problems not related to Parkinson at all.
Now, taking and increasing levadopa is creating another problem, levadopa is apparently responsible for melanin which causes melanoma, he was diagnosed with it and the risk is high of returning. So levadopa helps with symptoms but creates potentially bigger problem.
And there is about 40 other symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. One good thing, he does not have dementia.
It is cruel disease with no cure.
Some people will experience symptoms that others will not experience.
Some people will develop dementia with Parkinson’s disease and others do not. My mom did develop dementia.
Look online at www.parkinsons.org for information.
adaparkinsons.org
michaeljfox.org
davisphinneyfoundation.org
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. There are meds that can help. Physical and occupational therapy can help with strength and balance.
Find a really good neurologist to get an accurate assessment and treatment.
One of the very first signs that my mom showed was trouble with walking. She took very small, slow steps. She started hunching over as well.
Stiffness and balance issues.
Tremors were an issue for my mom,
Digestive issues.
Low blood pressure.
Not sleeping well.
Trouble with eyesight.
Many other symptoms as time goes by.
As the disease progresses symptoms become worse.
My mother lived to be 95. Her brother with Parkinson’s disease lived to be 96.
Best wishes to you.
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