Publication date: 15th December 2008 Last updated: December 2010
Review date: December 2012
Many people would tell you that their idea of someone with Parkinson’s disease is of someone bent over, shuffling, with shaking hands with very slow barely audible speech. We interviewed over 40 people with Parkinson’s disease from all over the UK, young and old, some having received their diagnosis as long as twenty years ago others more recently, some in the last couple of years. Some developed the illness at a young age, others in their mid fifties and later. Some were badly affected while others had deteriorated very little since the original diagnosis. But what was striking was that except in a very few cases the medication was working for them most of the time. And when it was working, many of these ‘sufferers’ might not actually be noticed as having any disorder by anyone not familiar with the disease. This is not to say that there is any medication which can cure Parkinson’s disease. Most people were on a cocktail of different drugs, each with their own advantages and disadvantages in order to control their symptoms.
People with Parkinson’s are sometimes desperate for others to understand what it is like to be them. We hope that this website will be able to fulfil this wish.
Publication date: 15th December 2008 Last updated: December 2010
Review date: December 2012
Many people would tell you that their idea of someone with Parkinson’s disease is of someone bent over, shuffling, with shaking hands with very slow barely audible speech. We interviewed over 40 people with Parkinson’s disease from all over the UK, young and old, some having received their diagnosis as long as twenty years ago others more recently, some in the last couple of years. Some developed the illness at a young age, others in their mid fifties and later. Some were badly affected while others had deteriorated very little since the original diagnosis. But what was striking was that except in a very few cases the medication was working for them most of the time. And when it was working, many of these ‘sufferers’ might not actually be noticed as having any disorder by anyone not familiar with the disease. This is not to say that there is any medication which can cure Parkinson’s disease. Most people were on a cocktail of different drugs, each with their own advantages and disadvantages in order to control their symptoms.
People with Parkinson’s are sometimes desperate for others to understand what it is like to be them. We hope that this website will be able to fulfil this wish.
Tremor, loss of control
Tremor, loss of control
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.
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.
Ruth was diagnosed 9 years ago. She has tremor, stiffness, difficulty sleeping and tiredness. She has to pace herself. Some days are easier to cope with than others.
Mari describes what it’s like seeing and, herself, dealing with the symptoms of her husband’s Parkinson’s Disease.
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.
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.
Publication date: 15th December 2008 Last updated: December 2010
Review date: December 2012
Many people would tell you that their idea of someone with Parkinson’s disease is of someone bent over, shuffling, with shaking hands with very slow barely audible speech. We interviewed over 40 people with Parkinson’s disease from all over the UK, young and old, some having received their diagnosis as long as twenty years ago others more recently, some in the last couple of years. Some developed the illness at a young age, others in their mid fifties and later. Some were badly affected while others had deteriorated very little since the original diagnosis. But what was striking was that except in a very few cases the medication was working for them most of the time. And when it was working, many of these ‘sufferers’ might not actually be noticed as having any disorder by anyone not familiar with the disease. This is not to say that there is any medication which can cure Parkinson’s disease. Most people were on a cocktail of different drugs, each with their own advantages and disadvantages in order to control their symptoms.
People with Parkinson’s are sometimes desperate for others to understand what it is like to be them. We hope that this website will be able to fulfil this wish.
Publication date: 15th December 2008 Last updated: December 2010
Review date: December 2012
Many people would tell you that their idea of someone with Parkinson’s disease is of someone bent over, shuffling, with shaking hands with very slow barely audible speech. We interviewed over 40 people with Parkinson’s disease from all over the UK, young and old, some having received their diagnosis as long as twenty years ago others more recently, some in the last couple of years. Some developed the illness at a young age, others in their mid fifties and later. Some were badly affected while others had deteriorated very little since the original diagnosis. But what was striking was that except in a very few cases the medication was working for them most of the time. And when it was working, many of these ‘sufferers’ might not actually be noticed as having any disorder by anyone not familiar with the disease. This is not to say that there is any medication which can cure Parkinson’s disease. Most people were on a cocktail of different drugs, each with their own advantages and disadvantages in order to control their symptoms.
People with Parkinson’s are sometimes desperate for others to understand what it is like to be them. We hope that this website will be able to fulfil this wish.
