Rosebud posted the note below in another thread that made me think about several things-
I know two people my own age who were diagnosed about the same time I was eight years ago. One is a woman who is our local mayor. The other is a farmer. Both were/are friends of mine. Both are incapacitated. I have fared much better and wonder why. Some things are obvious to me - the mayor's job was extremely high stress, for example. The farmer's family is very conservative and eschewed even so much as a vitamin tablet.

But the differences between us are so dramatic that it is hard to believe it is that simple. Beverly is bedridden and Jim's cognitive state is almost Alzheimers. The only other factor I know of is Beverley's fondness for diet sodas.

Does anyone else have similar comparables to rate themselves with? Does it vary so much in your circle?

Whatever I can, and occasionally only what I want to. Yes we are all very different. I am an YO PDer and have had it for 10 years. Whaile its true that some of us get a lighter sentence than others, I have found that attitude and personality make a huge difference. The first support goup that I joined and still occasionally attend had extremes on both sides of the see-saw. There was one fellow who was total wreckage as far as I could tell, and that was more than 10 years ago now. He is still total wreckage, and as far as I can determine there is little to no change in his PD. He often scares newly diagnosed people and he was a bit of an "image" problem for the group. We all should do so well. On the other hand 3 others who were managing their PD well (or so it appeared) have died of their disease, or at least of directly related causes. So much for appearances....it means very little.

As most of you know I preach diary, journal; and recordkeeping to an obsessive level. I have learned the following things WRT my PD.
1. If I take sinemet between 11:00 PM (bedtime) and 7:00 am (rise time) my meds will not work as well the next day.
2. If I eat too much high GI food, or "goodies" I will have what I lovingly call "Sugar shakes" or an excellerated tremor for a day or two after.
3. If I get some exercise (treadmill:20 minutes) I will have a better day.
4. If I sit at the computer too long I will be stiffer and not sleep as well that night.
5. I must eat right AND at the right times or I will have to pay according to the laws of the PD universe for my carelessness. There is NO MERCY