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Posted 3/6/2007 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
 

HI, I am 52 years old, and I was told last week by a Nuro that I have PD. about a year and a half ago I had a problem with my left elbow.  I had a lot of pain and a knot there, I thought I hurt my arm.... I was told by my GP that I had advance tendentios.  Then about 6 months later started having tremors in the same arm, and my arm didn't swing very well.  They took an xrays and nothing showed up! Then they sent me to a Orthopedic dr, who said I have MS!!! Then they sent me to a Nuro.  He told me I had PD, said it was a mild case, told me to go out and enjoy life, (yeah!! easy for him to say) he, gave me some info and told me to call him if it gets worse!!!! Whatever!!! Of course both my husband and I just stood there in total shock, to say the least. I am at least going for a second opinion...not that it will matter, at least I'm hoping to find someone I can work with!

 

I thought I also had MS instead of PD because of my symptoms, things I never told the Nuro Dr:  Lost vision about a year and a half ago, didn't last long, blurred vision 4 times about a month ago. Both hands went numb with tingling for a week, that was in Dec. Face rash, still there, muscle spasmes/cramps in legs. So, now just trying to come to terms that these are symptoms of PD.  They did send me for an MRI last Friday, I still don't know the results yet! I'm asuming nothing..... 

 

I'm just not doing really well, I try and put on a happy face but to be truthful there are times I just didn't want to live!!! And to be honest, I'm still feeling that way on and off.  I guess it will take sometime to accept what I have....crying again...sorry I do have a supportive and loving husband!!!

 

I am excising daily and taking my vitamins, I also ordered CQ10.....of course reading so much is just doom and gloom...Please forgive me I'm still pretty upset with all of this....Would love to hear from someone..

 

God Bless

 

Post Edited (Strengthenme) : 3/6/2007 4:24:45 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/7/2007 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Strengthenme,I've been where you now are.After an mri and numerous other tests the dx was PD.Things will get better for you as time goes on,and you accept .We are pretty resilient us humans and we learn pretty well to adapt,accept and overcome.Keep exercising your body as well as building up a positive attitude.I wish you the best.stay in touch with us,and glad you found us.GodBless........ED
Posted 3/7/2007 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Strengthenme

You sound really upset and at the end of your tether and I don't blame you. You have a lot of stress at this time.   Lifes like that sometimes and I cannot count the number of times that I wished I were out of it all.  But then comes a magic moment or a magic hour or sometimes even a magic day when you forget all your illnesses and worries and live again with joy in your heart.  That happened to me this evening.  My daughter came to our house with our little grandson who is 5.   To me he is the most precious thing in the world and my time with him is full of love and enjoyment. I never ever think of my poor health when he is with me.  At these times I realise that if I were out of it I would not have the absolute pleasure of seeing this little boy. There are many things that can make you feel better, for a start, you have a loving husband.  Thank the Lord for that and whilst you are at it thank your husband as well because he is not having too good a time knowing how bad you are feeling. When you have an illness your mind plays tricks and small things like a pain in the arm usually turn out to be nothing more that a strain because you picked something up awkwardly.  

Don't let your mind play tricks on you by dwelling on symptons even if they are there and you can feel them: if you worry they will only feel worse.  Its easy for me to say I know but when I look back at some of the things that have worried me in the past I realise that they have disappeared and something else has taken their place. Take care, look for the bright things that are there in your life and make the most of them.  Say a little prayer sometimes - it always helps me when I am feeling particularly low.

God Bless

BILLY

Posted 3/7/2007 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
I am doing better, thanks for replying......

 

My Dr. ordered an MRI as he needed to rule out other things first, I had my MRI done, last Friday:    Here are the Findings: A few very small areas of increased FLAIR and T2 signal  are noted in the periventricular and subcortical white matter of each cererbral hemisphere. 

 

IMPRESSION: Minimal punctate areas of increased FLAIR and T2 signal are noted in the subcortical and periventricular white matter that could potentially indicate:  "Microvascular Ischemic Disease"   Looks like I had a stoke.....I'll be talking to my Dr on Monday!!!

