I was your age when first diagnosed. My symptoms were minimal and, at first, my diagnoses ranged from pinched nerve in my neck and shoulder to carpal-tunnel syndrome. My first neuro originally diagnosed CPS upon first examination before changing his mind to PD. Only after consulting with an MDS was I "officially", in my mind, diagnosed with PD. My first response? To go home and read anything I could about PD and how it would change my life and world.
Well, you know, it's like just about anything else. It will change EVERYTHING in your life/world if you allow it. It will change LITTLE in your life IF you approach it head on with all that you have and work with your doc, your family, your friends, et al to find solutions to any and all challenges you might face as a PWP.
Chances are that all of us with this "distraction" in our lives will still lead long and relatively healthy lives. Something else will probably kill us. AS YOPWP's we know that PD is NOT a death sentence. We adjust to each new syptom and move on. Why let it take us over when we are given tools, meds/exercise/yoga/massage/PWP friends/God/, to help us control this disease as much as possible.
Best of luck to you on June 30. Know that your life is NOT over...you've just come across a big hurdle that you have to find a way to jump over.
Many here, and elsewhere, will help you when needed.

Take care,
Bill

You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I know this process is not easy, but my prayer for you is that it will all work out. We are here for you to support and encourage in any way we can. Ditto to all that Bill said...my sentiments exactly!

Peace,
Mihai

Last Edited on 18-Jun-2009 4:10 PM

It was exactly five years ago at this time, mid-June, that I went through the barrage of tests (brain scan, blood work, eye exam), so I was in limbo until late July of that year: the second visit with my neurologist.

Yes, it's been a bloody curse, but because of PD, the last year and a half has also been the best of my life-- teeth-rattling tremors aside.

I'm not much younger than you are, so I can relate to that "fish out of water" experience with your local society.

All the best.

If you don't mind me asking how old r u? I went to this year end thing at the parkinson's society yesterday and I am at least 30 years younger than everyone else there. Do you still work?

I went through the same feelings you expressed in your post. My symptoms (noticeable symptoms) began a couple of years ago. After numerous tests and doctors, my MDS dx me with pd. Because of my young age (34 at the time) he referred me to a MDS at Mayo. It took me approximately 5 months to get into Mayo. I had 5 months to "prepare" myself for the diagnosis. My wonderful, supportive husband went to the appointment with me. When the Mayo MDS said "you have pd", you could have knocked me over with a feather. Despite the "prep" time, deep down I just knew (and hoped) it was not pd. I started the meds and felt improvement. However, I was still in denial. So much so that I unilaterally adjusted my meds (which I do not recommend). After all, how does a otherwise healthy 34 yr old accept a dx of a disease that everyone thinks only affects the elderly? I will not bore you with any more details, but it took me over a year to accept the diagnosis. The journey has not been easy, but it is a lot better with my supportive family, prayer, and this message board. I have been reading posts on this message board for over a year, but only recently started posting (now that I have accepted the dx). This message board helped me realize that despite my young age, I am NOT alone. I still work, take care of my family, exercise, etc. I try to live my life as I did before the dx, I just need the help of Sinemet. I share Bill's thoughts on this too. Do not let pd define you. Good luck on June 30.

Best regards,
Tonya

This might sound glum, but keep in mind this is a snippet of a long journey: I lost my job, I'm currently on disability, but I'm back in university-- which means I now have some goals and a purpose to get up every day. Even if school ends in a disaster, at least I took a chance, at least I tried.

For me depression was a huge factor also. In retrospect, it started a couple months after high school, and it wasn't under control until a year and a half ago. I don't fault my doctors for the length of time it took to treat the depression, since it can be a bugger to treat.

Tonya, I'm glad your husband is supportive, and Shakes, I hope your wife is too.

Even though it's been almost five years, at times it still doesn't feel like it's happening to me-- that this can't be real despite the obvious. I'll literally stand in front of the mirror while in the throws of a violent, teeth-rattling tremor, and just stare. "Yup, this is really happening to me."

Despite these silly, stupid reality checks, it has been a process to not let it define me. On some days it's just a tool/a chisel to my character. On other days it seems like it's a part of the sculpture of my life-- my identity. All the best on the 30th.

Cheers,
Matt

Thanks for your reply. I use to be a powerlineman, but last august when the tremor's began work told me to go to a doctor. So I went to one doctor. She looked at me for two seconds gave me beta blockers and said it was just an allergic reaction to the anti-depressant I was on. So I left that doctor went to work and told them that I was going to go to my family doctor. He told me that I shouldn't take the betablockers cause they would not help. He then go me into a nero. The nero ordered an MRI, EEG all of which came back normal. The nero said it was all in my head. Since that time my symptoms have gained momentum. I personally find it hard because now I stay home and my wife goes to work. The real hard part the emotional stuff, I can live with the tremors, but the cramps and mood swings are driving me up the wall. Somedays I'm so depressed and the cramps are so bad that it is a battle to get myself out of bed.

J.P.

EMD

Welcome! Your not alone...I was 31 when I first noticed an action tremor in my right hand. It's 10 years later, and I just now started using meds. I'm so glad you respond well to the Sinemet! Isn't it great to feel like "yourself" again most of the time? From what I understand, the lack of dopamine we have in PD also makes us more prone to depression; the Sinemet should help you out with that. Whenever I get down about having this illness, I always remind myself that at least we have tools to manage it- it could always be worse :) Being hopeful and optimistic helps a great deal too!

Last Edited on 3-Jul-2009 10:00 AM

Oh, and this message board was a god-send for us. He too is the youngest in our area (near Pittsburgh) that we know with PD, although I'm sure there are others out there. He's 49 now but used to be younger! :) This board has really become part of our community even though it is "virtual". A couple of years ago we were able to go to one of the YOPN conferences and there we met a few of the folks that post here. Perhaps you will be able to attend one of them in the future. That was also a good experience for us - not only to see and be around people like us but we learned some really helpful things at the seminars they offered. I hope we'll be able to go to another in the future.

Happy 4th!

Glad you are feeling better after your appt. and beginning initial treatment. Hope all continues to go well for you. Keep in touch with the group here . It is a great resource for support.

Best of health to you

EMD