 |
 |
Hello Susan A., Its eerie when you meet someone on the list who in many ways mirrors one's own predicament. My name is Terry Brennan. I live in suburban Washington D.C. (Maryland to be exact) and I too am 39 years young. I was diagnosed at 30, but after learning about the symptoms of this disease I can clearly say that I had cog-wheel rigidity, stiffness and mucle rigidity at 22. Long time friends pointed out a limp at that time also. Doctors were of no help until I developed the tremor (even then most insisted that I was either too young or had the DT's). My name is Susan A., from Dallas Tx area. I'm new to the area, just been here 6 mos. But I'm not new to the treatment of PD. I was diagnosed with PD when I was 25, had symptoms for a year before that. I am now 39, so going on 15 years with this. In the years since I was diagnosed I have had 2 girls ages 8 and 11yrs., I too, have two children. A daughter, 10 and a son who just turned 6. Early on, I was most concerned about how my disease would affect them. I am fortunate (if one can have PD and be 'fortunate') in that, so far, my symptoms have not progressed very rapidly. Since diagnosis, they have become bilateral. I had brain surgery about 8 years ago on the Thalamus (spelling?), which did wonders . Right now I am currently taking Carbidopa/levodopa 25/100, permax, eldepryl. I do have periods of up and down with the meds, but overall doing good. I believe in exercise and have recently added a masters swimming course to jogging, yard work and having two young kids to keep me busy. I have recently started exercising on a regular basis (every morning), this has made a big difference in the way I feel.... My muscles can get rigid if I do not exercise, so I can make a difference here. I try to keep very active, and keep a positive outlook on all of this. I really your attitude can make you or break you when dealing with PD. And of course the sense of humor has got to be there. I think the funniest thing I have heard is one day I over heard one of my girls explaining why Mommies hand shakes, they said they really didn't understand it totally, but they did know that there Mom could make one heck of a milkshake. Aren't kids great! Mine really keep me going and are an effective cure for the 'blues.' Some days I do feel alone with my age and PD, would very much like to know that there are some one else about the same age as I trying trying to deal with this and raise small kids. Feel free to write to me 'off list'. Terry Brennan [log in to unmask] or twinpeak I @aol.com