 

My sister had a stoke when she was 45 and Bell's Palsy's at 43 and my Grandmother had both and died from a stoke!!!!

Posted 3/8/2007 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Strengthenme,

You are in our thoughts and prayers let us know how your Dr.appt goes on mon.Ed
Posted 3/8/2007 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry you are going through this. Does your last post mean you've had a stroke and don't have parkinsons?!

Even if you have PD be assured that all the panic and fears and tears DO settle to allow one to continue in life! I've been there and it was very frightening indeed. Occassionally I still feel fear but now I'm getting on with life.

The diagnosis is the pits but at the end of the day life is great and we should savour each day.

I will be thinking of you.

Girlirish
Posted 3/25/2007 7:44 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hi,

I just want to say how sorry I am for all you're going through. I was told a couple of years ago I has essential tremor but over the last month or two my tremor has gotten much worse, I loose my balance and I've taken a couple of falls. I'm unsteady on my feet and feel like I'm going to fall constantly. I haven't been dianosed with PD but it wouldn't surprise me. I have a multitude of other health problems so it's a day to day coping with whatever hurts worse today.. I'm trying my best to keep a good attitude but I understand it's hard to do sometimes. Just hang in there and things will work out.. Keep your faith.

My best to you,

Flea

Posted 3/25/2007 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there..there is meaning in your suffering...Isaiah 41:10
Posted 3/26/2007 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
I want to take a momen to tell everyone thank you for your comments. I doing better and I'm learning to deal with what I have!!! God Bless each and everyone of you!!!
Posted 3/28/2007 11:04 PM (GMT 0)

hi there, what can i say that won't sound condescending or banal. I have been so lucky in my dealing with the medical profession here in the UK that I cannot try and feel how you do but I was there a year ago having self diagnosed and had a local practitioner who took my word and immediately referred me to a teaching hospital and a great consultant.

I live in England so I can only speak from within the health system here. [I am assuming this is a US based site] and it appears to me that so much can depend on how supprotive your doctors are and also your family. I have always consdered myself to be a realist and try not to allow emotions get in the way of decisions taken but I deeply accept that we afre all different and react to the same thing differently. My reaction to diagnosis confirmation was 'ok what do we do next?' It'show I cope. I still work full time but hope to retire in 2 years time to enjoy what active life I can squeeze out of my body. I am happy to swap maiil with you if you think you can cope with  an alleged emotional retard - in the way I deal with pd.

we are all in the same boat - let's share oars!

The Bear

Posted 3/28/2007 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
tongue  Bear,Welcome to Healing Well We are U.S.based,but do have quite a few members from the U.K.Glad you found us.Stay well.Ed

Ps my son is in Knaresborough Yorkshire sp?????

Posted 3/29/2007 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bear - ED,
I love your attitude, I try to put on a happy face and not let my problems get to me and waiting for an appt with a neuologist seems like it's taking forever, I'm praying I don't have PD but it's one of those things that if I do I'll have to learn to cope and make the best out of what ever happens.
I also have diabetes and osterporsis, I've had a couple of compression
fractures of the spine which were/are pretty painful to live with but it's some better now and I just have to keep going, I have to give myself injections everyday for that.
Ed,
Fishing is good for the soul, a lot of good things can happen while you're waiting for that bite. Where do you fish and what do you fish for? I use to go fishing some years ago, I caught a 31" stripped Bass and I loved every minute of it. What fun!!!
Well, I'm new here and I'm going to need some support from all of you. Strengthenme stay as strong as you can, I know it's hard to do but when you wake up tomorrow morning say "Thank you for the sun, for the birds singing" then tackle your problems, it's helped me.
Let us know what's going on.

