Asking for help as the caregiver (husband 20 yrs with Parkinson's)

Keep your faith. God has a plan. My son was diagnosed when he was 41. He is now 51. I think you’re an amazing wife. God bless you.
My son’s wife was awful. They have 5 children together and he gave her the divorce she wanted. He lived with me and his father and is now living with his brother. It’s a horribly sad disease. I hope you have help that comes in. Just remember…God is with you. He will provide all that you need. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

My husband was diagnosed in 2020, but he had symptoms before that. He has been on medication since. His temper was right at the edge all the time. When I told his neurologist, he put him on anti-depressant and that was the end of the temper. He has had to have his esophagus stretched twice. He is having to use a walker sometimes because his balance is not good and he is weak. He has virtually no appetite and no interest in anything. This week his dr changed the carbidopa-levedopa to a new form to see how it works for him. That is fairly brief story of our situation. We have been married 66 years, so you see we are not young.

Hello all. I’m 76 yo wife caring for my 80 yo husband of 47 yrs. After 3+ years of seeing multiple specialists, the neurologist ordered a DAP test at Mayo Clinic for the diagnosis. We live in Jacksonville, FL. Initially it was a relief to have a name for all of the symptoms. Then the hard work began of gaining his cooperation with treating the symptoms.

I cannot say how much your posts resonate with me. We argue & fight at times. I am sad yet can’t cry. I’m angry this has happened. I’m seeing a therapist to address my emotional state and help me cope. This disease is unrelenting in presenting new challenges. I do have help from our children and for that I am extremely grateful.

I am sending hugs out to all. I am telling myself I am doing the best I can. I know when the dementia is talking and that this is not the man I married. I am pushing on with self care. I’m a type 1 diabetic on insulin for 57 years; my condition gets progressively challenging to manage as time goes on & stress builds. I have periods of being overwhelmed and stuck. I am comforted to know I’m not alone in this journey. I look forward to being in this group.

@elizajayne

You wrote: I grieve the loss of a normal relationship, a well spouse. I feel guilty because I still have him, but it is no longer a reciprocal marriage and I do crave connection, converstion and warmth.

I can so agree with that. I also feel bad when I get angry that I don't have those gifts anymore.

Honey, I wish I could give you a big hug and let you cry out your frustration on my shoulder.
It is so hard to keep up appearances when we ourselves are overwhelmed. No one seems to see it.
I am early in what H is going through, but I sometimes feel that if I ever just let go and cried out all the fears, stress, etc. I have; I would never be able to get it all back together to continue.

When it gets bad, I come here and read, support and post. Sometimes about what must seem small issues but in the situation, I see as Big issues.

Use us, we are here for you.

@colleenyoung
Colleen - This is why this site is GREAT!

@elizajayne I pray you have family near by. We now live in a generational suite with our son and his family. It’s nice to know help is on the of door. Hugs to you and your family.

Your posts resonate with me! We are Christians also and have strong faith in God. We wouldn't have got this far without Him. Do you think sometimes you actually feel guilty because you feel you should be able to keep going and be strong because of your faith, yet we are human and sometimes things just do get very heavy? I am 32 years old, been caring for my husband who has a degenerative neurological condition for 10 years. I grieve the loss of a normal relationship, a well spouse and a well father to our 2 girls. I feel guilty because I still have him, but it is no longer a reciprocal marriage and I do crave connection, converstion and warmth

@raebaby Oops, I meant to spell helped.

@hopeful33250 I'm glad it hellped. I have to admit that I am now addicted to findint the next interesting coloring book.