Hi Singing_Gardener
I contacted my GP some years ago when I started to have a tremor in my left hand. He said there were no tests for Parkinsons, it probably wasn’t that, and not to worry about it. Some years later in December 2017, a different GP took me more seriously and suggested seeing a neurologist. The NHS waiting time was a number of weeks so I found a private neurologist and saw him a week later. He did several “tests” and indicated that he thought it was Parkinsons and that a Datscan was the only way to be sure. I wanted to know for certain so agreed to have the scan. Surely enough it turned out that he was correct - I have moderate Parkiinsons and he thinks that I have had it for 5-7 years. I try not to wonder if things would have been different if it had been investigated more thoroughly earlier. I started on Sinemet plus straight away and have now added Rasagaline to the mix.
I have had chronic arthritis for many years and find it difficult to decide where the problems are coming from. - A or P? I lost my sense of smell years ago, as did my father, but now it has returned (Aren’t hyacinths wonderful?) My neurologist was pleased with my progress and thinks he won’t need to see me for six months unless I have a problem.
So - things are proceeding steadily. The main difficulty for me is wondering how Parkinsons will develop and what to expect.
Last week my movement was difficult and quite painful. It was quite a while before I remembered that this is normal for me at this time of year as the weather changes, and the barometric pressure fluctuates. affecting my arthritis - the same happens in the autumn.
Symptoms don’t come with labels so guesswork is involved, part of the challenge I suppose. Currently I think the arthritis is my worst problem so Parkinsons has been pushed into the background - till next time!
Anyway - getting my hair cut on Thursday, so that will cheer me up.
Best wishes to everybody - keep smiling if you can.
Audrey