Parkinson's - Any experience?
Discussion
cashmax said:
I think my Dad has Parkinson's, just wondering if anyone could share their experience of symptoms and was lead to diagnosis in the first instance?
My old man has had Parkinson's for about 8 years now I think [try really does fly]. As far as I can remember the first symptom was a shaky hand, which has slowly got worse but thankfully not by much [it's his stiff back and neck that gives him more problems].I can ask more about his initial symptoms if you like?
My dad has Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, colloquially known as Parkinson's Plus, which although being a different neurological condition to Parkinson's does present similarly particularly in the early stages.
The main early symptoms were a loss of strength in his lower body, making walking difficult and leading to multiple falls. This went on for a couple of years before his GP referred him to a neurologist who gave the initial diagnosis (for reference, the key differentiator at that stage was the inability to move his eyes up and down - this is apparently a tell-tale of PSP over Parkinson's).
If it is Parkinson's then although there is no cure, there are drugs that can alleviate and delay some of the symptoms so if you can persuade your dad to get checked out by a neurologist that could help in the short term at least. But on the other hand I can quite appreciate that from his perspective, living in wilful ignorance for as long as he can is also a valid and understandable option.
The main early symptoms were a loss of strength in his lower body, making walking difficult and leading to multiple falls. This went on for a couple of years before his GP referred him to a neurologist who gave the initial diagnosis (for reference, the key differentiator at that stage was the inability to move his eyes up and down - this is apparently a tell-tale of PSP over Parkinson's).
If it is Parkinson's then although there is no cure, there are drugs that can alleviate and delay some of the symptoms so if you can persuade your dad to get checked out by a neurologist that could help in the short term at least. But on the other hand I can quite appreciate that from his perspective, living in wilful ignorance for as long as he can is also a valid and understandable option.
Here's my experience, my brother is now 6 years diagnosed.
First of all he had the shaky hand for quite awhile before it fully kicked in, at least 3 years. Then he developed Barratts Syndrome (also not great.) & this seemed to trigger the Parkinsons.
The second major symptom was a problem with standing still for any length of time. Queuing in a shop or a cinema became a real effort and now he just can't do it. When he travelled he had to go through the airport in a wheel chair. Now he is beginning to forget things, especially languages which is a bit of a problem as he works as a translator in Spain. But he is battling through that with some advanced software but we don't know how long he can keep working for.
He has now also developed the "Parkinsons grimace" which makes him look terrible. It looks like he is always smiling and his eyes are bulging & also affects his ability to speak and to swallow. This has good days and bad days but the recent change of medication hasn't helped and they will be trying in injections in March to help ease it. He doesn't like leaving the house at the moment as he doesn't feel like the most attractive person in the world.
He doesn't want to (or can't) fly back for a visit. He's not going to move back and I will be going out to see him in October which at his current rate of decline will probably be the last time he will be able to entertain without help. Its a more than a bit s
t when every time you skype your brother you see him get a little bit worse and there is nothing you can do to help. My Mum, who is 86 and can't fly herself, has now accepted that she won't see him in person again.
All in all, it's a bit of a bummer.
First of all he had the shaky hand for quite awhile before it fully kicked in, at least 3 years. Then he developed Barratts Syndrome (also not great.) & this seemed to trigger the Parkinsons.
The second major symptom was a problem with standing still for any length of time. Queuing in a shop or a cinema became a real effort and now he just can't do it. When he travelled he had to go through the airport in a wheel chair. Now he is beginning to forget things, especially languages which is a bit of a problem as he works as a translator in Spain. But he is battling through that with some advanced software but we don't know how long he can keep working for.
He has now also developed the "Parkinsons grimace" which makes him look terrible. It looks like he is always smiling and his eyes are bulging & also affects his ability to speak and to swallow. This has good days and bad days but the recent change of medication hasn't helped and they will be trying in injections in March to help ease it. He doesn't like leaving the house at the moment as he doesn't feel like the most attractive person in the world.
He doesn't want to (or can't) fly back for a visit. He's not going to move back and I will be going out to see him in October which at his current rate of decline will probably be the last time he will be able to entertain without help. Its a more than a bit s
t when every time you skype your brother you see him get a little bit worse and there is nothing you can do to help. My Mum, who is 86 and can't fly herself, has now accepted that she won't see him in person again. All in all, it's a bit of a bummer.
