Hi there!
I surprisingly nervous about writing my first message. I was diagnosed in May last year and have spent much of the year trying to work out what this will mean to my life and future. So far not too bad. Perhaps the side effects of Requip is the most challenging so far.

I am just looking for people who share this experience.Perhaps get advice from those that know. It is all a bit overwhelming at the moment.

Looking forward to future communications with you all.

Hi Mayhem and a warm welcome to the forum. I was dx about 7 years ago, I'm 46 now and I vividly remember the period after diagnosis when I struggled to work out what it all meant. It took me a lot longer than you to get round to coming here.
You will find people here who can answer your questions about any aspect of life with Parkinson's.
Make yourself at home here - you will find someone or other online pretty much 24/7 either because they keep silly hours (like me) or because they are in australia.

Elegant Fowl

Hi Mayhem..

... think the name says it all!! .. but a warm welcome - like you, I initially hesitated but, for all of us, this is the 'place to be'.. You will find so much understanding, empathy... and often pure common sense.. You can come at any time (looks like you, like me, are a bit of a 'night owl' - part of having PD apparently).. and someone will be around..

Maybe a little about me.. so often I've found that helpful as then I don't feel "alone".. I'm David, now 66, retired College Bursar (hence the Forum name).. lovely wife and two youngsters in their 30'a now.. I was diag. Jan'y 2011 thanks to the persistence of a good GP - was "euphoric" at first 'cos knew something hadn't been right, but now had a name for it - 36 hours later, euphoria was all gone and absolute panic took it's place.. My manifestations are not the tremor type, but stiffness, slowness left hand side.. sometimes "tight" chest/abdomen..bit of a droopy eyelid when I get tired... and a bit of the old anxiety.. Meds are Pramipexole (Mirapexin) and Azilect. Used to run/jog - used to take my 'gear' on holiday, so "literally" jogged all over the world.. also used to play piano.. Neither of these happen any more but do go to the gym five days
a week (weights, treadmill, rower and swimming) and have bought electronic keyboard with one finger auto-accompaniment (so there are ways!)..

It took me a little while to come to terms... worried loads, cried, fretted, always looking for signs of degeneration - but meds/exercise seem to keep me where I'm at (but some days easier than others).. I was never any good at "thinking positive", Olympic gold for fretting),but I'm learning to do it... and it does work!!

Better not take up too much more page space.. but again, welcome.. please keep in touch... come here when it's good... but come here when it's bad.. we're all here for one another (and don't fret - if you are worried, the HelpLine Team are absolutely brilliant and lovely - and often a 'live' chat with one of them works wonders..

Take care... 'till next time... bursardavid.

Hello Mayhem and welcome,

There is no need to be nervous, although I do understand. I think it may be something to do with putting down in print for yourself & others to see that you have pd?

I was dx just over 3 years ago. Like BursarDavid I felt huge relief as I had been certain for some time that something was amiss.. Now I thought, in my innocence & ignorance , there will be pills & I will feel better.

Like yourself I found the side effects of Requip difficult. But these will either settle down or can be addressed. Keep in touch with your PDnurse (if you have one), your GP, and do not be afraid to ask advice from the PUK helpline. A nurse will 'phone you back Their patience & understanding is 2nd to none.

I will not do you the disservice of saying that having pd is a bundle of laughs. It has it's difficulties (does not everything?), but with help & support these can be managed. And life can still be enjoyed.

I trust that you will find as much support & advice fron being a member of this forum as I have done

I wish you the very best
AB

To all you lovely people who welcomed me I thankyou. It is so nice to know you have a link to people actually experiencing similar things.

A little about myself. I was dx May 2011. It came as a shock although with hindsight there were clues. It was not until the left hand tremor that the doctors put 2 x 2 together. I try to think positive and deal with one day at a time.

I am an actor and have been for nearly 40 years. Not famous but occassionally working. I hope the PD won't get in the way. At the moment it is a hand tremor which makes guitar playing slightly harder. (I was never Jimi Hendrix anyway) Other than that, sleep problems and dizziness, its not too bad so far. I have two beautiful very supportive children 24 & 19 still at home. They make it all seem so normal.

I have loads of questions spinning about in my head but I am not sure which are important or even useful. But I will start with one on supplements. I keep fit with regular excersise and loads of walking. I have noticed that muscles and joints are starting to ache a bit and take longer to recover. Anyone any thoughts on taking omega oils and glucosamine. I am a vege so I do put a lot of thought into my diet and some things are tricky without supplements. Do supplements clash with the PD medication does anyone know?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on the subject and any advice.

Welcome

Like all of us. you'll find PD a bit all-encompassing and difficult to define. It is hard to sort out the difference between what symptoms are the disease itself, the side effect of any drugs you take or the simple fact that you are getting older and things change over time.

PD is often blamed for a myriad of problems that are possibly not connected to the disease itself.

For clarity, I found it useful to keep a diary, listing you feeling that day. At least then you have a chance of tracking how you are doing.

Also, ask a partner, friend or relative to 'keep an eye' on you. This includes your health, your relationships and also your financial and legal dealings. Some of our members have had issues that can be devastating. Make a pact with them.

Best wishes for the future

Hello Mayhem and welcome.

You just reminded me of when I was diagnosed. Unlike some others it was not a relief as it came as a shock. I thought it was a trapped nerve!!!!!!!

After the Neuro said those words "you have Parkinson's disease" I burst in to tears.

As my husband and I walked through the shopping centre afterwards, all I could think of was what he had said, over and over and over again.

The day of Dx I went straight on line, needing the comfort of someone who would understand what I was feeling and I found them here

Well, life goes on. Still working, still me, still Mum, Wife, chief cook and bottle washer !!. Overall, life is very good, bit different but in some ways better.
Husband does more to help, takes me on holidays and even does the food shop (i hate food shopping).

Good luck and try to remember Parkinson's will take over your whole life if you let it. You are the same person so just be you, enjoy life because it is the only one you will have !!!!.

Hello Mayhem,

Welcome to the forum, as you see everyone is very friendly and you will gets lots of support and plenty of encouragement from fellow members.
My husband has had parkinson's for thirty years and his was diagnosed when he was in his late thirties so we have been through many situations over that time, but everyone is different so be prepared for taking a slightly different path in life than you had perhaps planned at some stage, but there is still lots of life to enjoy. Its not the diagnoses but the managment of the drugs that makes all the difference in coping with this condition.
my very best wishes and good luck
vivian

Dear Mayhem I know post dx can feel like mayhem I have been dx for 4yrs and have sort of leanrt to live with it I too have 2 beautiful kids 20yrs and 24yrs my eldest is a photographer so art in both families! I also take requip which can cause impulsive responses be careful take care an love your life!

Hi and welcome
I am also veggie and take supplements which I believe help but I'm not on meds yet. If you can find a naturopath to consult they should be able to advise you, probaly after analysing a blood sample and having a good chat with you.