Hi folks. My mom has been diagnosed today with having the early stages of Parkinson's. I sort of had an idea she may have it but it has still come as a shock. I am not sure of what the disease is all about and whether my mom will lead a normal life. I am scared and worried as I lost my father 22 years ago and naturally, I feel like I am losing my mom. Can someone please help and explain to me what Parkinson's is and how it affects the sufferer.

Many thanks

Sally

Hi Sally and welcome to the forum
Im so sorry to hear about your mum, it must be a real shock for you. Parkinsons affects people in very different ways...not everyone has all the symptoms that you may read about. My husband was diagnosed with PD last summer at age 49. I suggest that you get a copy of Parkinsons Disease for Dummies as a good starting point. It is a very informative book but not too technical. Also a word of advice, if you get a book out of the library, check when it was printed! The first book I got was very out-of-date. Things have changed and treatments/drugs have improved immensely. Also just to be clear that it is not a life-threatening disorder. It is progressive and chronic which basically means that over time (and noone can say how long) things will get more difficult.
I hope this helps a bit.
This is a very supportive, informative and friendly forum. I hope you find it useful.
Best wishes
Carrot

welcome sallyb


yes parkinsons is so different in each and every one of us thats why its called a designer disease.

i have been diagnosed two and a half years but showed symptoms back in the year 2000. i feel if you can stay positive it does help. i have finally found the right mixture of meds may need tweaking a bit but we get there in the end.
don't be scared there is help out there, your mum can stay independant she may just need your help now and again.
be strong and careing wish sounds like you are already and she will be fine. love and support goes a long way
goldi..

Hi Sally, sorry to hear about your mum. Indeed such a diagnosis can come as a shock, I know it did to me when I was given the news that I had PD in September 2007, then aged 51.

You will find lots of helpfull info and supportive people both at the main PDS site and on this forum. Remember you are not alone.

Good luck, melfyn.

Thank you for the messages I have received so far. It is a real comfort knowing there are people out there I can turn to if I need advice, help or just to listen if I need to 'vent' my feelings. Even though I am married and have a brother (who still lives with my mom so things will be more difficult for him), I feel I can't turn to my husband or brother to talk about PD. Thank you again.

Sally

I need some advice. My mom went for a scan Monday (9th Feb). I'm a bit confused as to what they are checking for as they have already completed various 'physical' tests, i.e. walking in a straight line, hand writing, etc. I was hoping someone could throw some light as to why they need to do a scan.

I'm finding it very frustrating as I offer to try and help, but my mom won't accept it. I don't think she can take it in that she has PD, which is understandable. It's also very scary as my mom has deteriorated alot over the past few months.

Thank you again to everyone who has read this and those of you who offer your advice and support.

Hi Sally B,

Diagnosis is a very trying time for both the person being diagnosed and those around them. Acceptance of the illness i found was even more challenging. Some people never seem to accept the illness and therefore find it difficult to cope with Parkinson's in their life.

If you go to the home page of this site, under publications you will see an information sheet called 'diagnoses and scans'-this explains in a very easy to understand way of the different methods of diagnosis and the different scans that may be used to do so. Please take time to have a look, i believe you will find it of great benefit. You can print it out or request a copy from the pds, the phone numbers on the home page too.

The link to the information sheet is below but it may be removed.
http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/pdf/FS48_0308_web.pdf

Best wishes
QT

Hi QT

Many thanks for that. I managed to have a look at the link. It has put my mind at ease.

Many thanks

Sally