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Newbie

Hi,I'm Jim and I'm 77years old and just been told I may have PD. So,being proactive about it and trying not to panic

  1. Hi Jimmy,

    I'm so sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. We understand that receiving this diagnosis can bring about a flood of feelings, and it can be a lot to process. I wanted to share a couple of articles that are directed to folks who are newly diagnosed:

    https://parkinsonsdisease.net/living/direction-newly-diagnosed/
    https://parkinsonsdisease.net/living/newly-diagnosed-whats-next/

    I hope you find these articles helpful. Thanks for reaching out, and please know that this community is here to support you!

    - Chris, ParkinsonsDisease.net Team Member

    1. HI Newbie Jimmy - I just wanted to talk to you as an Oldbie (?) . I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease over 21 years ago when I was just 36. Parkinson's is very different for each person it strikes, but in general, many people with parkinson's can live a good life even after diagnosis through medications, exercise, surgery, and other means. I'm so sorry that you have this disease or any other ailment for that matter. But I just want to reassure you that Parkinson's has been a livable disease for me. Don't give up the hope that it will be the same for you too!

      Wishing you all the best! Donna, ParkinsonsDisease.net Team Member

      1. Hello all. Thanks for sharing, it helps in that I'm a newbie too and all alone in this new piece of my life. I was diagnosed in April 2017 and got my first rx for sinemet then too. The news was delivered after a previous diagnosis of fuctional neurological symptom disorder just two months before. I'm still not sure I have either one!! I'm 61 and just found out incidentally that I have a brain tumor also, a meningioma. So now, of course, I think that's causing my symptoms. The neurologist that diagnosed me just dumped it in my lap and walked out of the exam room. I was and am still devastated. The neurosurgeon says the symptoms ate not caused by the brain tumor. The sinemet and Neupro and lexapro in taking have helped muy symptoms but I'm already having dystonia and dyskinesia. I see a different neurologist now that is more human and that i can talk to so I'll ask him about this then. My parents are much too old to understand and my children and siblings don't get it at all and don't seem to care or take it seriously. I know I'm venting but I want to learn and hear from others that have experienced this as well.
        THANK you.

        1. Hi, Leslie - thank you for sharing with us, and we're glad to have you here. This is definitely a place where you can vent! I'm sorry to hear about your experiences with your former doctor and his/her lack of tact. It's great that you found a new neurologist that is more understanding. We actually have an article that talks more about dyskinesia here: https://parkinsonsdisease.net/dyskinesia-uncontrollable-movement-side-effect/. I hope you find this helpful. We understand that it can be hard to get others to understand more about PD, but I thought I'd share this article with you as well: https://parkinsonsdisease.net/living/talking-about-pd-with-others/. Perhaps introducing this site to them will encourage them to learn more about PD! Thanks again for sharing. - Chris, ParkinsonsDisease.net Team Member

      2. Thank you so much for your kinship Chris. Knowing others have or are experiencing some of the same is very comforting. You definitely seem to have your fingers on the pulse so too say and have great links to share. I'm like a sponge and am absorbing so much. I'm an RN and have batted for many end stage Parkinson's victims. I never dreamed I'd be one. I hope to be able to learn and share worth others my story and help them south theirs.

        What are you thoughts on clinical trials and where could I be the most help,

        Thanks again,

        Leslie

        1. Hi Leslie! Hope you don't mind I'm jumping in here as Chris is off today! First of all - thank you for being such a wonderful community member here - we really appreciate you! Secondly, I thought you might be interested in these articles on clinical trials, since you asked about them:
          1. https://parkinsonsdisease.net/clinical/understanding-clinical-trials/
          2. https://parkinsonsdisease.net/clinical/clinical-trial-participation/
          3. https://parkinsonsdisease.net/clinical/clinical-trial-terminology/
          I do hope this is helpful!
          Wishing you our best,
          Jenn (ParkinsonsDisease.net Team)

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