Are there common or expected progressions of PD?

[DAUGHTERofPD]

In some ways, I'd rather not know or think about it. I'm sure many people feel the same way. At the same time, I want to know what's going to happen next. In the past year, my father has lost his drivers license, has had a major increase in 'Off' periods, become more off balance, and has started having cognitive problems. He now has dementia, needs to use a walker a lot of time and is taking medication for anxiety and to help his thinking process. He takes his parkinson's medication every 2 hours from 4am - 9pm. What is going to happen next??? Does anyone know?

[Hidden]

I spent too long asking similar questions. I have learned that we all progress differently and to take it 1 day at a time.

Don't borrow tomorrow's worries/problems today...they might not ever happen.

[tlongmire in reply to Hidden]

I agree. Sieze the day and enjoy each and every one of them. The only thing I have forward thought about is a service dog and that's only because it takes a minimum of 2 years to have them trained. Charlie-Bear will come to live with us around Christmas time of 2013 whether I need him by then or not. Hopefully NOT and if that's the case he'll be trained to assist me and be a wonderful addition to our family. :o)

Paw Pals Assistance Dogs.

[nene1]

Good morning! I totally agree with DiCan,

Although I ask myself questions because I'm far too scared to find out the answers.so for now my own answers for me will be okay, x

[jillannf6]

hi

i have psp and knwo the outcome is v bleak BUT a couple of years would b good and i am upbeat since hte diagnosis

[jillannf6]

a nd a

[jillfd]

There is no answer because we just don't know. There seem for me to be periods of relative stability and then periods where "all hell breaks loose"..

I have found that attitude and purpose can have a huge impact on symptoms.

Does your father have activities he enjoys or would enjoy doiing? Encourage him to keep up with those and at the very least the quality of his days will be better.

Bless you for being so concerned for him. Not all family is willing to look this beast of PD in the eye along side of us. We need people like you to help in the battle.

[tlongmire in reply to jillfd]

Very nicely put.

[srarndt]

Words of wisdom - all!

Steve (Bisbee, AZ)

[Joealt]

I love this blog site!

[tlongmire in reply to Joealt]

Me too.

[moonswife]

My DBS programmer (my guru) put it perfectly. "If you meet 100 people with PD, you have seen 100 different stages, kinds, types, or progression of PD". He claims over the last 28 years no two are alike. Attributes it to different diets, different life styles, different determination, or resignation to symptoms, different exercise rituals and different insurance treatment. Basically EVERYTHING is different for every different person.

[Hidden in reply to moonswife]

O, how I wish I had learned this MUCH earlier!!! I lost a lot of time worrying and wondering why someone would not give me a "roadmap".

[PatV in reply to Hidden]

Right, no road map! My neuro told me when I first saw him "Don't let it progress!"

[DaveR]

I think there is no certain answer but most likely it is different for everyone. Moonswife really says it all.

My wife at age 70 has been diagnosed for 4 years but when we look back we can see that there were indications back another five years that were not noticed.

She no longer drives and is limited more by damage to her left leg (result of PD induced fall!) but we take it one day at a time knowing each one will be different. We Just had three days of sunshine in a row which is good for a Pacific Northwest winter, and made sure we went out enjoyed it in every way we could.

[Court]

I had it explained to me that Parkinsons is like an umbrella and that no two cases are the same that is why it is so difficult to find a medication to suit you.

I am sure, when reading comments on this site that this true.

I do not worry about the future as we cannot control that but take each day as it comes - some good, some not so good and plan my life accordingly.

Worry and stress are the worse things anyone with Parkinsons can do so I try to practice what I preach though stress is my worst enemy.

[Espo]

See my blog for my answer.

[Hidden]

How is your Dad doing these days?