Dad went to doc.. With me :)
 

Ok, my dad was up from Fl and I made him go to PD doc up here in NY( Dr. Leder.. Great Neck NY)..a GREAT doc, she was soooo god and patient. Well, it is confirmed...at least for me....he has PD. Again, my dads only symptom right now is hid tremors on his left side. The doc showed me as my father walked how is left arm did not swing like his right at all. She said for a 72 year old he is VERY good shape and that might be because he did over 100 marathons and triathlons, ate VERY VERY healthy and took many supplements from age 37 on. My dad literally ran over 90 miles a week, swam and rode the bike along with that. He did most marathons under 3:00 hours. This is also the reason why he is so depressed. He feels his body let him down. But the doc said if it wasn't for the shape he keep himself in he might be much worse off now. He refuses to go on any depression pills etc. He has tried a few along with other PD meds and they all either made him VERY tired or had bad side effects. He still complains A LOT about being tired. I wish there was something to get his energy up. HE rides his bike/windtrainer a few times a week for about an hour.

Anyway, the doc said he is on the bare minimum of Sinemt(Carbadope/Levadopa). He is a taking 25/100 pill. Is that really a low dose? It sounds high but I might have it wrong. I will ask him. He is gogin to continue to see his neurologist in Florida and has an appointment setup next week. Just wanted to give an update.

So glad you have confirmation. While PD sucks, half the battle is getting an accurate diagnosis. Is he taking carbidopa/levodopa 3 x daily? That 25/100 is the lowest dosage though our brains only use a small amount.

As for depression...someone may have told you already but sadly it is a symptom of PD. He lives in FL? How much time does he spend outside each day? There is light therapy available mainly for seasonal affective disorder, but I have read it is helpful in major depression too.

Maybe you can get your dad exercising again once a day? This is truly our best medicine; it fosters growth of new neurons and in some cases alleviates symptoms altogether...he needs an exercise bike and 40 min daily of paced cycling (maintain a cadence of 80-90 RPM). Maybe this will inspire him?
There are PWP still running marathons 30 years post diagnosis.

Finally, get his vitamin D and B12 checked...PWP end to be low on these and they are essential for optimal bain health.

Laura

Hi, Horsegoer, Glad you did this, and that you and you Dad know where you are with PD. Would like to commend what Laura has said, with a couple of additions.

One of the things that can happen in PD is that people become less motivated, not necessarily because they don't want to do things, but because things like decision making and the way we react to things change. Basically it becomes easy to absorb information but less easy to react to it. So some outside help with this helps so long as it is done sensitively. Once outside, or doing, it is easier to engage. And doing things helps ward off depression.

The other is about B12. Low B12 doesn't show on all tests, you need to get the right test done, request it. There is an overlap with some of the non-motor symptoms, so it is well worth getting it done.

Meeting other people with PD did a lot for me, many of them are very active, perhaps your dad would benefit from getting involved in something like this?

Best Wishes
Lindy