God bless,
Flea
Posted 3/29/2007 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
:-)  Flea,Welcome to healingWell.I hope everything works out for you with the neurologist.Seems like we all gotta have a few diseases.I also have type 2 Diabetes and I'm on three meds for it.1.Metaformin 2.avandia 3.starlix.This combo seems to control it.Also like you i fish for stripers,and on rare occassion catch a good one.I live 1.5 miles from the ocean,and fishing is my way of life.You stay well,and glad you found us.Ed
Posted 3/29/2007 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
This is my first time in this forum, I have PD for more than 16 years but still working full time. What keep me going? I remain active, physically and mentally. I learn to accept the disease and learn to live with it. I was only 37 when I got the disease and now I'm already 53, and still fighting.
Posted 3/29/2007 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
Minmark,
You goooo!!!! That's great. I'm waiting to get to see a neurologist, I was given a diagnosis of ET five or so years ago. My tremor has gotten much worse and I have a few more symptoms. I'm a newcomer here and I think it's a good place to be when you have a problem. My grown kids will listen but they don't understand and don't want it to be happening to their Mom so I try to not talk about my health problems with them, that's why I'm here :) You will inspire a lot of people in here, welcome.
God Bless,
Flea
Posted 3/29/2007 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone......

I'm doing better, I'm fighting the fight!!!!  I'm working out everyday, I'm taking my vitamins, plus creatine and coq10 it seems to be helping.....I have a husband who is supportive and extremly positive, what more could I ask for.... Our "first" Grandson was born yesterday,   :-)   tongue and I plan on watching him grow up.  He brings an extra joy into our lives.  I'm so thankful for the many blessing in my life!!!

Flea, glad you are posting as well, it wonderful to have someone else to chat with.  When do you go to the Neurologist?  We will keep you in our prayers.....I understand what you mean about not sharing to much with your children, I try not to share to much with my as well.  Like you our's our grown.  Hope to chat with you more.... yeah

Posted 3/29/2007 6:45 PM (GMT 0)

Strenghtenme,

Congratulations on having a new grandson and I hope that he brings as much joy to you as our little one has.  Whenever I feel down I think of him and it all seems so much better.

Let us take a leaf out of Minmarks book.  16 years of PD and still smiling so it seems. He says he accepts it and goes on from there.  Thats good advice.

Billy

Posted 3/29/2007 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Minmark,What a great attitude.Welcome to Healing Well,and keep on keeping on.Ed
Posted 3/29/2007 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am new to this form of communication, but decided I need someone to share my experiences(ongoing)with PD. I was diagnosed 3 years ago but only recently begun to share with family and friends. I am able to stay very active, if I take my meds often enough not to have any down time. I play golf 2 days a week, take care of the house and travel with my husband.  I still feel very alone with my disease, and sometimes feel consumed by it.  It overwhelms me to think of for the rest of my life living like this, having to take pills every 2-3 hours.
Posted 3/29/2007 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Stillgolfing,

Welcome.....Thanks for sharing, I understand how you feel, I can also be consumed by it times... I try not to think about it sometimes however, the tremor in my hand always reminds me, that there is something going on with my body. Ya know what's really funny, tongue I only notice it when I'm at work, when I'm home I hardly ever notice it other than when I'm eating, that's when I want to slap my hand...hee hee  eyes

We also travel and plan on taking another cruise this fall...can't wait!!! It's awesome that you are out traveling and golfing!!!

My husband is also very supportive but unless you are dealing with it, no one really understands how we feel. Only a few members in my family know, haven't shared with any friends at the moment, when the time is right I will though....I have to admit I was really down when I first found out...then I really had to put things in perspective, it could be worse....So, I have decided to remain positive, there is way to much in my life that I want to experience, the most important thing is seeing my family grow, I have a new Grandson as of yesterday...yeah!!! I plan on being around when they find a cure!!! And I know they will, until then, just living each day to the fullest and Thanking the my Dear Lord for each day.

