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• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> Over 12 years >> Tom - Interview 06 >> Tom realised it was more important to overcome the mental reaction to having Parkinson’s than to worry about what symptoms might eventually arise.

Tom was 27 when he was diagnosed. His medication includes levodopa. He experiences ‘on’ and ‘off’ periods most days. During the on period he may also have dyskinesia. He set up the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 5-7 years >> Bob - Interview 22 >> Bob has learnt to maintain a positive attitude because that way there is still so much he can do and enjoy.

Bob was 51 when he was diagnosed. He has tremor in his right hand and is slower at doing things. He continues to work full time.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 5-7 years >> Jean - Interview 33 >> Jean had been told several times that she had nothing wrong with her so her diagnosis came as a kind of vindication.

Jean had noticed jumping in one leg and general difficulty walking for at least two years before she was diagnosed with both Parkinsons Disease and ME, having at fist been told she had nothing wrong with her. To high doses of her medication resulted in her having hallucinations.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 8-12 years >> Judie - Interview 20 >> Be active and do what you can when you can.

Although having Parkinson’s meant that Judie had to give up work, she has found herself doing all sorts of adventurous things she might never have done otherwise.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 5-7 years >> Karen - Interview 12 >> Karen has learnt to accept the things she can’t do and ways round some of her difficulties.

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 >> Over 12 years >> Alan - Interview 03 >> Alan is determined to keep going, but admits that sometimes it’s a struggle.

Diagnosed in 1992, Alan can’t walk until he has taken his morning medication. He has ballroom dancing lessons once a week which keeps him fit and mobile.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 2 years or under >> Steve - Interview 05 >> As things get harder for him, Steve is determined to keep his connection with the club where he has been running for years.

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 >> Parkinson's disease >> 3-4 years >> Helen - Interview 40 >> Helen says that nothing on earth would persuade her to submit to DBS.

Helen was 33 when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. 6 years later her symptoms were well controlled and she was on Rotigotine patches she began secretly gambling on line. When she admitted this and was taken off the patches she quickly lost the urge to gamble.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 3-4 years >> Peter - Interview 11 >> Peter had at first been put off by seeing someone whose operation was unsuccessful but then saw a television programme which he found more encouraging

Peter was diagnosed six years ago. He experiences tremor, freezing and rigidity and considerable problems sleeping at night. He takes slow release Sinemet and Amitriptyline.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 5-7 years >> David - Interview 43 >> David explains what it feels like when people address his wife instead of to him when they reply to something he has said.

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 >> 5-7 years >> Karen - Interview 12 >> Karen accepts that depression goes with the disease but feels that the only way to come to terms with it is to accept it for what it is.

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 >> 2 years or under >> Ann - Interview 19 >> Ann came to adopt a very positive attitude to the diagnosis she had been given.

Diagnosed three years ago, Ann has tremor in her right hand. The first year after diagnosis was very difficult, but since taking Mirapexin, she feels more able to cope.