Hello--This is quite new to me, I have never given any information to people I dont know personally, but this forum was recommended to me by a close friend. She advised -- since I work full time and really dont have time to seek out support groups that maybe I could find someone out there going through what I am--actually, not me, my husband is the one that was diagnosed with Parkinsons this past November. This threw the both of us for a loop. He is 60--fully retired from one job he had for 30 years and is working at another. (he really doesnt have to work, but he thinks he does--it's a guy thing.) Anyway, for quite sometime, several months, I was noticing him walking just a little funny. He every now and then "missed" a step. (I'm going to try and keep this short) He then started complaining about this shoulder (rt) being painful and stiff. Wasnt too long after that, numbness down the arm and into his hand. He said lately that his handwriting was "chicken scratch" that even he could not read it--and let me tell you what--this is one man who has always had beautiful handwriting. But the kicker of everything was his speech patterns, drooling, and lack of concentration, and the way he always held his arm and hand, like it was broken and was in constant pain. Made an appnt with the Doc--he sent him for an MRI w/o and it came back ok. Then he sent him to a neurologist and bingo--THE diagnosis. He has been on Mirapex, with increased dosage with each appointment. He is good about taking his meds. Has a good attitute and is fighting with just about all he's got. Is trying to stay active. He works full time. Has a big garden out again this year, is taking care of the yard nicely (we have a couple of acres), but when he has no activity in his body, HE FALLS ASLEEP!!! It's not that he dozes and takes a nap, but rather when he sits down, it's like you flip a switch and he's gone. It's not now and again--it's all the time. Is this the Parkinsons?? or Mirapex?? He also has been having trouble with pain in his lower back--nothing wrong with his renals--would this be the disease or meds? The Mirapex seems to be doing so well for his symptoms (the tremors, memory, numbness, shoulder and arm pain--cant say a whole lot for the drooling , but we're working on it)
I'm trying hard to learn about this disease, it's nutty! But then, am thankful it was not a stroke as I had originally thought. Is there anyone out there experiencing the same things? I sure would like to hear. Thanx