Hi,
My friend was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's (aged 42). The Dr decided not to put him on medication straight away as his symptoms were not affecting his life too much. It's now about 2 months after his diagnosis and he has gotten really bad. He is noticeably slower and feels very uncomfortable all the time. At social gatherings he often has to walk around a lot or go and lie down. He feels a compulsion to walk/move all the time and walks with his back straight in a kind of shuffley manner, with one arm usually straight. My question is, is it usual for people to go downhill shortly after diagnosis? Could it be stress that is causing this? He refused to go on any anti-depressants to control a high level of anxiety he is experiencing. In your experiences has this helped you? He had emergency appointment with his specialist and was given trial medication (dopamine). So hopefully this will help.
Any thoughts/advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Iris x

I remember that my symptoms were worse immediately after diagnosis, and I think this is natural, because you feel so shocked, and all those strange symptoms have suddenly got a name. And of course you worry for the future. It is amazing to me how much anxiety and stress can impact on the physical body. So it is maybe a good time just to take stock, become used to the situation (because it is not that different from how it was the day before diagnosis after all) and perhaps take up some relaxing activities. I know it's easy to say 'relax' but actually that's what is needed at this difficult time. He needs to treat himself and pamper himself a bit! I wish you well, let us know how you go on. Above all, 'Stay Calm and Don't Panic'!

Thanks Melody,
It's good to know that it's normal for symptoms to appear worse after diagnosis, although I am very sorry that you and my friend have had to go through this. In your experience, is the medication likely to make much difference in his life? Will he feel "normal", even for a little while? I know that it is different for everybody, but it would be good to know your experiences, and those of anyone else out there who would like to respond too. Because he's gone downhill so quickly, we are fearful that perhaps he might have a severe form of the disease. He refuses to get tested to find out if his symptoms could have a secondary or different cause. I guess if the dopamine words then we know that he actually has Parkinson's.
Thanks for your response. It really helps to hear other's experiences.

Hi iris11 I`m sorry to hear about your friend but as melody said don`t worry it could be the shock/stress making him worse. I found at Christmas i was so stressed my symptoms were the worst they have ever been, like you i thought this was permanent. A long rest and stress free few days and i felt much better.

I hope the meds he`s taking are helping? in my experience (which is only 2 years from dx)its trial & error with drugs and you have to give them time and hope the side effects wear off!

Please keep in touch and pass on my regards,

Big C

Stress is accepted as the number one enemy of Parkinson's, and it can bring on specific symptoms literally in seconds.

In my case anything which would simply make a normal person "jump", like an unexpected loud knock at the door or even the phone ringing, often creates a surge of adrenaline/dopamine which then causes me to freeze to the spot like a statue. I genuinely cannot move a single muscle (fingers, limbs, neck etc) for up to 20 minutes. It then gradually wears away.

Cumulatively I've found that the more stress there is in your life the faster you deteriorate, so I've got no chance living in Hull, LOL!

Thanks so much for your responses. I can't tell you how comforting and helpful they have been.
Cheers,
Iris

Hi Iris
I hope you're feeling calmer now, I know how frightening it is. I have to say that many of us get all caught up in the Meds thing - what to take, when to take it, try this and that, etc., and after a while, it will all settle into a manageable situation, that I can promise. Try not to let the doctors/meds throw you into panic. You need to try and judge for yourself, because as you have probably realised, Parkinson's is a very individual illness, so it's horses for courses I'm afraid! The best expert on yourself is yourself, that's what I think!
(Tamsin, previously Melody, please see 'Meet and Greet' for confusion story).

Looking at it a different way one reason symptons appear to get worse more quickly is because that is what is happening. I knew there was something wrong for a fair while before diagnosis (and had a good idea what it was) but it was when things started to get worse more quickly I went to the doctors.
In my case I seem to have bits of rapid decline then level off for a while then another dip. This may be what you are seeing here.
When the meds start you might see some scary stuff at first and every time doses or meds change. This seems to be farly common too.

I agree with all your comments .

Hi iris
Like your friend I was dx and symptoms got worse.stress is a big part.once dx you try to think how long have I had it,then try to compare to how long you've got left.what if this happens,what about the family and kids.what about future plans.
I was dx in nov last year and go to Tenby every year.cant do that now to far to drive and to hilly.so last weekend I bought a caravan at Skegness to relax and chill out at the weekends while I can.what I'm saying is don't let pd rule your life.bring your future plans to the present if you can.hope this hel
S