is parkinsons desease a terminal illness, and does it get prgressivly worse.

Hello Harbourlights. PD is not a terminal illness, however it can progressivley get worse. I was diagnoised 9 years ago and worked full time until 2 years ago and theres plenty of life in this old dog yet! PD effects people in different ways, some people may deteriate quite quickly whilst others may have the same symptoms for years. Thats why it's called the designer disease. The rate of progression can be slowed down with the appropriate medications, however, it can take ages to find the right one. Its such an individual condition that we dont even all have to have the same symptoms.

Hope this might have been of some help. Dont feel that you cant ask questions on the forum, ask away and somebody will give you an answer. Take care

regards
Glenchass

Hi - I have found your comments really encouraging that you were able to work for as long as you did after your diagnosis as I have been hoping that I will be able to work at least another 4 years to pay off the mortgage and you have given me hope that this is possible although I understand everyone is differeny, but I am hoping for the best.
Lizzy p

WARNING! DON'T READ IF OF A FRAGILE DISPOSITION - I MEAN IT!!!

INCLUDES MORTALITY STATISTICS








I have thought long and hard about this post, and I expect it will be very unpopular, but it is just not true that PD is not fatal. It is true that no one has ever died directly from lack of dopamine, but 56% of PWP in Norway has PD as a contributing factor in their death certificates and 20% died of pneumonia compared to a control group of 9%. The pneumonia is caused by breathing in food you can't swallow. Other causes are choking and falls. Considering the fact that most PWP are elderly when they get it, one would expect many of them to die of other causes before they can die of PD.
15000 deaths per year in the USA are attributed to PD.
5110 deaths were attributed to PD (ICD-10 G20) as the underlying cause in the UK in 2005.
I don't mean to upset anyone, but facts is facts.
And yes, it always gets worse - at varying rates, but always worse.

Thanks for that Kawerau
Really cheered me up
Carrot

sorry about that Kawereau
Having a bum evening
Serves me right for reading it
You did warn not to if of fragile dispostion...suppose that means i must be..lol
Curiosity killed the cat
No offence meant in last post
Carrot

Well,my cat's curious and is here sitting on my lap - not dead; there are always exceptions................She's nearly 18 btw ..

Well thanks for that positive post, I could tell you what my problem is, but won't, people who are struggling need support and postive feed back after reading your reply I would suggest you post on the moan thread.

No offence taken or meant.

It's inevitable that PD is put on a death certificate. Any illness/disease that a person has is put on the death certificate.I have seen death certificates with 4 or 5 causes listed but only one was the actual and final cause.

You may have a heart problem but die of cancer and vice versa. Both these will appear on your death certificate.

Also, any progressive illness, not just PD, is bound to affect any other medical problem that rears its head in our later years.