I'm currently not on any meds, how long have you been on meds? If you don't mind me asking how old are you?? What symptoms do you have and what started first? I was told I have a mild case, I am however going for a second opinion in June, just want to make sure everything is ruled out....... Hang in there we can get through this together!!! :-)
God Bless you and again Welcome....it's always wonderful to chat with new people!!!! :))) yeah

Post Edited (Strengthenme) : 3/29/2007 4:34:28 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/30/2007 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Strenghtenme,
Thanks for the kind words and the prayers. I'm waiting to hear from my MD to find out when I'll go to the neurologist.
A grandson?? Great!!! One of God's greatest gifts. I have three daughters, seven Grandkids, four girls and three boys, after raising girls I'm loving these boys, of course I love them all dearly, my youngest G-son is seven and just a hunk of sunshine, the older boys both were just sixteen last November and there's nothing that helps you like a hug and kiss from a little one.
I've got to take care of myself because I want to see 'my' little people grow up.
With all of my other health problems I feel like I'm on thin ice with the possibility of PD but I'll try to just do what I can do as far as taking care of 'me' and hope my Dr's are the best. :)
Ed,
Thanks for the welcome, I'm on avandia also for my diabetes and so far it's working fine. I guess I was lucky, my eye Dr found out I had glaucoma and then of course my MD checked me for diabetes, but all things considered I'm doing good. Take care all.
God Bless,
Flea
Posted 3/30/2007 9:16 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Strengthenme - finestkind, a grandchild, way to go.

Stay positive and you'll be there for ever. We all have our crap days and not so bad days and we all find ways of somehow coping - there is no right way or wrong way just a way, wwhatver it is. To all you people out there, look up rotigotine patches. Probably not asnceeffective as heavy duty stuff but you only wear one for 24 hours and there's no missing and no down time in the accepted sense. You just don't hjave to mind looking like a chequers board. Gotta go to work, talk again tonight. Thanks for the positive response to my first posting, this is a great site.

the bear 

Posted 3/30/2007 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bear,

It is always great chatting with new people. I will look up the rotigotine patches, as of right now, I'm not on any medication. Yes, my husband and I really excited about our Grandson....he's just a sweet baby! This is our first Grandchild, so you can only image how excited we are. Thanks, I plan on staying positive, there's to much life to enjoy!!! Take care and look forward to chatting more.

Cheers
Posted 3/30/2007 9:55 PM (GMT 0)

Strengthenme time to strengthen me too.VIEW IMAGE I am not a group type person and try to live my life as normally as I can while I can. However. Over here I am a member of the PArkinson Society [who alerted me about the patches before they were licensed] and within that there is a group called Yappers - younger active people with parkinsons. They are having their 2nd annual general meeting  tomorrow and I am attending. I attended the inaugural meeting last year and whilst I found it very informative, I had only just been formally diagnosed and was disturbed by the condition some people were in - almost like looking into the future no matter how much we kknow about the uniqueness of our condition etc. I cannot, however, 'hide' myself away for ever. Do you have regular face to face contact with other peedee-ers? Any other readers have a view on this. Because of the nature of my work I tell most people I meet that I have peedee if only to stop them staring at my hand. I'm probably only conning myslef in a way. I do however, find this site uplifting, maybe because there is an element of choice and therefore control - I could read ebfore choosing to get involved. I am humbled by the resolve of people who appear much worse off in a way than I. I think I am coping well and then,,,,,,,,, I wake up.

My fears are all about the time I will eventaully need more powerful and frequent meds but I read about so many bad trips. It's fortunate I have a great practitioner and neurologist who I see regularly - so many people here in the UK have such raw deals- is it the same stateswide? Hell too much info...hogging the site.sorry.

Cherish the little one. One more apple in the orchard.

Save the icecap!

The Bear

 

Posted 3/30/2007 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bear...... tongue
I haven't been to any support groups. You also have to realize that everyone progresses differently, that's what I focus on!!! I don't believe the patch has passed FDA in the US yet, I hear sometime by the end of this year though! If you don't mind me asking how old are you and when where you diagnosed with PD?

The meds don't stop your tremors? I haven't really told many people as of this time. I'm still going for a second opinion though, not for sure if that will change anything or not. I just focus on my family, taking my "many" vitamins and working out on a daily bases, it has helped me a lot.

Ya know, there is also DBS that I hear works pretty good, I've done some research on it, something maybe you should research yourself. I also think they will have a cure within 10 years, my opinion....so hand in there, "Keep the Faith"   yeah   like I"ve said before, It could be worse...right! :-)
Take care and keep writing
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