For Me:
DX at 45, symptoms for many years with a few mis-Dx's including its all in my head.

It seems that more and more people are getting PD at a younger age. I would wonder if there is any supporting data?

Hang in there. I can still remember how the world spun when my doctor told me, YOU HAVE PARKINSONS. Unfortunately, my father had had this disease so I knew exactly where I was headed.

It is a crappy disease...but look around. Everyday I see someone in the world and think to myself, I have Parkinsons but I don't have that !

I believe the average age of diagnosis is about 57.

I am also 45. Diagnosed in September 2007.

Take it a step (or two) at a time.

I have hooked up with a couple of folks that have it. I have read up on the subject. Taking my meds. Exercising a bit more.

Try the chat room here. Penny and John are very nice.

Progression varies but mine has been slow. If you are lucky like me, I want to warn you that osteoporosis is one possible complication associated with PD- I was Dx'd last week after a DEXA scan, and suspect that four years ago, my lumbar spine fusion failed because I already had bone weakness. All the more reason to avoid falling and stay active!

Jim

Jeff

We all become hyper aware of our bodies. This site is wonderful because we ALL are in that same little boat. We understand eachother and encourage eachother and share our knowledge.

I was 49 when dxd and this was the first support group I came to. Not only did I find friends here that understood me. I found friends that will remain in my heart for the rest of my life.

I am now 55 and although I no longer work, I am active and productive. Johnnie and Penny are close friends and I will always remember how Johnnie made me feel welcome and comfortable in this Chat room.

We all have challenges ahead of us, but with the support and caring friends of YOPA we can deal with whatever is thrown at us.

Gee I am mushy, must be left over from Valentines.

Luckily I was able to change jobs to get a better LTD insurance. Ironically my previous employer was a non-unionized hospital with poor benefits. Now I work for a big technology company.

I wonder how often PD leads to divorce.

Heavy topic, but one that is very real...

It has definitely had an impact on both my work and personal relationships; as I have refocused my art to what really matters to me and remove any relationships that overall all, just drain me.

Good subject for a new thread, and how we are dealing with it, both as those with YOPD and their significant others.

I've met alot of wonderful people through YOPA. Mary Alice (see post above) and her husband Ron are very close friends to Johnnie and I. PD has been in my life since I was a kid. At first, it's a gut wrenching change of life... but life does go on. And life with PD can be good. It' been very good for Johnnie and I (married since 10/05).

Don't let PD steal your life. Live your life now, while you have the chance. Tell the people you love that you DO love them. Have dessert first. PD is a disease you live with, not die from.

attempt #2, Puddles my kitty made me press the wrong button so I lost the first post lol :)

recap, I just got back from mayo today in which they confirmed that yes I do have young onset, I'm 33 now, I was first dx'ed at 30 but had suffered with sympton way earlier....so I just feeling like babbling I just feel sappy & sad, today seemed so real so much more real the the first time, I cryed in the doc office. I was totally an emotional wreck for some reason, was it because the mayo clinic told me or was it because I spent the night (long drive there) at my ex'es house. which brings me to say i wanna live, i want a family, maybe kids (I have Puddles, but the furry kids can't do all the fun stuff) i want to travel the world, I want to do the outdoories stuff I enjoy, just be happy like everyone and not be looked at or treated like a freak.
so in my vent, thanks for listening :)

I'm giving PennyT a huge Hi5, because i think it is true and super important that we all do as says..

"Don't let PD steal your life. Live your life now, while you have the chance. Tell the people you love that you DO love them. Have dessert first. PD is a disease you live with, not die from"

I needed that so much today, as much as I need a hug :)

My father was very similar in his age of onset, although he didn't get diagnosed until he was in his late 30s.

The other family members we know of (already deceased) seem to have become immobile by the time they were in their 30s/40s, which points to an early onset for them, as well.

I wonder how often PD leads to divorce.

Heavy topic, but one that is very real...

It has definitely had an impact on both my work and personal relationships; as I have refocused my art to what really matters to me and remove any relationships that overall all, just drain me.

Good subject for a new thread, and how we are dealing with it, both as those with YOPD and their significant others.

all the best,
Troy "

START A NEW THREAD ON THIS!!! I bet PD has a definite effect on a lot of marriages. How many of us have had our intimate lives affected, if nothing else? How about finances? Energy levels? Depression? What about disagreements on seeing doctors, or treatment options? Or the inability of one spouse to take the disease seriously (either the PWP or their partner)?

I have worked as a Paramedic for almost 4 years. I see PD patients all the time and when I inform them that I also have the disease they just start at me and say "but your so young".

My initial symptoms were trouble with my right hand trembeling when feeding myself and difficulity writing. Then my right hand started feeling ice cold all the time and aching. Now I'm slowly becomming a left handed gal.

Thank's for letting me vent I really needed it!

Goodnight

I am 43 yrs old. I had the symptoms of PD long before my diagnosis 8 1/2 yrs ago.... I live in Ks, there were several Physican's and Neurologists that for many yrs prior to my diagnosis thought I had PD and even stated so, but dismissed it because I was 'too young'. I thank God every day for sending me the first Neurologist (went on to Harvard - miss him) that did not dismiss my age as too young. I had tremors in my 20's but was dismissed...

There are many of us here within your age range. Too many. But together we will get thru this and fight it:).