I am shocked and stunned by the diagnosis. I can’t seem to accept it. Several panic attacks a day.
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Good afternoon FPearson … A normal reaction that more or less everyone with Parkinson’s experiences. I was diagnosed in June two years ago. My reaction was the same as yours. But here I am two years later & I feel a lot more relaxed about my diagnosis. There are far worse things we could have. There is obviously something wrong with us, reassuring to know what it is.
If you have any questions do ask. One thing you might not have thought of is that you have to inform the DVLA if you drive.
Best wishes
Steve
Hi @FPearson thank you for sharing with the group, we are sorry to hear about your diagnosis and how you are feeling right now. It’s natural to be going through these emotions so please don’t be hard on yourself as you process the information.
We want you to know that you are not alone and there is support available to help you. We have lots of information on our website that can provide insight and guidance around symptoms as well as management of these. You can read more about this on our website here: Health professionals and Parkinson's | Parkinson's UK
We also have a helpline where we can put you in touch with one of our Parkinson’s nurses who can offer their advice and guidance as you navigate through this process. It’s free to call and totally confidential: 0808 800 0303.
We hope this information is helpful, please do reach out if you ever need us.
All the best,
Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team
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Hiya @FPearson
I can relate, and happy to chat if it might help.
I know i t doesn’t feel like it right now, but the diagnosis is just a label… You are still exactly the same person you were the day before you received it.
How long has it been since you received the news?
Simon
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Two weeks.
Thank you
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Hello FPearson,
A possible coping strategy is to consider that PD isn’t a sudden condition like catching a cold, it’s likely to have been developing over several years.
Most of us, once we know the symptons, can work approximately when it first appeared. In my case I lost my sense of smell about 10 years ago but I’d no idea at that time that this was a pointer. I recollect that, about a year before my official diagnosis, thinking ‘well at least I haven’t got Parkinson’s’ though what brought that thought on, I can’t now remember…
As Simon rightly said you are the same person after the diagnosis as you were before and your body will function in the same way (though bear in mind that stress is not helpful so do try to relax in any way you can)
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Thank you.
Hi FPearson,
You are not alone feeling like you do, when I was told 12 years ago that I had Parkinson’s I thought that it meant I was going to die soon, and what would happen to my husband and children? Until you accept that you have Parkinson’s you will still feel like you do, it took me 10 years to finally admit that I have got it, and from then I started looking round at what could be done to help me, I had freezing episodes which would make me fall over all the time and really hurt myself, so much i couldn’t go out by myself. I joined our local Parkinson’s coffee morning group, who are a lifeline to you and your carer as they know what you are going through. I was lucky that on my first day The Falls Clinic were doing a presentation and I was lucky enough to speak to them, and they came round to the house and looked at what equipment would help me and they signed me up for their exercise classes based initially on a chair then up and walking unaided. This sorted out my balance issues and then i joined another group which was the next step up building up your body muscles. After 2 years with them I can now say I am fitter than I ever was, I can now go out without help and the Freezing episodes are gone. At the moment I feel lucky that I feel so good, but I know at some point I might need more care, but I am making sure that I am doing everything in my power to slow this disease down. Exercise, Excercise, Exercise.
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Thank you. I am very facing up to it but that fills me with despair dread.
Going out and exercising, but feeling awful.
Hi, Don’t do it by yourself, get your GP to sign you up to the falls clinic, there you will meet others like yourself. You will find that maybe you are not as bad as you thought, you will meet new friends and definitely find your local Parkinson’s coffee morning group, they will not only help you but any carer you may have.xx
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Very helpful. Thank you.