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

Hello @kshansen and welcome to the Parkinson's support group on Mayo Clinic Connect. Most of us with a PD diagnosis do not know what caused it. I can understand your struggle with energy.

When I was first diagnosed, I had problems walking, balance problems, and foot dragging. Have you had any movement symptoms or tremors? Did your neurologist suggest trying any medications in the near future to help?

I'm new here so hope I don't make too many mistakes!

Not sure what the reason I have PD or exactly what caused it. At least for some reason the neurologist I was seeing says that is what I have.

One of my biggest problems is memory or lack of it! Another problem is what I guess I would call gastric, won't go it to details at this point.

The doctor has put me on an exercise program three times a day, basically a set of stretches and walking. No meds at this point and my next appointment is sometime in May.

Mornings are the worst for me. I used to be a guy who could get up at 5:30am and snow blow drive(in winter here in NY) before going to work then come home and do it again when I got home. I understand that as I turned 76 today that might be too much to expect but even a couple years ago I could still manage that and still have energy to do other work.

Now just doing my stretching things are a struggle in morning, late after noon not as bad.

I'll stop right here for now and see if I can be sure to know how to post this!

Thanks for sharing. I will adjust my exercise program based on what you shared. Thanks again.

@hermawm9 I remember that day. It was hard. I was sure it was a mistake.

Hello @hermawm9, and welcome to the PD support group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

I can understand your shock at this new diagnosis. Most of us felt the same way when we left the neurologist's office after our diagnosis.

When I was first diagnosed, I had problems with gait (I walked with a stagger), I also had foot dropping, balance issues, and a very soft voice. Many of these symptoms lessened after medication and physical therapy, accompanied by a regular exercise program. I began to feel a little bit more in control of my situation after that. Here is a link to the Parkinson's Foundation website, where exercise for PD is discussed: https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise

Share as you are comfortable doing so, a little about what symptoms led to your PD diagnosis. What other tests were done to help diagnose PD?

@hopeful33250

I was just diagnosed today … I am still in the shocked phase of recovery.

@hopeful33250 thank you!

@southwest hi. I just ordered the Nuropod and am waiting for it to arrive. Thanks for sharing your experience. Being super sensitive/reactive to medications I'm very interested in non invasive devices.

@hopeful33250 hello! my husband lifts light weights to help maintain some arm muscle, he does leg lifts and biceps weight machine. only about 10 minutes. he uses the elliptical machine about 5 minutes. then his body temp causes him so much anxiety that’s all he can do. he used to walk in our neighborhood but the heat of the sun on his face (even with a hat) burns his temples and cheeks. he does feel better mentally (less anxiety) after he has exercised and cooled down.

@nova11723 hello! yes my husband started with sinemet but he had the same autonomic symptoms only more enhanced. but you do make us think that perhaps he’s still not on the correct meds. thank you