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Parkinson's disease
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Discovery :
Early symptoms
Path to diagnosis
Getting the diagnosis
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Causes of Parkinson’s disease
Treatment :
Levodopa
Dopamine receptor agonists
Managing medication
The operation: Deep Brain Stimulation
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Parkinson's symptoms :
Tremor, loss of control
Movement
Embarrassing symptoms
Mental disturbances
Living with Parkinson's disease :
Redefining yourself
Keeping going
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Parkinson’s UK and Parkinson’s disease nurses
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Parkinson's disease
Subject index
Clip
Nerves & brain
>>
Parkinson's disease
>>
5-7 years
>>
Rex - Interview 04
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Rex found something very reassuring about being with people who understood what PD was about.
Rex was diagnosed six years ago. His main symptom now is tremor in his right hand and he is still active and mobile.
Nerves & brain
>>
Parkinson's disease
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8-12 years
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Sharon - Interview 31
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Sharon had gone to a support group but decided that though she was normally quite sociable this was a nightmare.
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
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DBS
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Elisabet - Interview 08
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Elisabet was shocked to see people who had become dependent on someone else and preferred to remain in denial about her future.
Elisabet was diagnosed in 1990. In 2006, she had deep brain stimulation which was successful and has improved her symptoms considerably.
Nerves & brain
>>
Parkinson's disease
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3-4 years
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Keith - Interview 14
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Keith admits that part of his interest in other people with PD is to make comparisons with his own condition and to try predict how things will go for
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
>>
3-4 years
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Peter - Interview 11
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Peter describes why he became enthusiastic supporter of the local branch of the Parkinson’s disease society.
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
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Karen - Interview 12
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Karen gets support from being able to get together with other young people with Parkinson’s disease.
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
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Parkinson's disease
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2 years or under
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Penny - Interview 17
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Penny, diagnosed when she was 51, did not feel ready to see how Parkinson’s disease could affect someone of her age.
Although she was advised not to mention her newly diagnosed Parkinson’s disease when she had to change her job she has found that disclosure was necessary. As a divorced woman she can’t help worrying about who will care for her in future if her condition deteriorates.
Nerves & brain
>>
Parkinson's disease
>>
3-4 years
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Helen - Interview 40
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Helen, aged 40 finds support from a friend whose situation resembles hers but doesn't want to meet many other young people with PD.
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
>>
5-7 years
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Fiona and John - Interview 09
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Fiona and her husband had not wanted to join a group but he met someone on a charity stall and had such a useful conversation that he changed his mind
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.
Nerves & brain
>>
Parkinson's disease
>>
3-4 years
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Nicolas - Interview 23
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Nicolas made some contacts through the PDS and feels that you can learn more from other people with the illness than from anywhere else.
Diagnosed 4 years ago, Nicolas now takes a low dose of Mirapexin. He works full time. He experiences stiffness, tiredness and difficulties with walking and handwriting.
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