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Parkinson's Disease
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Posted 8/24/2009 6:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hope you can help!

I believe my 46 year old husband has PD, but he refuses to go to a doctor. At first I attributed his symptoms to stress but he is falling apart before my eyes. He has a right hand tremor, has no arm swing when he walks, is stooped over, walks rigidly and slowly, speaks so softly I can barely hear him (I thought I was losing my hearing), has memory problems (ie has trouble remembering 2 items at the grocery store without a list), takes almost 2 hours in the morning to dress and eat breakfast, is depressed, volatile, refuses to be involved with our children, won't talk to me, has severe leg cramps, has lost a huge amount of weight in the last few months, and has little facial expression. He is in crisis!

I`ve researched and shown him what I`ve found but he refuses to consider PD or anything else. What do I do? His decline is so rapid I'm beside myself.
Posted 8/26/2009 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
I too was in denial. I had symptoms for well over 3 years. The only advice I have for you is to be the wife that supports her husband in every way she can. My own wife did this for me. She could see things in my behavior I refused to see. When I did finally had the ever loving hell scared out of me while working I gave up my bull headed ways and went to see a Dr. You see I lost control of my left hand, I was unable to turn a screwdriver with my left hand. I am a maintenance worker and not being able to turn a screwdriver is a bad thing. Sure there was the comments at work from my fellow workers like "how did it feel when you had your stroke". I had to ask what he was talking about, he then told me it was about the way I walked and the way i held my arm without swinging it.
I had to end up going to 3 Dr.s The first acted as if i was wasting his time and told me I was suffering from weakness. The second told me after extensive testing "You have arthirist in the back, take a couple of acetaminophen and call me if it gets worse". Yet my wife would not accept that either. She was still by my side all the way. Two weeks later I went to my now Dr. who took one look at me and told me I have PD. What I am saying be there for your husband it might not seem like it now he needs you now more then ever and I am sure he too is scared. Just be there for him. Be the friend he needs today and tomorrow. The friend that is there to listen.
Posted 8/26/2009 6:21 AM (GMT 0)
Chelsie,

How wonderful that you are so supportive of your husband! One day I hope he will realize how lucky he is!

I would STRONGLY encourage him to see a: 1) neurologist and 2) movement disorder specialist (MDS) - a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.

 

There are medications which may help your husband control some of his symptoms.  Would he prefer to continue to let his symptoms control his life ... or is he ready to take control!

 

Rhetorical questions for your hubby:

Does he think it's 'normal' to exhibit the sympsoms he is having? Are his symptoms impacting anyoneelse? Does he attempt to 'hide' his symptoms?

 

talk soon

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