I was diagnosed with PD when I was the same age as you are now. A month before my 62nd birthday. That was eight years ago. I still work full time as a senior accountant/auditor. I go to the gym 3/4 times a week, I travel a lot too. I try to keep positive and I try not to think too much about what the future may hold. I love cooking and I cook every day. My worst problem is sleeping. I wake up every couple of hours but I’m not worried too much about that.
Please keep positive. Live every day to the full.
Good luck.
It really is hard coming to terms that life may get quite difficult in later days but short term I personally have joined an exercise group to help with mobility and went to a group to meet other people with PD.
Hello Alison6
I have rather belaredly caught up with your post and see you have already had a number of positive replies so I hope you are feeling a little reassured and the shock of your diagnosis has lessened a little. However I thought I would throw in my tuppence worth as the first few months can be a bit of a roller coaster ride and one minute you can feel ok and it’s not so bad and the next you hit the floor.
I was diagnosed at 52 and come Christmas that will be 16 years. A few years later I was diagnosed with Normal pressure hydrocephalus and had a shunt fitted. I am not unusual as a number of people here on the forum have a dual diagnosis and I am not the only one still standing, getting on with life with minimal help.
A diagnosis of Parkinson’s is not the end of the world. In most it moves slowly and gives you time to adjust. What it does do is set off a major learning curve while you find yout feet and medication (if that’s right for you) gets sorted and you generally take it all a bit more on board. The learning curve never really stops. Parkinson’s is a complex condition that is often described as individual as no two people seem to be affected in the same way. However as you go along you will begin to understand how you react to things and how your body reacts and you will grow in confidence in management of your symptoms.
Obviously things are not exactly the same. I opted to take an unexpected opportunity of voluntary redundancy three years after diagnosis as I had a very pressured working life and that didn’t help my symptoms and I have never regretted that, I am now officially retired. I live on my own with just two hours ‘help’ a week which i arranged and pay for myself primarily because I gave up driving when I left work - I never enjoyed it - and I have a means of getting easily to appts etc. I go out and about and travel on my own, I have a well established exercise regime (next to medication is the best thing you can do to help yourself) and as many regulars on the forum will tell you, I don’t define myself by my Parkinson’s, I am always Tot first and I happen to have Parkinson’s. That’s my way of living with Parkinson’s and it may not feel like it right now but you will find your own way too.
I wish you well. Let us know how things are going for you
Tot
We’re sorry to hear that you’re still really struggling. That must be feel difficult. We’re here for you. Our helpline is just a phone call away. Our trained advisers can give advice regarding accessing support, and you can ask to speak to one of our Parkinson’s nurses. It’s free to call: 0808 800 0303.
You don’t have to do this alone, we’re here for you whenever you need us.
Hi Alison
I have been diagnosed since2023 but think I probably had it for a few years before as I kept going to the doctor with aching muscles and slight balance issues. And to be quite honest apart from a bit of a shaking of the right hand at times its been fine and unless I tell people they are unaware of the condition and its not stopped me from doing anything so far. So as other’s have said I think it affects everyone differently and
yours could be same as mine.I go for a short walk twice a day and that certainly keeps my muscles free and take my medication so although its daunting its certainly manageable and I don’t feel like I am l going to fall off my perch anytime yet!
Hello @Beverley_Dunbar, thank you for joining our forum. We hope you find it a helpful space to come together with people who understand what you’re going through. It’s a space where you can get tips and support from the community and read through our forums and topics to help.
We understand that getting a diagnosis of Parkinson’s can evoke a range of emotions, including being terrified, shocked, angry or anxious. No matter how you’re feeling, we are here for you. We have a range of newly diagnosed resources on our website to support you and your family, friends and others close to you: Newly diagnosed with Parkinson's | Parkinson's UK
You can also call our helpline, which is a free and confidential service, providing support to anyone affected by Parkinson’s. Trained advisers, including specialist Parkinson’s nurses, can provide information and advice about all aspects of living with Parkinson’s and how to navigate your new diagnosis: 08088000303. You can also email us at: [email protected].
You’ve done the best thing by reaching out to us on this forum, there’s loads of helpful advice if you work your way back through all the posts and the main thing is not to be afraid because we Parky pals all have different symptoms and Parkinson’s is a condition not a death sentence.
But we all have to follow our lives taking a different route now and finding out what helps us as individuals because of our various symptoms and struggles.
I personally have joined an exercise class and a singing group for People with PD and find both a great help.
There’s a music thread on here that I follow and people post so many threads about all sorts of things and not just sad stories so don’t be afraid of sharing your own thoughts and always ask for help and advice because there’s quite a few of us agony aunts/uncles ready to share theirs.
Good morning Beverley and welcome to the club. I am 71, live alone and was diagnosed in June 2023. The diagnosis is a shock when you first get it, but a relief in some way as we now know what is wrong with us, as clearly something was wrong. There are a lot worse things to have than Parkinson’s.
Do ask any questions you have. All of us know exactly how you feel and are happy to listen and perhaps put your mind at rest.
Hi Beverley I was diagnosed in October, although I suspected I had it for nearly a year before then. I’m on meds now (Ropinerole) which help, and I’ve only just started to look into forums and support resources like this one. I’d admit I was too bloody scared to look at them before now, but I feel I’m just starting to come to terms with the condition. It’s good to know you’re not alone and I do feel there are grounds to be positive about things going forward.
Hi, I saw your post from someone to someone else and you were so comforting. I was diagnosed on Friday and feel really scared and anxious. I just can’t see your way through. It’s all consuming right now. I hope you don’t mind me getting in touch.
Hi @Louise3, we’re sorry you’re feeling anxious. Getting a diagnosis can leave anyone feeling shaken, and it’s normal to feel unsure about what comes next.
You don’t have to take everything in at once. Give yourself time, and lean on people here whenever you need to talk things through. Anytime you need to chat, our freephone helpline is only a call away, on 0808 800 0303. We can talk things through at your own pace.
My wife was daignosed with vascula dementia 2000 and with parkinson’s 2019 she seems to be slowly sliping, more demanding and not be left on her own for longbefor she creis out , and I have to do every thing. So it’s hard as she is on a lot of medicain .Parkinson’s nurse only one in N.I and its by phone mostly .trying to do my best Had prostice cancer and just had a hip replacement last year.She goes into the modes as I call them of scared of deying and crying.Have cres coming in 4 times a day one sit on Monday and one Wednesday have a good team she also goes to a dat center Tuesday and Fridays.
Hi, @HiFi59 and a very warm welcome to the group. Thank you for sharing this with us. It’s very clear how much you’re carrying and how deeply you care for your wife.
Supporting someone living with both Parkinson’s and vascular dementia can be incredibly demanding, especially when you’re also managing your own health and recovery. It sounds exhausting, and it’s completely understandable to feel stretched and overwhelmed at times.
We have information on caring for someone with Parkinson’s on our website here, which includes a section on how you can make sure you are taking care of yourself and your wellbeing.
If it would help, you can always speak with our helpline. Our advisers are there to listen, talk things through, and offer practical information or emotional support for both you and your wife. You can call them for free on 0808 800 0303 (9am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and 10am and 1pm on Saturdays).
You don’t have to cope with this on your own, and we’re really glad you reached out here
I was diagnosed in December after a fall put me in hospital and the neurosurgeon came to see me it’s still fairly new to me I csn only walk with a frame and I’m not coping very well to be honest My antidepressants have been increased to 45mg from15 in the hope it helps me
ready to share theirs.