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• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 8-12 years >> Natalia - Interview 18 >> 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 >> Parkinson's disease >> Carers >> Anna - Interview 29 >> 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 >> Parkinson's disease >> 5-7 years >> Rachel - Interview 39 >> Rachel feels she no longer knows how to do things that had once have been second nature.

Rachel was diagnosed 6 years ago when she was 70. She takes Madopar which allows her to function pretty normally. She is not sure whether things take longer to do is because of her age or because of her Parkinsons disease.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 3-4 years >> Gaynor - Interview 15 >> Gaynor tried to get someone to explain the problems she had when brushing her teeth and with her writing.

Gaynor was diagnosed 4 and half years ago. She takes Mirapexin. Fatigue, sleep disturbance and stiffness are the main symptoms she experiences.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> Carers >> Isabelle - Interview 42 >> Isabelle’s mother’s signature had changed so much the bank would not accept it.

Isabelle’s mother who had had PD for 12 years came to live with her in 2002. It was not always easy to care for her and for her own young children. After an admission to hospital they agreed to move her to a nearby nursing home. This has worked well for all of them.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 3-4 years >> Keith - Interview 14 >> 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 >> 8-12 years >> Sharon - Interview 31 >> 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 >> Parkinson's disease >> 5-7 years >> Karen - Interview 12 >> Karen describes various problems with movement which occur on ‘bad days’.

Karen was 34 when she first started having symptoms down the right side of her body. She experiences a lot of freezing and festination and some dyskinesia.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 8-12 years >> William - Interview 13 >> William has the strength but not the control when he is writing.

William has had Parkinson’s Disease for eight years. His symptoms are well controlled with medication. Mobility affects him the most and he recently noticed problems with speaking.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 3-4 years >> Humphrey - Interview 01 >> 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.