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At 09:33 PM 7/13/2011, you wrote: Hello Michele I was diagnosed at the age of 38 but symptoms started at 36. I was raising two boys 10 & 12 years and working. Went to several neurologists before I got the proper diagnosis. Luckily I saw a symposium on PD coming up in Los Angeles and went to that.. There I met two other people with young onset. To make a long story short, I founded the young Parkinson's support network which is now the National Young Parkinson Center. I am now 63 and am doing quite well. I watch my two grandchildren at least twice a week. I have been on the same medication for over 18 years. I have had to adjust several times however. My success was finding the right combination of drugs that work. There are many more out there than when I was diagnosed. You need to take time to see if they will be good for you. So glad you were able to see a movement disorder specialist. I also am glad you are reaching out for help. It is scary when you first read about it. But there is so much more help out there now. A good support group or contact to share with is also important. I sometimes get upset, or feel down, but I have tolerated the PD ways for many years. I have also met many wonderful people over the years while working as coordinator for APDA Young Parkinson Center. Contact Julie Sacks at www.youngparkinsons.org and they will send you information that will help you . Best of luck to you. Feel free to contact me if you like. Sincerely, Arlette Johnson >Hello. I hope I am doing this correctly or I even get responses. :) > >My name is Michele and I am 35 years-old, mother and wife from >Montana. I just got from my trip to University of Utah Hospital to >see my new movement disorders specialist. The words from them (after >3 trips to my local neurologist and needed help with a diagnosis of >a possible young-onset parkinson's) was this was not the death >sentence etc. etc. but won't right down the actual word parkinson's >for a year due to getting long term insurance later on. Never heard >that before but ok... They are starting me on new medication (I was >on Azilect but insurance won't cover it so had to stop) and have a >plan for medications if need added, etc. They will be working >one-on-one with my local neuro and will see her at least every 3 >months and go back to Salt Lake every year - unless needed sooner. I >also have direct email contact with them - which I love since I >don't have the best luck contacting my local neuro. > >All this is very scary for me and my family. So, here I am searching >out support. Already afraid to be seen in public and trying to be strong!! > >Michele > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] >In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn