I have Dementia with Lewy Bodies, which is a PD sort of diagnosis that emphasizes the cognitive problems over the physical problems. I was in a high-tech job (i.e., computer programmer). I just couldn't do that work anymore so I retired at the age of 57. I don't miss the work but I do sort of miss the social aspects of having a job.

If you haven't been diagnosed yet, it's a good idea to check your insurance. I had a policy that replaces my income and pays my retirement to the age of 65. I'm really glad I had that policy.

What folks say about stress is definitely true. You need some, but too much can make you miserable. Stress is hard to define, but you sure know it when you feel it.

I don't think I read anyone mention having a positive attitude. Don't give up or give in or even start to think that you are no longer in control of your life. Keep finding ways to enjoy life. Try to live your life to the fullest extent possible. You have to define that for yourself.


My medication list:
Excelon (rivastigmine) for cognition
Cerefolin NAC for cognition
Sinemet (levodopa/carbidopa) for movement
Requip (ropinerole) for movement
Melatonin for sleep

K. Ibsen- When you started the Exelon, did you notice a difference- that it was helping? Do you use the patch? I just started it recently.

Chicory

Just reading this thread -- Aricept did not work for my dad and his alzheimer's. And he had bad side effects (diahrrea, bad temper)

Sigh!

The dept of neurology at the University of Florida offers an Online Cognitive Screening Test which measures Verbal Memory and Executive Functioning and is easy to take. Maybe this could offer some insight. You will have to google it, since I don't have enough postings to paste urls

I just want to echo and emphasize what every other poster in this thread has said about the role of stress in exacerbating symptoms - physical and mental. Reducing stress, I'm convinced, is the number one thing I've done to improve my health and impact of PD on my life.

No easy or generic ways to do that; stressors are different for everyone. But identify and deal with them. Sometimes you have to be selfish; sometimes you have to be hard on yourself; can be difficult, but worth the effort.

John, I have begun to forget so much that it scares me too. I can start a sentence and by the end of the sentence I have forgotten what I was talking about to begin with and can't finish the sentence. It is scarey, but then you already know this.

For example: On January 2, 2009, I was cooking at my daughter's and needed a potholder. Now I know my daughter's kitchen, but that day I couldn't find anything. It was like I had never been in that kitchen before. When I needed that potholder, I stood in the middle of the kitchen, with my daughter watching me saying, I need a ?, I need a ?. It was five minutes before I could remember the simple word "potholer."

The only suggestion I can make is this that you may want to consider at some point in time: During 2008 I began to have serious thinking problems and I became very poor with handling my finances, which aren't much to begin with. By summer I was getting desperate, I wasn't able to correctly pay my bills, and my car payment became a serious problem. I was told about Mental Health America's Designated Payee program. I applied for the program and now my bills are paid by someone else using my money. It has been a God-send for me. It is a relief to have this problem, which I can no long do on my own, in someones reliable hands. I can't afford a bookkeeper and MHA is free...no fee!!

I can relate to the problems you have learning and playing music. Yes, stress makes things worse, but if I am performing, there will be some stress. I don't perform any place fancy- just recitals with my students and I play in a coffee shop once a month for tips. If I try to play anything from memory, my mind will go blank at some point, so I always play from music. Even with music, my mind will go blank at times and I feel like I am sight reading. At least with the music I can sight read which is better than nothing.

My neuro recently prescribed Exelon for me. I have been having a big problem with getting lost. If traffic is backed up and I try to take an alternative route, I always turn the wrong way. I told my neuro that I hope the Exelon will help me make fewer mistakes when I play guitar. Here is his reply from an e-mail:

"There may be other medications that can help your memory. We should give exelon a chance first. Some patients with memory problems can improve by playing memory games, learning a new language, etc., This is a typical stragegy we use that be effective however, I think your guitar playing and teaching is doing the same thing. That being said, I do have patients with neurologic disorders functioning at very high professional levels and they will still report benefit from the "mind Games" they play on a computer. If you are interested and can't find any on your own would be happy to contact some of these people and find out which programs they prefer."

Aricept is being RX'ed for PD now.

It might be something to check into. It was amazing for my dad.