Thanks for the responses. My Dad is 85, about 6 years ago, he fell from a tree and broke his back (don't ask!) although they screwed him back together the recovery was hard and he never returned to his old self. Even today he complaints of constant pain and painkillers don't seem to help.
More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
There is only one way to find out for sure and it's not on PH....
Although to fly in the face of that a friend of mine went undiagnosed for years, it was his friends who told him he had it!
But yeah, go see a doctor.
My friend started to hold himself quite stiffly, especially when he turned and suffered from depression too of which there was seemingly no cause. They were the things I knew about. Now when he breathes his whole upper body goes up and down a bit.
Although to fly in the face of that a friend of mine went undiagnosed for years, it was his friends who told him he had it!
But yeah, go see a doctor.
My friend started to hold himself quite stiffly, especially when he turned and suffered from depression too of which there was seemingly no cause. They were the things I knew about. Now when he breathes his whole upper body goes up and down a bit.
cashmax said:
Thanks for the responses. My Dad is 85, about 6 years ago, he fell from a tree and broke his back (don't ask!) although they screwed him back together the recovery was hard and he never returned to his old self. Even today he complaints of constant pain and painkillers don't seem to help.
More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
Doctors as soon as possible. He's 85, stuff happens. The goal is to manage his condition(s) and improve quality of life. More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
PositronicRay said:
cashmax said:
Thanks for the responses. My Dad is 85, about 6 years ago, he fell from a tree and broke his back (don't ask!) although they screwed him back together the recovery was hard and he never returned to his old self. Even today he complaints of constant pain and painkillers don't seem to help.
More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
Doctors as soon as possible. He's 85, stuff happens. The goal is to manage his condition(s) and improve quality of life. More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
There are a number of very important markers there that strongly suggest Parkinson’s.
The Hypno-Toad said:
PositronicRay said:
cashmax said:
Thanks for the responses. My Dad is 85, about 6 years ago, he fell from a tree and broke his back (don't ask!) although they screwed him back together the recovery was hard and he never returned to his old self. Even today he complaints of constant pain and painkillers don't seem to help.
More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
Doctors as soon as possible. He's 85, stuff happens. The goal is to manage his condition(s) and improve quality of life. More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
There are a number of very important markers there that strongly suggest Parkinson’s.
deckster said:
The Hypno-Toad said:
PositronicRay said:
cashmax said:
Thanks for the responses. My Dad is 85, about 6 years ago, he fell from a tree and broke his back (don't ask!) although they screwed him back together the recovery was hard and he never returned to his old self. Even today he complaints of constant pain and painkillers don't seem to help.
More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
Doctors as soon as possible. He's 85, stuff happens. The goal is to manage his condition(s) and improve quality of life. More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
There are a number of very important markers there that strongly suggest Parkinson’s.
cashmax said:
Thanks for the responses. My Dad is 85, about 6 years ago, he fell from a tree and broke his back (don't ask!) although they screwed him back together the recovery was hard and he never returned to his old self. Even today he complaints of constant pain and painkillers don't seem to help.
More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
A huge thankyou for this. My dad is pushing 83, has not yet had a diagnosis but has exactly the same symptoms you have described. May I ask is he still driving ? Mine is !More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
Edited by Rockets7 on Wednesday 12th January 22:51
Rockets7 said:
cashmax said:
Thanks for the responses. My Dad is 85, about 6 years ago, he fell from a tree and broke his back (don't ask!) although they screwed him back together the recovery was hard and he never returned to his old self. Even today he complaints of constant pain and painkillers don't seem to help.
More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
A huge thankyou for this. My dad is pushing 83, has not yet had a diagnosis but has exactly the same symptoms you have described. May I ask is he still driving ? Mine is !More recently he has started drooling all the time, although chewing gum helps, he is constantly doing it. I have observed slight tremors in his hand and although he can go for walks, he doesn't seem to be able to swing his arms. When he walks around the house it's small steps, like a shuffle. He also has a stoop, which seems to be getting worse. He often talks very quickly in a mumble and it's hard to understand him. His writing has got tiny, amazed how he can write so small considering his eyesight.
On top of that, he is full of anxiety and has bad bouts of depression.
It appears to me, that there are lots of markers for Parkinson's there and whilst I know there is no cure, if some of the symptoms could be controlled, I'd think he would be a lot happier.
Edited by Rockets7 on Wednesday 12th January 22:51
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