About Introductions and personal stories

Hope that is clear.

Steve2

Thanks for that Steve

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My pleasure Jim . Do tell us about your parkinsons if you would like to.

Best wishes
Steve2

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Hello
My name is Leigh and I dont have Parkinsons but I am here to gather information and advice on behalf of my best friend who is 73 years old and was diagnosed with PD 18 months ago, I hope this is ok

Hi Leigh,
You can search topics on the forum and I find parkibot an AI resource very useful.

Hello, I’m new to this but I’d love some advice from others in a similar position ? My husband was diagnosed 5 years ago and his symptoms were initially mild. The memory problems were always worse than the physical ones. But over the past 12 months both have deteriorated, now we have the diagnosis of Parkinson’s dementia and I often struggle. I’m 82 and have several health problems, we have a cleaner and cope practically. Some days are ok, others reduce me to tears as I don’t know how to cope with the severe memory loss, frustrations, confusion and frequent personality change and am worried about the future. I would dearly love a day off from reminding, watching, etc but have no close friends locally. I could definitely not leave him overnight but I’m exhausted. I’d also love to be able to call someone after a particularly bad day. I’d welcome hints from anyone in the similar situation please ?

Hello Margaret, thank you for your post and we’re so sorry to hear that you’re feeling exhausted and worried. We’re here for you and so are others in this community.

It’s really important that you look after yourself as a carer for someone with Parkinson’s. There are a number of support services available to you such as carer’s assessments, local groups and respite care. You can read more about each of these on our website here: Getting support as a carer | Parkinson's UK

Our free, confidential helpline is also available to anyone affected by Parkinson’s. Our trained advisers can offer guidance and support or you can ask to speak to a Parkinson’s nurse: 0808 800 0303.

Please know that you’re not alone. We’re here for you whenever you need us.

Sending all our love,
The Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team

AI Overview

For a Parkinson’s patient, it’s crucial to involve a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. This includes a neurologist specializing in movement disorders, a Parkinson’s nurse specialist, and potentially a geriatrician, as well as therapists like physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists. Additionally, mental health professionals and dietitians can play a role in managing the broader aspects of the condition. Contacting the individual’s GP or a Parkinson’s UK helpline can provide further guidance and support.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

  1. Primary Care & Specialist Physicians:

Your GP can be the first point of contact for general health concerns and can refer you to specialists.

  • Neurologist:

A neurologist specializing in movement disorders is essential for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of Parkinson’s disease.

  • Geriatrician:

If the patient is elderly, a geriatrician, who specializes in the health of older adults, may also be involved.

  1. Allied Health Professionals:
  • Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist:

These nurses have specialized knowledge in Parkinson’s and can provide education, support, and coordinate care.

  • Physiotherapist:

A physio can help with mobility, balance, and exercise programs to manage physical symptoms.

  • Occupational Therapist:

Occupational therapists focus on improving daily living skills and adapting the environment to make tasks easier.

  • Speech and Language Therapist:

Speech and language therapists can help with communication and swallowing difficulties.

  1. Other Support Services:

If the patient experiences depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges, a psychologist or psychiatrist can provide support.

  • Dietitian:

Dietitians can help with nutritional needs and address any dietary concerns.

Parkinson’s UK offers a helpline and online resources for support, advice, and information.

  • Local Authority Social Services:

Social services can assess needs and provide support with things like home care, adaptations, or respite care.

  1. Paying for Care:

Parkinson’s UK has partnered with Beacon to provide advice on NHS Continuing Healthcare, which can help with the costs of care.

Local authorities may offer financial support for care, depending on your circumstances and eligibility.

  • Financial Advice:

Organizations like Turn2us can help identify potential grants and financial assistance.

  1. Respite Care:

Best of luck.
Steve2

Hi, I live near to your area
Just wondering how you’re doing nowadays
Group are in our area

Dealing with nail damage during chemo can be really challenging. It’s a side effect that many people don’t expect, but it’s important to know you’re not alone in it.

The advice in this thread about keeping your nails short and moisturized is great. I also recommend speaking with your oncology team about it. They might have specific creams or treatments that can help. This community is a fantastic place to find support, so please keep reaching out as you navigate this journey.

Hi Amelia37 iv just read your post & I definitely looked at it differently. My husband had Pd & LBD I have used this forum for reassurance & information to see if my experience is the same as others. Reading yours is eye opening as you know first hand what PD does to you mentally & physically. You’ve had to learn how to be Amelia37 with PD. Working & getting on with life in a new way. Yes there’s negatives & sharing views can be positive with helpful feed back but it can also be hard to read. All we can do is live day by day learning as we go. Try & stay positive & live the best life possible. Good luck x

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Hello. I’m Michael. New to the forums but not to PD. I was diagnosed by my GP in October 2022, formally confirmed by a consultant neurologist in March 2023. I was 58 then and I’m 61 now.

I lived in Hampshire when I was diagnosed but I live in Lincolnshire now. I worked in IT when I was diagnosed & I still do now. Thank goodness for working from home, eh.

My medication started at rasagiline, but while I take that now, I also take ropinirole, sinemet & opicapone. I fair rattle, so I do :grinning_face:

They let me keep my driving licence, and I’m hoping that renewal will go through later this year. I’ve not had any freezes, so here’s hoping :+1:

My worse symptom is mental fog when I’m stressed out, usually by work, at its worst just before my noon meds. Next is the epic horror of Parky constipation :scream:

Still, it’s all just stuff sent to try us, eh? Onwards and, er, onwards :+1: :+1: :grinning_face:

Hi @mylovelyhorse, thank you for your post and welcome to the Forum. We really hope you find the community here useful and friendly and enjoy your time here.

Thank you for sharing your story. We really appreciate it and we’re sure it will help others who have experienced or are experiencing something similar. If you need it at all, we have a free helpline on 0808 800 0303 where our specialists can answer any question you have or signpost you to the best support available to you.

We hope this is useful. Please take care.

Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team :blue_heart: