Hi there, Im a 42 yr old single mom living in Jhb South Africa, with 2 teenage daughters. Was diagnosed with yopd in Feb this year after 12 months of confusion and frustration.
Thank God my symptoms are not that bad-I struggle with stiffness and muscular pain in my legs, upper arms, jaw and across my chest (this is the worst as I sometimes struggle to catch my breath). I have tremors in my hands and legs (left side the worst) but overall I look pretty healthy, except when I get fatigue attacks, so most of the time people don't know I have pd. I struggle to stand for extended periods of time and shopping queues are the worst!
I have finally found a wonderful neuro who is kind and approachable. He has put me on Parkilyne in the mornings and Requip xl 4mg 3xday.If I have a bad night I take another 2 mg Requip xl in the middle of the night.
The year before my diagnosis was absolute hell because I knew there was something wrong with me but no-one had answers.
Shortly after being diagnosed by a specialist physician (neurologist then confirmed diagnosis) I lost my job and was unemployed for 6 wks. I finally got another job but they don't know I have pd. Am really struggling to cope as job is very pressurised and I can feel myself deteriorating. My boss has already commented that I don't work fast enough-I can't tell her why. I also cant lose my job as I have had to sell the house where we lived for the past 14 years and move to something smaller so that I can manage better.I just had my new bond approved by the bank so If I lose my job I stand to lose everything else as well.
The good news is that prayer and God are my saving grace. Without God carrying me I would never have got this far on my own.
I have started writing a book about my experiences over the last year and am already on chapter 5 (yay!)
I don't know what lies on my path ahead but it's a relief to finally have a path.
I am learning to just take one day at a time and leave my future in God's hands.