? for those who have been diagnosed with PD for 5, 10 or more years

I am trying to get some information from those of you who have been living with PD for 5, 10 or more years.  In specific if you could answer the following for each of the progression levels that you have experienced.

1)  How would you rate your level of disability now compared to when first diagnosed.  If possible give percentage.  (example:  15% more disabled at 5 years than at diagnosis, 35% more at 10 years, etc.)

2)  Do you believe that, in your particular case, your level of disability have increased as expected, faster than expected, or slower than expected.

3)  If you answer #2 above, slower than expected, what do you believe has kept the progression to a minimum.  (example: yoga, eating right, reducing stress, etc.)

I would GREATLY appreciate all feedback.  The information is strictly for my interest, not a paper, report or any other type of study.  I am hopeful that the feedback you provide will be able to assist me in making some very important decisions in my life.

Thank you!

photonut

"D" -

Thanks for the reply!!  I am glad to hear that you are doing so well.  That is encouraging to me!

photonut

I have been diagnosed since 2000 but have had the symptoms of PD for maybe a couple of years before then.

1) my level of disability is about 25% although it creeps up on you and its not until you sit back and realise how much more difficult to do things that you realise how much worse you are.  A major consideration, in my case, is age. I am 73 and would therefore expect to be slower in action and reaction.  I also have arthritis and chronic kidney failure, both debilitating and responsible for some of my symptoms.

2) Looking at friends in the support group to which I belong I feel that over a few years period I have progressed into the disease at about the same rate as most of them.  There are exceptions and it is noticeable that those who suffer from dysknesias seem to get worse more quickly.

3) One of the things that I find beneficial is Tai Chi.  I attend a class of the Taoist form of this stretching excercise once a week.  I noticed that when I had to give it up (I was hospitalised with kidney cancer) I became quite stiff again.   I feel that excercise, and this includes wheelchair based excercise, is most beneficial.

I also pray.

Hope this helps God Bless

All the best BILLY