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Cecil, my PD became well defined at the age of 36 but went misdiagnosed for the next six years. I was a pharmacist which was very stressful. After being diagnosed at the age of 42, I continued to work for another 3 years. I was then 45. I am now 59 and still going strong. I am involved. I give about 60 talks on PD every year. Work as long as you can and, after you do retire, don't quit. Remember this...winners don't quit and quitters don't win. Believe in yourself, and, if you are married, don't think of your wife as your caregiver. Think of her as your partner...your PRECIOUS PARKINSON PARTNER. Do thing together starting right now because today is the first day of the rest o your life. Start it off right. Dave Purdy Cecil Barnes wrote: > Hello everyone. I'm 54 years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson's about > four months ago. I imagine I've had it at least a couple of years. Really > noticeable symptoms started occurring about a year ago. I'm probably asking > the impossible, but I'd like you to help me make a decision regarding > retirement. Do you think I will be able to work for another five years? > How long typically does it take before someone with Parkinson's gets to the > point where they do not feel comfortable going to work and being around > other people? If I retire on disability, my retirement check will be > considerably higher. But I can't retire on disability unless my doctor > completes a form stating that my condition is such that I am unable to do my > job. I have a manager's job that doesn't require much physical exertion. > > Under a special program just passed by the state legislature, I can retire > now (based on number of years worked) but continue to work for up to five > years while my retirement check is placed in an escrow account. It's a > great opportunity that I would like to take advantage of because I would > still receive my regular monthly salary also. But once I sign the form, the > amount of my retirement check is locked in. If I become disabled one year > from now, I could not then retire on disability because I would already be > "retired." I would have to quit my job and just receive my regular > retirement check, which would be much less than if I had retired on > disability. My doctor says that I will be in better shape in 20 years than > I am now. I'm sure he is just trying to be optimistic. From what I've > read, some people with Parkinson's start having considerable difficulty > after only a few years. The medication has helped some of my symptoms but > I'm still experiencing rigidity in my left leg. The medication works for > about three hours, but wears off about an hour before my next pills are > due. > > I realize Parkinson's is very different from one person to the next, and > that there is really no way to predict how quickly my condition will > progress. But any insight you can provide would be appreciated. > > Cecil Barnes