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Nerves & brain
Parkinson's disease
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Discovery :
Early symptoms
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Treatment :
Levodopa
Dopamine receptor agonists
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Parkinson's symptoms :
Tremor, loss of control
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Embarrassing symptoms
Mental disturbances
Living with Parkinson's disease :
Redefining yourself
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Parkinson's disease
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Nerves & brain
>>
Parkinson's disease
>>
2 years or under
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Steve - Interview 05
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Steve ignored several symptoms till his running speed suddenly plummeted. His wife and running colleagues had realised something was wrong before he a
Diagnosed in 2004, Steve takes Pramipexole. He has tremor in his right arm. He is a member of a running club and trains most days.
Nerves & brain
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Parkinson's disease
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8-12 years
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Natalia - Interview 18
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Natalia had difficulty persuading her GP that her symptoms were not just delayed reaction to the loss of her husband some years before.
Diagnosed in 1999, Natalia takes Madopar and Mirapexin but has times during the day when she feels weak, and has difficulty standing and understanding and participating in conversations.
Nerves & brain
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Parkinson's disease
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Carers
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Anna - Interview 29
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Anna had been concerned at Rafa’s apparent lack of responsiveness as well as other symptoms which she had noticed but not been able to explain.
Her partner was diagnosed with PD 18 months ago. So far he doesn’t need medication and they have told very few people about the diagnosis
Nerves & brain
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Parkinson's disease
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3-4 years
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Keith - Interview 14
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Keith’s initial symptoms were put down to thyroid disease and he developed many more before an accurate diagnosis was reached.
Keith’s symptoms have progressed slowly since he was diagnosed in 2004. His symptoms are tremor in his left hand, slowness and fatique. He is currently taking Madopar.
Nerves & brain
>>
Parkinson's disease
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8-12 years
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Sharon - Interview 31
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Sharon described the symptoms which gradually added up till she knew she had to look for a diagnosis.
Forced by her Parkinsons symptoms to retire from a career she loved as a teacher Sharon turned things round by becoming a business woman creating the very successful Cake Bake Company.
Nerves & brain
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Parkinson's disease
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5-7 years
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David - Interview 43
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Others had noticed David’s shuffling long before his Parkinson’s disease was diagnosed.
When David was diagnosed with PD he was put on Requip (ropinirole). When he realized that he had a problem with hypersexuality he was changed onto Mirapaxin. He then got disastrously involved in gambling. Now he no longer takes dopamine agonists and no longer experiences any compulsive tendencies.
Nerves & brain
>>
Parkinson's disease
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3-4 years
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Humphrey - Interview 01
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Humphrey began to realise that his symptoms probably added up to something significant and searched on the internet for an explanation.
Humphrey was able to continue working as a writer, broadcaster and musician after he was diagnosed. Although his Parkinson’s was progressing fairly quickly he maintained a resolutely positive attitude, trying to solve each problem as it presented itself, such as voice recognition software when typing became difficult. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 2005.
Nerves & brain
>>
Parkinson's disease
>>
5-7 years
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Fiona and John - Interview 09
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Fiona’s husband had already mentioned having difficulty controlling his arm when washing his hair. She then noticed one arm didn’t swing when he walke
Fiona’s husband was diagnosed in 2003 at the age of 42 with early onset Parkinson’s Disease. He has continued to work full time.
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