Hi my husband has just been diagnosed with PD at the age of 44. I have 3 kids under 11 and l feel overwhelmed. He is on meds every 4 hrs and off sick at moment from work. We haven’t told the kids yet. Any parent newly diagnosed on this forum?
Hi @Rubirt, 
Welcome to the forum.
I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s recent diagnosis. We are a supportive bunch here on the forum so I’m sure you’ll hear from our members with their advice and support soon. Finding out you or someone you love has Parkinson’s affects everyone differently. So it is completely understandable and normal if your feeling overwhelmed. Fortunately, we have the information and support to help you including our ‘newly diagnosed’ section on our website which you can find here: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/newly-diagnosed-parkinsons.
We also understand how difficult it can be to talk to children about Parkinson’s and how it may affect your family life. Again, we have a lot of information on this via our website here: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/talking-children-and-teenagers.
Lastly, our helpline and Parkinson’s local advisers are here to answer any questions you have about your husband’s recent diagnosis and life with Parkinson’s. Call us on 0808 800 0303.
Best wishes,
Reah
Forum Community Manager
Hi,
My husband was diagnosed 8 months ago, aged 42. Like you we have 3 children. Once we had got our head around it we told the older 2 (age 15 and 12). We were honest but also repeated what our specialist told us…it could be worse. We didn’t mention it to our 6 year old but one day she overheard me telling my husband about a celebrity who had PD. She asked what it was and I very matter of factly said it was what Dad has and it means he may shake from time to time…kept it as simple as that. She will grow up with it so hope it’ll be her norm. All the children appear to deal with it fine…it helps that so far my husband is doing really well and responding well to the medication.
Hope you’re ok…it scary isn’t it. But we are 8 months down the road, he feels better now than he has in a long time so at the moment life is good.
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Hello. My boyfriend is the one with PD and was diagnosed at 43. At the time he had 3 children 8, 10 and 13. He didn’t tell anyone for a while, kept working until 56. The children gradually came to realise that he was taking medication and a bit different. Obviously he’s deteriorated over time, but had been very fit which seemed to keep him going for a long time. I think there is a little booklet for children , although about a grandad with PD. Good luck with it all. Parkinson’s UK is a great organisation and Parkinson’s nurses are wonderful.