Hello,
I just wanted to say welcome to the group. My spouse has had Parkinsons since 2013. It began with small handwriting and a fall at work. He was diagnosed with tremors . My brother is 67 yo in hospice with Stage 5 Parkinsons and Lewy Body Disease.My Dad died from complications from his Parkinsons in 2018. We received the official diagnosis 12 days after my Dad died. I cannot began to tell you all that has happened through the year's. He has Stage 4 + at this time. What did they say and what are you familiar with? Symptoms? I don't want to feel that you cannot share as it is very caring and supportive group. Please ask me anything that I have done with my family members. 🫂 🤗

Hello @macowen,

I want to join @sillyblone in welcoming you to the PD support group on Mayo Connect. As she said, this is a place where you can share your concerns and receive support. When my PD symptoms began (many years before the actual diagnosis), I had balance problems, foot dragging, a soft voice, and one-sided weakness. Once I began treatment (carbidopa/levodopa) I noticed a marked improvement. Medication, combined with regular exercise, is an important factor in delaying the disability of PD.

I look forward to hearing from you as you share a bit about your husband's journey with a PD diagnosis. How long ago did his symptoms begin? Has he begun medication or physical therapy yet? What do you need to know?

First of all, rember that you're our own advocate. Learn everything you can online...don't settloe for one description; dig as deep as you can: Mayo, Cleveland Clinic; AI; books from MJFox Foundation, from Phinney, from JAMA. Search for Parkinson's groups and Local Branches...there's lots out there, but you have to fid it yourself, then bring it up to your/his Motion Disorder Neurologist. And there afe plenty of symptoms/side effects/parkinsonisms (Whatever they want to call it) that you need to know about: neurologistd will only treat Their specialty. Plan on accruing multiple doctors who treat the individual s/s/p 's that a MDS(Oh, mentor, comment o that, please)