I have read a number of times that falls or accidents can sometimes precipitate or even capitulate pwp's into advanced stages of PD.
After my husbands awful accident on Monday I'm already finding myself looking for signs of rapid deterioration.
At the moment he is receiving care at home from professionals but I feel I have seen signs of worse tremor.
Has this happened to anyone. I would be very grateful for a totally honest reply.

dear jc, at least 10 years ago I was hit by a metal pole (not with intent - a falling washing line pole) Prior to this I had been diagnosed with vertigo, but from this day forth my tremor became pronounced and investigations commenced and eventually PD was confirmed. My mother happened to witness the event.
I do not think the thwack from metal pole caused my PD, but I do think it increased my anxiety levels and also those of my mother's
What I am trying to say is that any nasty experience be it physical or emotional will have an adverse impact. Those with PD will shake more & those that care will worry more

Hi JC.

I'm a great believer in the theory that PD progress in not a smooth line graph but a deterioration over the years in downward steps. I believe that both the initial trigger (either in initial symptoms becoming observable OR the initial professional diagnosis) AND subsequent deterioration points ALL align with significant traumas or periods of major stress in my life.

Once I was diagnosed, and able to look back through life with 20/20 hindsight, I can see the initial symptoms (lack of the sense of smell, tiny handwriting, foot-dragging) starting to appear around age 20. That was the year my mum died.

I started to get panic attacks, high blood pressure, pins & needles in my arms, stooping and leg cramps around age 41. That year I was made redundant.

Problems driving, occasional hallucinations, fatigue and being confused by street lighting etc followed when I was around 46. That was when major organisational change threatened my career, forcing me to transfer from the Highlands (which I adored), to Sussex.

The symptoms all started to get noticeably worse when I was 50, which was when PD was finally diagnosed. This was, surprise, surprise - shortly after my Dad died.

Since then (11 years ago) the number of downward steps has been too frequent to count, but nonetheless I'm certain each was caused by an individual specific trauma, even if not individually identiable. Over that 11-year period of course I was given DAs for 7, suffering 7 years of OCDs as a consequence. This was followed by 2 on bail and 2 being a local item of derision following the mocking coverage in our local press. This period also included losing career, family and everything else, plus two kidney stone ops and an umbilical hernia.

Had I been prescribed the correct drugs in 2000 I am utterly convinced that life would have sailed along smoothly, I would have retired happily and comfortably, and none of the downward PD steps since my father's death would have occurred.

Ray.

Thank you AB and Ray

Being the pessimistic type I'm looking for, and expecting, trouble.

This is what might happen.......

In our case..... O/h in total agony all night and so far today with compacted but seeping constipation on top of injury pain! Carers told yesterday but ignored.
8am I rang their office, explained the hellish night. They arrived empty handed. No wipes, no waste bags, no continence aids, no support for treatment, cleaned him up (with stuff I found!) and left. "It's the cuts, they blithely said.

At 9am I stood on pharmacists doorstep for suppositories and after 2 administrations, a lot of mess and distress for O/h, little had happened but enough to create havoc. O/h now in state of collapse and me, spent.

Defeated, rang surgery for help:
- Receptionist passed me to district nurse who called back
- Nurse informed me she had no authority to do a thing, she rang surgery
- Rang me back. Must be another visit from GP
- I freaked. That will not be until this eve. You'll have gone home
- She rang the surgery again
- Receptionist rang me. Dr has prescribed the enema, written the authority note
butyou must go and collect both from pharmacist. WHAT!!!
- I ring pharmacy. What time could I collect necessary? Pharmacist has stepped
out, don't know if have prescribed drug. If not, not available till tomorrow!!

Oh my god. I think I'm drowning!

Cuts cuts cuts and ridiculous red tape. Utterly disgusting uncaring government Welfare is clearly very low down on their list of priorities ::evil::]

Hi m'dear.

On several occasions I've had constipation so bad that I've been lying on the bathroom floor screaming, wishing I was dead.

If you're not getting the support you should be from the right people, do what I do - call 999 Ambulance. Make sure they hear the screaming.

My wife used to work on the 999 phones for the Sussex Ambulence Service, and she tells me that once a call is logged they're not allowed to close it off until it's been TOTALLY resolved.

And I was NEVER told off!

WE pay for the bluddy service. Don't be afraid to use it!

dear JC, please do as Ray advises & use the emergency services. And do not feel guilty or apologetic for doing so

What would I do without you two. Thanks guys. I'm now crying.

In the meantime the pharmacist rang me to say prescription was there. I drove down to get it and I'm now awaiting DN's call to say when she's coming. If there's any more nonsense I'll do as you suggest Ray. Sorry to say I didn't think of it myself.

During my mad years I became a regular, often without reason, but the ambulance crews never minded! I guess I'm better than a road traffic accident......