A funny thing happened to me about 2 weeks ago, I had a symptom free day! Since then I have had about 8 or 9 symptom free days. If I don't eat anything except fruit, I have no symptoms at all.
Diagnosed by a Neurological examination in 2005 whilst working in Dubai and confirmed by a DAT scan in England in 2006 and then undiagnosed by Prof. Erle Lim in Singapore in 2014. Now I am beginning to think that I am going to come out of this (Parkinson's). Prof. Erle could find no symptoms at all during 3 visits with him, at the time I thought that he was wrong, how could this be? After all, I had been told by a bunch of Neurologists that I had Parkinson's Disease.
About 8 months ago I thought that I was approaching the end, falling asleep in such pain, thinking that I would never wake up again. I accepted my fate as inevitable.
Approx' 2 years ago I suspected that certain foods made my symptoms worse and so I eliminated the offending foods, I began to lose weight. In those 2 years I have lost almost 25 kilos (almost 4 stone). Gradually the list of "safe to eat" food became smaller to the point where fruit was the only thing I could eat without feeling like shite. Then 2 weeks ago I did not eat anything at all, the next day was unbelievably good, no symptoms, I thought this must be a fluke. I have experimented with food a little, having fruit for breakfast, nothing during the day and then having food just before going to sleep at night. This has been a little hit and miss, if the effect of eating arrives before I am asleep then I will suffer for 3-4 hours until the food has done its dirty work by which time I am absolutely knackered and will finally fall asleep. I have to say that the need to eat has overcome the suffering it causes but, I will find a way through this, I will become a food detective.
I remember the Neurologist in Dubai telling me that I would have some difficulties with protein and that eventually I would experience side effect of the medication (on - off) I have been unable to tolerate eggs since the beginning and for the last 18 months the medication did what the Neurologist said it would do. I have had no "on - off" nonsense for about 3 weeks. Get this, I take Madopar Dispersible only, it is all that I can find in the local pharmacies here in Indonesia. 2 years ago I was working in Malaysia and was able to get hold of Sinemet CR. A year ago the Sinemet CR became intolerable so, I stopped taking it and hoped that the Madopar would be enough to to keep the symptoms away.
The Medical profession does know what causes Parkinson's, they are clutching at straws for the answer. They are able to recognise certain symptoms and diagnose the condition.
I have experienced the following symptoms at one point or another.
Cog-wheeling, Balance difficulties, Gait difficulties, Extreme muscle spasms (jaw & feet), No dreams, Sleep difficulties, Anxiety, Restlessness, Poor coordination, Arms stopped swinging.
In 2004 my Mum came to visit me in Canada for my Birthday (October), I had good health at that time. Six months later I had to tell my Mum that I had Parkinson's. I have read that Parkinson's reveals itself symptom by symptom (one at a time). In a period of 3 months I went from no symptoms to full on Parkinson's.
Yesterday I cycled 16 kms, the third time in the last fortnight.
It is difficult to gauge my symptoms against others with the condition as I have only met 1 other guy with the condition, they say that everyone's Parkinson's is "unique", mine certainly is.
Anyway, you're probably getting bored now.