LOL The #1 question that everyone wishes they had the answer to is how fast will I progress - and no one has the answer - not even drs. When I was first diagnosed with PD I was in stage 2 already. In Feb 2010 I started getting tremors in my left hand and it has been down hill every since. The medicine helps but I still have PD. Another thing crazy about this disease is that some days are worst than others. I try to exercise a lot and if I don't exercise for 2-3 days I am miserable - I exercise and I feel much better. I want to say God why did a couch potato like me have to get a disease where I have to exercise to feel good. Then on the other hand I want to say thank you God for a disease where at this point in time all I have to do is exercise to feel better. I could think of at least 5 other things I love doing than exercise. Exercise takes priority in my life today UGH!! but grateful I am able to do it.

PLEASE,
BE AWARE THAT STRESS COMPONDS THE SYMPTOMS. THERE IS NO NEED, TO STRESS YOURSELF OUT UNNECCESSARILY LOOKING FOR SOMETHING, THAT HASN'T AND MAY NOT HAPPEN.
NOT EVERYONE GETS ALL THE SYMPTOMS AND, NO TWO PEOPLE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME.

I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT AND SCARRY IT IS WHEN FIRST DIAGNOSED.
I HAVE BEEN ON THIS JOURNEY FOR 13 YEARS, MY PARTNER FOR 21 YEAR. MY LEFT SIDE IS AFFECTED, YET MY RIGHT SIDE IS OK.

WE ARE STILL HERE AND ACTIVE. WE SURVIVE BECAUSE WE ARE GOOD AT IT. WE DON'T GIVE IN, WE JUST FIND WAYS TO MANAGE BETTER.

I CAN SEE THAT YOU ARE YOUNG, WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE, THERE ARE MANY GOOD YEARS HEAD OF YOU. WHEN PARKS COMES HARD AT YOU , YOU GO HARD AT IT.
MAINTAIN A WINNING POSITION.


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Well . I am sure it is individual for all of us....... I was diagnosed at age 43 with the right leg tremor,,,,,,,,, now aged 51 (still look 43 ha ha) l still have just the right leg tremor, and a little stiffer.

9 years, l guess that is great!! in the big scheme of things.

Keep a good attitude, as soon as l accepted l had pd, my symptoms lessened, it was the stress that made it worse. Relax, and be kind to yourself, that will help

Thanks for your replies. I know it sounds like I am all stressed and freaking out. And in a way maybe I am! lol However, I am generally pretty positive and calm about this. I am just trying to gather information so its not so scary. If that makes sense. Hearing about your experiences helps calm me and say - OK its not so bad even when it feels like it is. Bear with me in my infancy of this please.

I am asking about the progression because I have had tremors on my left side for about 1 1/2 yrs. Believe it or not I never once even considered Parkinson's before the doctor brought it up. The PD diagnosis was given only 2 months ago. This past week I have noticed my right hand is starting to have mild tremors when I walk/run in the mornings. So I am just seeking others experience with time line to see if this is typical (I know, I know - there is no typical lol).

I totally get where you're coming from, CMstanding. I'm 54 and was diagnosed a year ago (with symptoms for about 2-3 years), and I worry about increasing my meds (2 0.5 Requip 3X day). A friend of mine (with PD for about 5 years) recently started hallucinating, and that was no fun to witness. So, yeah, I'm constantly scanning the horizon for . . . whatever's next. On the up side, I'm doing water-jogging at the pool, and lifting weights, which helps a lot. And I go to a support group so I can obsess for an hour with people who understand.

Hi CM, my right hand & the right side of my body is my most affected, but my left hand is as bad at times.... this has taken quite a while thankfully... (I'll whisper the rest- "progression has been slow for me!!") Ssssshhhh!! I don't want to tempt fate.((LOL))
I have to be honest I'm pretty scared and yet very optomistic all at the same time of what my future holds, as I'm still only 52!! lol...but had PD 17 years now.
There's a big difference between young-onset PD and what is regarded as the expected age.... lets say beyond 65-70+... I think it's vitally important to stay as fit and active as you can in both body & mind as possible, especially the young-onset, but the older ones my find it much more difficult.. some hopefully won't. Having a good strong positve sometimes lighthearted attitude towards it is just as important too.

I wish you well ..

Yours Sincerely Dirky !!;O))x

Hi y'all, it seems that we all are around the same age. Do yall notice that excercise releive the symptoms or is it that we forget that we have it during those moments?

I was diagnosed 2 years ago. I'm now 60. I have tremor in my right arm and some in my right leg. I try to stay positive and active. Exercise seems to help. I make myself take a walk everyday. I try to share my time with upbeat and happy people. It helps. Stress doesn't help PD at all. The best to you. LadyJ :)

hi there, like the other answers, no 2 parkies are the same. I have had it for 21 years and I am still going ok. try to stay positive and keep yourself busy. and if all else fails do what I do, scream at the ceiling. it doesn't change anything or cure you but it makes you feel better for awhile. and a gsoh is essential.

Diagnosed in 07 and still very little problem with left side. Everything seems to be on the right. Having some ankle pain and swelling on the Left which the neuro thinks is a response to the funky way my right foot walks since developing foot drop. Fortunately BIG exercises are helping strengthen that side and lessening pain on both sides. Not gone, just much better.

I am becoming more and more amazed how different this disease is for everyone. In a way it is frustrating, but in a way I am thankful. I guess I will have to watch how my picture gets painted! I am learning so much from everyone here. Thank you!

Newnonnie, I visited your blog. I have also started a blog and find writing to be very therapeutic.

Hi CM....

It's been 35 years since my symptoms became visible! A slight tremor in the finger of my left hand IN 1976, AT AGE 32. Unremarkable as it was, I managed to stay working until 2001. That equals very slow progression! You must remember rhat PD is "s designer" illness that affects each one of us depending on our own personal "make ups".

In 2001 my symotoms became much more rapid and unpredictable, but I responded well to Sinamet and its generic counterpart Carbidopa/Levodopa. Yet, by 2003 I underwent my first of two DBS brain surgeries. The first in 2003 for my left side symptoms, and the 2nd one in 2010 for my right side symptoms.
Also, keep in mind that by the time your symptoms become visible, more than 80% of the dopamine producing cells (factories)have already been destroyed in your brain forever!

If I were in your shoes, take my advice, and spend the rest of your life raising your young family to mitigate the mental quagmire that can be morer than the physical symptoms. Also, since PD is a movement disorder, the one true way to mitigate the physical and mental aspects, combined, is to increase your physical exwecising.

The opinions I've stated are what worked for me all of these years. Coupled with a dtrong Faith in God!

Jim Evridge "AKA:SILVERFOXX_FIGHTING_BACK"