Parkinson's Disease

[livingwith]

My mother was diagnosed with Parkinsons 2 years ago. She has very poor balance and has had a few falls. It doesn’t help that she wears long skirts to the ground which I believe makes it eaiser for her to trip.
I can tell within half an hour if she hasn’t taken her medication. Her gait becomes alot smaller and shuffly. She starts to slur when talking. And become less coherent.
She is also extremely emotional and can cry at anything and I mean ANYTHING.
I am looking to talk to people w...Read the full article

[ArleneL]

Hi Jodi,
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. However I know she's very grateful that you are around her and taking care of her. My boyfriend's mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's this week. My question to you is what should we look for dealing with this matter i.e. other symptoms ? Also did the doctors give your mother a time line to live? And is your mother currently on medication?

[Tasmus527]

Hi jody...

We are in similar boats... My father has been living with park for about 10 years now and he has just recently taken a turn towards down. Im trying to find someone to talk to that has experienced a loved one living with this... I don't know what to expect or how to deal with it. How do you talk to your parent about it? A strong man who values his pride? We never discuse his situation unless I speak to his wife. I just moved to FL and hes in NY... What stage is your mom at??? It's sad and hard to watch your parents go through this....

T. A

Feel free to Email me... [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed]
Happy Holidays...
Remember value the moments you have, not dwell on the ones you will miss....!!!

[Tasmus527]

I saw your post and wanted to share some info I know of.. My dad has had park for 10yrs or so... Unfortunatly everyone is extreamly different which makes giving a timeline almost impossiasble. However, a patient can live a functionable 10-15 yrs. Each person is there own individual... The best way to tell is by symptoms and behaviors... Tremors and a shuffled walk are usually the first and most pronounced signs that you see... But it takes a few years for other symptoms to surface... Feel free to email me... Its nice to talk to others who know what you are experiencing...

[moderator note: e-mail address has been removed]

TA

[angel00]

Hi Jodi.

Hi T.A and ArleneL too.

My dad was diagnosed with the disease 5 years ago. I may not live with my parents but I always make it a point to keep in touch. My mom said he’s not getting any better. He will only get better for a while when he change the medication (which happens every time we noticed that the current becomes ineffective anymore). He is also manifesting all the changes your mom is going through. But the most obvious one is he becoming aloof to other people. You see, my dad used to work in the navy, he’s a strong and proud man, and it sadden me to see him losing it. I don’t believe that there is a formula on how to live with a PD patient, but for my dad, what my family does is we’re treating him like he’s not sick. Like, we still make him decide for the family; or encourage him to do things he used to do before the disease. But if I may make a suggestion, if you get your mom to realize that long skirts are not helping, then it’ll come from her to stop wearing them.

May the new year brings new hope to you and your family.

[Tasmus527]

Angel 00

I'm going home for this Holidays and it will be the first time I see my dad since his wife told me he took a turn for down hill and is deterierating... I hoping that with a change of med's he will become better... Hes been living well for 10yrs or so and now he is slowly losing his independence... I know he doesnt want to live life and watch his body deterierate... he said that years ago.... Maybe now it different because he has 5 grandkids with 2 more on the way... I hope that I Go home to a father ive known, his wife said by lunch time hes a total different person....

Happy healthy holidays to all...