Who worked after being diagnosed with PD?

[sothernman2017]

Just checking to see who has worked, for how long and how did it go? I'm trying to work, but the anxiety from my knowledge of PD diagnosis is keeping me from performing.

[Bailey_Texas]

Hello sothernman2017

The anxiety is not from the "knowledge of PD diagnosis" it is (I believe) a symptom of PD. I think most PWP suffer from it at one time or the other. I worked for 9 years before the anxiety and panic attacks got so bad i could no longer perform my duties. The last 3 years were terrible i would break down every morning just trying to get out of my house to go to work. I cried almost every day. I would have panic attacks every day. I had to close my office door and take a nap under my desk. I was with the company for 20 years the owners were great and put no demands on me just let come and go as i needed. I was 61 when i retired. It has been hard adjusting to not going to work i and been working since i was 10 and was married at 17. Filling my days with something to do is the hardest. I was a land surveyor's assistant which meant i did everything but did not sign the work.

Good luck

[Jmwg45]

I agree with Bailey_Texas, anxiety is a symptom. it was probably my first symptom as I started to get panic attacks a couple of years before any motor issues.

I've had it explained to me that it's the adrenaline release that's responsible, shutting down dopamine production and mopping up the dopamine that's there - something to do with preparing the body for fight-or-flight. Unfortunately 'excitement' over positive things have a similar response. (I don't know if this is true but it sure feels true).

It's actually the knowing what causes the panic attacks that help me deal with them. I now prepare better for work presentations for instance and 'wing' them less. I also tend not to care so much about stuff with work which bizarrely means I perform better at work.

My only real thing that triggers shutdown anymore is dealing with my wife's stress (2 of us are suffering here) or my young children's stress. I haven't managed to not care about these!

The best advise I was given though is that when you have PD, know your triggers and become selfish. If someone causes you stress just don't deal with them or make it their problem! (Easier said than done).

I'm 46 with a worthless pension and a large mortgage so I have to find ways to keep working. I try not to worry about it though, as I can't afford the stress and the mortgage!

[Farooqji in reply to Jmwg45]

Well said

[Jamielee1 in reply to Jmwg45]

Hi there. How old were you when diagnosed?

[Jmwg45 in reply to Jamielee1]

43, diagnosed 3 years ago

[RS313]

I still work full time at my job, I actually felt the same way at first because i was worried what would happen if everyone knew but one thing i can say is telling my coworkers has been a weight lifted off my shoulders and i know that if i didnt come to work everyday i would def have alot more anxiety and depression! This is a manageable disease and it isnt a death sentence.Live your life as you did before you found out.Dont dwell on it and stay active ,exercise,and stay social! Good luck to you and LIVE YOUR LIFE!

[park_bear in reply to RS313]

Your recommendations seconded! I am a self-employed securities trader. Some people would find that stressful but I think it is fun. Just have to make sure my tremor hand is not left unsupervised to place orders ; - )

[Jeansm in reply to park_bear]

Less serious outcome but I've had some interesting online grocery orders arrive. Luckily I only have none perishables delivered so the only issue with accidental multiple buys has been storage. It gave my husband and I a good laugh too.

[ion_ion]

I told you before, I went through the same steps like you. If you control yourself the anxiety goes down and you can perform at work. It may be a PD induced anxiety but you are amplifying it by being stressed by the diagnostic. Just accept it and try to be like before. That is what I did and I can perform 90 % from what I did before.

[Enidah]

I found going to work for me was actually helpful as I worked as a gardener for 25 years. I loved it. Loved being outdoors all day and visiting with people I knew in the neighborhoods. What did me in mainly, was the dystonia in my back and pain from the hard work in my arms and shoulders and fatigue. I retired over a year ago from my last job and don't regret it because one of the things I've noticed happens now is that when I have something to do the next day, especially something where people are relying on me, I don't sleep well. Good old Parkinson's anxiety. I have things going on today and last night at 2 a.m. I was trying not to get into the anxiety about not sleeping which causes not sleeping. Finally took a Xanax, which I'm trying to avoid in case it makes me cognitively loopy sooner rather than later. I've noticed this now anytime I have something to do the next day that is niggling at my brain. I don't sleep well. Dang!

[Serenity_finaly-1]

For me anxiety is like cooking rice, once the water starts boiling you put a lid on it and turn the heat way down low and it still boils. The only way to stop boiling is to remove all heat sources.

[JohnPepper]

Have you told your boss that you have Pd? It really helps other people to understand Pd, if you tell them about it. Pd does not make us any less intelligent or unable to understand what it is we have to do, it just makes some movements difficult to perform and it can affect our memory.

I was the boss in my business, and the stress related to running that very large company was making my Pd worse, so I resigned my job, the day I was diagnosed. It was the best thing I ever did.

You will find that if you were to get rid of the things that stress you, you would have little or no problem in continuing to work. Maybe your boss would be prepared to take some responsibilities away from you, if you were prepared to earn a little less. You may not be able to afford to give up your job altogether.

[arwenmark]

My husband was diagnosed in February of 2012 and continued to work in Tech. managment until October of 2015. He also had to drive 200 miles round trip every day to work.

[Farooqji in reply to arwenmark]

What's your husband age?

[Abepark2013]

I am an Electrical Engineer , with 5 years of PD. I am working all day . Of course the wear on wear off transitions are a little complicated but after that I work normally. I am the manager of the electrical company. I avoid have meetings in the transition times.

Regards

Alberto

[S70AWD]

I am 68 years old, was diagnosed at 63. Just retired from my high stress job last week. The PD was major factor in my decision. My tremors were increasing, my speech was becoming slurred more frequently, and my cognition was definitely impaired. Since I could not do the job as well as it should be done, I decided to leave. My boss felt I was still performing adequately, but I didn't want to do a second rate job. The fatigue factor also took a toll. In my experience, you will know when it's time to go.