Well hello there everyone!
I joined this forum some time ago, and have read the majority of the threads and posts over the course of my infrequent visits. However, due to my tremor, I haven't been able to type well enough to contribute...until now!
What a lovely and interesting bunch you all are, and I have found your experiences both helpful and comforting when I have been here looking for 'someone in my shoes' type information.
That's enough about you, hee hee! About me...I'm 47, so I like to think I'm a YPWP. I've had symptoms since the year 2000, and despite a strong family history of PD, I was originally diagnosed with Benign Essential Tremor, in 2005. In 2013, following a DAT scan, I was given the PD diagnosis (which I had guessed years before). My PD is familial, and tremor-dominant.
I'm a mum of 3, single, had to retire from work last year, and although I've been medicated with Ropinirole and the later addition of Madopar, symptom control has been slow and difficult.
In my local area, I had fantastic support initially from the PD nurse, a lady from PD UK, a physio, an OT, and a Social Worker. Yes, I have been so fortunate, and no doubt a beneficiary of the 'postcode lottery'!
Currently, I only have Neuro appointments, and am just 'getting on with it'. I have found it hard to adjust from being in a fairly stressful full-time NHS post, to being something of a hermit. I barely left the house in about 18 months, mainly due to very poor mobility (shuffling, slowness, poor balance, stiffness, tremor, muscular pain) but have recently been feeling improved enough to venture out.
I still feel pretty brain-dead most days due to lack of stimulation, and dare I say it, lack of stress! Other than my adult children, I don't have contact with family members. I do have some wonderful friends, who have seen me through some very dark days.
Fortunately for my friends, they don't have PD! So I'm hopeful of making some new compadres here!. I appreciate the huge understanding and wealth of PD experience that the posters have, whether they themselves have PD, or are caring for someone who does.
Jings, I've been rambling on a bit, haha! Am quite enjoying being able to type again though (maybe best not speak too soon though )
I hope if you're reading this, that you are having a good day, and if not, on those days, I always remind myself 'This too, will pass'.
Hoping to be able to make some useful or interesting contributions to your topics here :D
Lang may 'yer lum reek
Hyper
x