Living with Parkinson's Disease - Meet others & come say hi

@sandycerem Yes, Parkinson's is a varied disorder - and it affects everyone differently. Continuing speech therapy is a good thing and reading out loud - perhaps you could take turns reading out loud to each other - it helps the voice but it is also a good cognitive exercise I've been told. Depression is very common with PD because there is a change in brain chemistry with PD. On June 1, I posted an article from the Michael J. Fox website regarding Moods and Parkinson. You might take a look at it - I believe it will be helpful for you both. Have you mentioned his depression to his doctor yet? Support groups are also very helpful. Have you attended any Parkinson's support groups together? Teresa

@david59 Hi David: I was thinking about you - you had posted about "freezing" with Parkinson's and I was wondering how you were doing. Have you talked with your doctor regarding the freezing, yet? Any improvements with this problem? Teresa

Hello to everyone. I just received my diagnosis today and am still in a bit of shock. I am happy to find this forum so quickly and look forward to both giving and receiving support.

@bobbieingeorgia Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. I am also happy that you found this forum so quickly. We have many members who are more than willing to be supportive and helpful to you. We all recall the day when we received the diagnosis and remember that it was understandably a shock. I would like to invite our members to join me in welcoming you, @chrisj2491 @denie57 @johnjames @trouble4343 @ggopher @tntredhead @aperob @caryp43 @burgle @macbeth @knightkris @mariemarie @pjsammy @techi @sandycerem. We look forward to getting to know you better. Please share with us, as you feel comfortable doing so, a little information as to how this PD diagnosis came about. Have you been noticing changes for a long time? What symptoms led your doctor to diagnosis PD? Teresa

Hi Bobbie, 

It was a shock, but at least it replaced uncertainty over seemingly random symptoms with something that had a name and treatment.

A medical team you trust is critical, but this group is a great resource of folks with personal experience.

Steve  

Hello @techi While I'm not a medical professional I can only give you some information from my research. Here is a website from Mayo that lists different tests that are done to diagnose MS, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/diagnosis-treatment/diagnosis/dxc-20131901 Did you have a brain MRI or lumbar puncture tests?

With regards to diagnosing Parkinson's, here is information from Mayo's website that explains how Parkinson's is diagnosed. The diagnosis for Parkinson's is not as clear-cut as the method to diagnose MS, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20028488

Did a neurologist diagnose you with these disorders? Are you being treated with meds now? How are you feeling? Teresa

I was just told from the nurse at the Mayo clinic I need to have a ultrasound of my liver. Because I had several extra veins in my liver. My doctor wanted that done in 2015 before my surgery and it wasn't done. And my neurologist said she is going to do a pep test if that comes back normal then they will have to be trained to not fall out when I know I am going to fall. That seems a little crazy because I don't always know. So I'm still just a little confused.

@techi I am sorry to hear about the confusing messages. Do you have someone (family member or friend) who can talk with your doctor or nurse on your behalf and then explain to you what is happening? Teresa

Im just waiting until i have these test done. I have to call tbe rheumatolgist she wanted to see me also. I'm just a rare case and at least the mayo clinic is doing more for me then i have been getting for years. I was amazed at the first day i saw the internal medicine doctor she setup so many appointments and they drew 19 tubes of blood in one day. And this last time they ruled out alot of things. So we will see what's next.

@techi I am glad to hear that you are at Mayo and getting such good care. Please keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing. Is your next test scheduled sometime soon? Teresa