18 months after diagnosis I'm learning how to live with PD.
 

It ain't easy.

I've been lurking in this forum off an on since my PCP got me in to see a neurologist in two days despite a four month waiting list for new patients in June 2012. My left arm had quit swinging when I walked about a year earlier, My left fingers were shaking and stiff. I had to type with one hand at work.

I had been a massage therapist and energy worker. Around the start of 2012, I noticed a quiver in my left hand when I did certain massage moves. I was quickly using my right arm and hand for 80% of my massage work.

June 2012, I start taking ropinirole. I became a slow walking, drooling zombie. I lurched into an orthopedic surgeon's office who found two torn tendons and some AC joint damage. Denial and false hope led me to taper off of the ropinirole, have the surgery and hopefully wake up tremor free the next day.

I woke up that October morning with my left hand rhythmically rocking to and fro.

My return to work lasted only 6 weeks before I was full blown zombie; shaking, lurching, drooling, leaving trails of urine on my pants.

I started levo/carbo, then azilect, then comtan, now staylevo sans azilect.

I'm driving again. Last month I moved to a one bedroom duplex, living independently for the first time in a year.

Today I accepted my landlady's offer to move two houses down the block and gain a massage treatment space and washer/dryer connections.

I've lined up a few men to test drive a massage from the new me.

DBS consultation May 21 at Washington U.

Pleased to introduce myself, wish I didn't have Parkinson's, but it is what it is.

Randypd,

Welcome to the forum. Don't be afraid to ask questions and, just as importantly, don't be afraid to state your point of view.

As you say, "It ain't easy" ... but, although my illness is progressing, as I've come to terms with the disease, I've got happier.

One thing that it is difficult for this forum to excel at is the social side of life. So, if you've not already done so, I'd look for a local support group.

John

Welcome Randy... I too am a massage therapist and it was kind of scarey when I started loosing the ability to actually feel muscles with my more effected left hand. The natural l-dopa tincture I make has brought back it's sense of feeling more, but it still does not respond the same as my right hand which does most of the work (but it tries to help...all I can ask and people don't seem to mind) If I didn't work on myself though, I would be in bad shape by now..have to work out the stiffness and pain every single morning. God Bless You

Randy, Did you have Anesthesia at your surgery or just a local? Sounds like you were 10x worse after surgery?

Welcome
 

Randy,
Welcome, I trust that you will find this forum an incredible place as you begin your journey. Sorry that we have to meet this way. Might I recommend the University of Florida Parkinsons Center for Excellence. I see that you live in Arkansas. It may be an alternative for you to be seen. Their number is
1-352-265-8408. They are absolutely great.

Welcoe Randy..You never stop getting used to living with this disease

Fortunately, there are drugs, supplements, and surgeries to treat it

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I've looked around for a support group in Fort Smith, AR. No such group exists. Anyone know of a directory of PD support groups?

I did indeed get much worse after surgery. I was off any PD meds for three months. My shoulder surgery was arthroscopic but I was put under general anesthesia. Is there linkage between general anesthesia and PD symptoms?
I attributed my rapid decline to being med free.

My SSDI was approved this past August. Massage is a free gift to a world that needs more healthy touch.

I've been chatty on other forums (Massage/Bodywork, Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse.) I imagine I'll revert to that personality, with less easy communication via the keyboard.

Love, light and laughter

Yes! There is a linkage! Contact an attorney ASAP. You could be in for big dollars. You only have one year from your surgery to file.Sue, sue,sue!

Badboy, can you provide more information about general anesthesia effects on PD? I'm facing spinal surgery soon that requires GA and would like to see the evidence for your statements. We all know surgery is sometimes necessary, so what can we do to minimize bad outcomes? Many thanks.

I am living proof. I awoke from GA with full blown PD. I can only speak for myself but if your able to get a local instead, I would personally opt for the local. Best Wishes.