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

Hello Colleen: My husband was recently diagnosed with early stage Parkinson's. He is 78, in great shape, healthy for the most part, and very active. His symptoms are few, but disconcerting non-the-less. Stiffness upon rising after sitting, slight imbalance when walking, etc. We are looking for a protocol/blueprint to combat the progression of the disease, and to work positively with this devastating news. He's enrolled in PT twice per week to build muscle, resistance and balance. He's staying positive and active as well. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Laurie Mandy Karopczyc, or just Laurie!

DR. told me exercise daily
really helps

does stem cell treatment help in early PD

Hi, @lauriesgmk - I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is significant, life-changing news to receive a diagnosis like your husband's of Parkinson's. The physical therapy he is doing sounds great. Your desire to learn more to combat the progression of the disease is admirable.

How is he doing today?

Hello to everyone in the PD support group. I just received an email from The Davis Phinney Foundation with information about its June webinar. As you can see, when you open the link, the discussion will be on the emotional and mental health implications of PD on both the patient as well as the caregivers. I would encourage you to register for the meeting. If you are registered, but cannot attend, you will receive information on how you can view the webinar at a later time.
http://dpf.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=23243.0&dlv_id=32646&pgwrap=n

Hi I am new to these discussions. My name is Catherine and I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s for about 2 years. I am going out to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale Arizona in a few weeks as I am looking for some alternative treatments. Currently I take Crexont 3 times a day but I suffer off time about every 4 to 5 hours or so and have to supplement the Crexont during the night in order to sleep. I suffer from pain in my right thigh and throbbing throughout my body. Since I started taking the Crexont I have begun to show symptoms of dyskinesia. Can you tell me about the patch?

Hi, @cmccarthy1115 - thanks for joining this discussion on living with Parkinson's. I'm truly sorry to hear you are having some challenges with sleeping and with pain.

I'm hoping others here in this discussion such as @pbarr @hopeful33250 @jtes @gumbo will speak to your off time, the pain in your right thigh and throbbing throughout your body, and the symptoms of dyskinesia.

cmccarthy1115, will you share more about the "off time" you mentioned?

Ask Mayo about Botox injections for your thigh pain. My husband gets them every 3 months and they make a big difference in toe curling and muscle rigidity. Best of luck with your appointment, Catherine.

Hello @cmccarthy1115,

I want to join @lisalucier in welcoming you to the PD support group on Mayo Connect. I see that you are interested in discussing the patch with others. Here is a link to a discussion thread where the patch is discussed: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neupro-patch/?pg=1#chv4-comment-stream-header. Here you will meet members like @mariemarie who has used the patch,

As you only mention the medicine you are taking, I'm wondering what other therapies you have tried. For instance, have you had physical therapy? Do you exercise regularly? I realize how difficult it is to exercise when you have pain and stiffness; however, exercise can help with these symptoms. Here is a link to an article (from the Parkinson's Foundation) that discusses the value of exercise in relieving the motor and cognitive symptoms of Parkinson's: https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/exercise

Have you been referred to a physical therapist yet?

Thank you I will investigate the Botox injections.