Hi Doc John,
Most of the team have given you an idea of what may be expected, bearing in mind the small sample size and the large differences we find from person to person. However, it is he;pful to know the case histories of a number of PWP's, particularly if they are similar in some respects.
That is why I thought I would reply with my experience for what it is worth, but remember we are all different. Your Dad is 70, I am 71.
I was diagnosed 16 years ago, by a tremor on one side and cogwheel rigidity, (turning the patients arm in circles, while he is relaxed, and feeling for "clicks" of rigidity). I was told the honeymoon period (when if medicated, no-one but the patient would know he had PD), was 5 years. This was slightly longer for me, but I kept my job for those 5 years, although I made no secret of the fact that I had PD. The next 5 years I very slowly developed a limp in one leg, and found that my symptoms changed over the years. My tremor went, but I had problems turning in bed, getting out of low chairs etc. However, properly medicated, I could follow my normal lifestyle, doing my own house maintenance and keeping a half acre garden looking good.
I retired at the 5 year mark, and for the next 10 years (up to 15 years since diagnosis,) I travelled a lot, to many parts of the globe. The years from 10 to 15 since diagnosis saw a very slow further decline. My walking got worse, my balance got worse, and in the years 15 and 16, I have had a number of serious falls. I think my long distance travel is over now, but I have had a ball.
I believe I have slowed progression somewhat by keeping active, (exercise is definitely good), studying the disease and taking supplements like curcumin and CPD choline, taking each day as it comes, and being determined to enjoy it, (I have not suffered depression).
I have got into trouble in the past in replying to this subject, since if you are too pessimistic, you are accused of frightening newly diagnosed people, and make light of the disease and you are not correctly reporting or exagerating your progress. I can only tell my story as it happened, truthfully, since I take a pride in showing what can be achieved despite PD, and try to avoid complaining about it. When I was first diagnosed, I sought in vain to find this sort of information, since I wanted to organise my time while I had a reasonable quality of life. It would not have upset me, but there was a marked reluctance to discuss a "typical progresion", since we are indeed all different.
Hope this helps
Best wishes
Ron

Some time ago I had the good fortune to spend a couple of weeks with Ron and, in reading his reply, realized I was in an unusual position - that of being a parkie who had extensively observed a fellow parkie for an extended period. I tried to think of just what I might have noted in my observations had I been a scientist studying the wild parkie in his native habitat. Particularly, I tried to think of anything that made him different than another man on the streets of Kent.

I had a hard time but eventually it came to me that he, myself, and many others on this forum exhibit an attitude of (sometimes) grim determination to beat this disease. That may give you a clue as to predicting your father's progression. It may also be more difficult for an older PwP to maintain that attitude. But I believe it is worth cultivating it

Thank you all for your responses, especially the long ones. I realized in asking the question everybody's experiences would be different. In reading different people's experiences, however, it does give me some idea of what to expect in the next 10 years.

Just to clarify, my dad is being seen by a specialist (and has been) and has a wife who looks after and cares for him very much. He also knows he is loved by his sons, family and friends, so he does have a lot of active support in his life. He regularly exercises still, and tries to keep active no matter what. He also keeps a positive attitude most days. I live far away from him, so only get to see him a few times a year, but I do try and email and call as often as I can. We also IM sometimes.

His docs, of course, have given him the options, but I wanted to hear from others who actually live with this every day of their lives for a "second opinion," if you will. When a loved one is facing something like this, you just want to ensure they have all the options available to them before they make treatment decisions.

Thanks again,
John

Hi John,
My dad is 75 and has had PD since 1997, his seems to be a slow progression. Basically he had the foot drag, hand /arm shakes, small freezes, most not very noticeable unless he gets stressed or fatigued.

He takes carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet), and just started Mirapex last spring - for him it is working wonders.
But for some the side effects are very troublesome.

That's just about the neatest signature line I've ever seen.....!

paula

Thanks Ron for your remarkable achievements .

According to the New York Times "Parkinson's Disease In-Depth Report," there are some generalizations that can be made about progression based on the type of PD and time of onset. The full report is available at http://tinyurl.com/yvr9yu

Genetic Early Onset PD (where people are identified as having the parkin gene) "tends to progress slowly and respond well to treatment, even after years of symptoms. Dementia is also rare with this form." "The parkin gene may be the cause of many cases of early-onset Parkinson's in young adults."

"In younger patients tremor is usually predominant and often suggests a less aggressive form of the disease."

"If PD starts without signs of tremor it is likely to be more severe than if tremor had been present. Having other family members with PD does not appear to have any effect on the severity of the disease."

"Treatment advances are increasingly effective in alleviating symptoms and even slowing progression of the disease. Taking many of the medications over time, however, can produce significant side effects. Newer drugs may help reduce these occurrences."

"Disturbed gait and unstable posture are common and serious problems in elderly patients, since they increase risk of falling and injury. Some studies have suggested that the appearance of these symptoms early in the course of the disease predict a faster decline than having tremor as the predominant symptom."

"Early treatment may help slow progression, so an early diagnosis of Parkinson's is highly desirable. Early symptoms are often mild, however, so Parkinson's disease can be missed, particularly in young adults."

In many patients, levodopa significantly improves the quality of life for many years." "To reduce the effects of fluctuation and the wearing-off effect, it is important to maintain as consistent a level of dopamine as possible."

"Exercise is essential for well-being and helps patients maintain productive years."

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Like Ron, I've learned not to comment about myself and my positive attitude because I will be accused of being a pollyanna. But attitude and being proactive (for me, that means exercise and massage therapy and strict adherence to a medication schedule) can make a difference. Just as we are all different with regard to symptoms and progression, we are also all different in our approach to treatment and coping with the disease. Best wishes to your father, Doc John. It sounds like he is doing well.

early onset is different to "more typical" (not his words) PD, with early onset characterised by tremor dominant, meds responsive, dyskinesia likely, dementia unlikely and less aggressive progress.

He believes early onset and atypical PD are different diseases.

No help to you DocJohn but supporting the theory of each person's PD is unique.

Neil.

p.s. Hey Ron, bet it feels strange to have periods of your life described as "achievements". I know this comment was meant in the nicest possible way, however it seems at some points in our PD life there is no choice or alternative other than to "get on with it", whether this is an achievement or not is open to debate. Hope this makes sense in a weird sort of way.

English is not my native language, however I quote the Webster Dictionary for the meaninng of "achieve" which is "to carry out successfully".
I think Ron more then deserve it. His story has certainly inspired me.

I'ts very interesting when people just speak their minds.

I really like talking with those from the UK and New Zealand.

What are you called as a group? " Brits "? (Uk) or just "from the UK"?

And Howard is self-contained as a New Zealander?

Truly don't know

paula