The doctor has just told my husband she thinks he has Parkinsons. Told us to read about it and return in a week or so for a further chat about it, and presumably to be referred to a specialist. I am totally devasted and have not been able to stop crying, which I realise is not what my husband needs right now. I am so terrified about the implications, and would welcome any reassurance that anyone can give me please.

Some of the advice given to Pete at
http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/pdsforum/posts.aspx?forum=meet-and-greet&topic=blast-and-double-blast
might be helpful to you.

I shan't repeat all my own advice, because that would break forum rules, but I invite you to follow the above link and take a look.

I know,yes, I really know how you feel. These early days are devastating for the partner as well as the P.w.P. I know all about the crying in private.Two days after he was diagnosed my husband had to go off to China for two weeks.I cried the whole of those two weeks. I was not helped by some doom and gloom merchants that phoned me thinking they were helping.I began to get things into perspective after bumping into someone who I knew was married to someone who had had P.D for a long time.I asked how he was and she said,"Why not ask him for yourself?"Then I noticed the man standing next to her.I never thought for one minute it was her husband.
P.D is a designer disease so nobody knows how anyone will progress or in what form their symptoms will take.My husband is four years down the line and is still running and dancing...o.k, not as well as he did but still better than a lot of people.John Ball in the U.S is still running marathons after more than 20 years.Another saviour was this website, where I found that although some people had had P.D for a long time and some were quite badly affected they were still leading rich and fulfilling lives. I have found that P.D has helped me to sort out my priorities.I wish that it had not taken P.D to do it but I grateful that I can now see what is important in my life and appreciate every day.
Make it your business to find out all you can about P.D as knowledge is power and do encourage your husband to exercise. Exercise seems to be very important in P.D. Do not let your G.P prescibe medication for him as they are General Practioners not experts.He should see a neurologist a a.s.a.p.Insist on it. Thinking of you,Barbara

Hi budgies,

Try not to panic! it's not easy I know but the best way of dealing with it, is to stay positive and once you've got over the shock and looked a little into PD, you will understand that it doesn't have to take over your lives, there will be changes for your family to deal with but they all won't happen overnight!
I was dx at 37, but had symptoms for about 5yrs before that, I'm 42 now and I try to carry on as normal as much as I possibly can, I get good days and not so good days,I even have bad days.

There's always someone to answer your question, don't hesitate to ask about anything.

Keep you chin up and take care!

Gill.x

Also do not forget that medication is improving all the time and eventually there will be a cure.Maybe not in my lifetime as I belong to the older generation but certainly in my son's.

Me again.Read Cecily's blogg about her visit to China and you will realise that although P.D is a very unwelcome guest, who keeps getting in the way, it does not put your life on hold.

Dear Budgies - so sorry to hear your news. I was dx in July this year so know how you must both be feeling. I am 54. Although its difficult to feel this now but you will soon come to realise that your worst fears may never come to pass. As Barbara says this is such a complex disease that what happens to other PwP may not happen to your husband. That's what I am holding onto during these early months. I was given a recommendation of a wonderful book called "Parkinsons Disease for Dummies". The title seems a little insensitive but its a great source of helpful advice and I would recommend it to you both. Do keep in touch and have a good look through the forum - your knowledge will soon increase. Best wishes Sue xx

Thanks so much to everyone who has responded to my post - it is very kind of you. I have read and re-read your words again and again, and will continue to do so - they are very reassuring. I am so pleased to have found this forum.

Yes,Parkinson's for Dummies is an excellent book.

I don't mean to be negative, but what really scares me is that an acquaintance of ours had it - he was 76 years old and could hardly put one foot in front of the other, and it so depresses me to think of him. It doesn't have to end up like that though, does it?