Shall I buy a car? AKA how long have I got doc?

[Marcomando]

Slightly tongue in cheek title but basically a genuine question...

I’m 58. I first noticed clear symptoms (as opposed to those you realise with hindsight might have been earlier indicators) in 1/2015. Officially dx a year later 1/16 and started on 1mg pd of Rasagiline

Then 15 months later (5/17) started on Madopar at 100/25 three times a day. 6 months later added B1 not because it made any noticeable difference but in the hope it might slow progression.

No change to medication since. Symptoms still left side only and basically still fit and well - apart from pd which exhibits mainly as tremor. Slowness walking if unmedicated but never frozen, fallen etc.

It’s now 4 and a half years since initial symptoms.

So should I buy a new car (my current one needs changing) and expect to still be working/driving in, say, five/six years time - or are things going to get suddenly worse?! 😉

What’s your experience of the rate of progression?

Thanks

Marc

[WinnieThePoo]

Buy a car. I had the same thought about new skis last year. I think I thought quite seriously it would be my last season . But i had 4 awesome days skiing on them and they were worth it even if that's all I do.

However i am now looking forward to this season, and hoping for many more. Buy the car 😃

[OREOLU]

Rate of progression,they say is unpredictable because everybody is different.I was diagnosed almost about this same time as you,and a year later,there was a bad storm in my area and my car got flooded.With no comprehensive insurance,I was faced with the same question;should I buy another car.I would say ,"yes" as long as you can still drive.We should not let PD determine who we are,always think positively.

[ruff1]

Def , my husband was diagnosed nearly 13 yesterday ago, he was told by consultant he would keep him working for 2 years, he worked for another 8, he decided to retire age 57 , he was a headteacher. He bought a Porsche Boxster just before he retired - he’d always wanted one , kept it for 5 years , just bought a Mazda MX5 . He has no problem driving . 😀

[Astra7]

Buy the car - maybe don’t get a manual though. You’ve got a good few years ahead I reckon!

[Icequeen10]

Absolutely!

[Rebtar]

Go for it! You’re doing well, no reason to think you don’t have many good years ahead. Exercise as much as possible and eat lots of healthy food, and you make it that much more likely. Plus state of mind is so important. If you don’t buy the car, you’re telling yourself that you won’t be able to use it for long. That’s a real nocebo (opposite of placebo).

[Janlavelle]

I just got DBS and got my life back! Discuss it with your neurologist.

[chantingwpd]

Hell to the yeah! Buy the car!

[ddmagee1]

Basically, you are doing well, with symptoms still being one-sided! It has been my experience that Parkinson’s symptoms usually start up slowly, and take a while to advance! Go for buying the car! I lease my car, and then, at the end of a two, or three year, period, if I’m slowing down, and feel I shouldn’t drive, I can always just stop the lease, at that time, and not lease or buy, another car. Looks to me like you are going to have many more good years ahead, so leasing, or buying a car would be great!

[Marcomando]

Thanks for all the encouragement, much appreciated.

I actually asked my consultant ‘how long have I got?’ recently and he said:

“Well, it’s rather like a leopard...”

“What? It’s gonna suddenly jump out of the bushes and get me?”

“...No, I mean you seem to be progressing slowly and leopards don’t change their spots - so it’s likely to continue slowly.”

He paused, then:

“Maybe I should use a different metaphor...”

I agreed.

True story

[Lionore]

Absolutely buy the car! Among other reasons already mentioned, new cars come with safety features as standard equipment that were unknown or cost extra years ago. My car is eight years old but my partner has installed extra wide rear view mirror, backup camera and tiny side mirrors. New cars have those wonderful warning signals if you are too close to other vehicles or the median. We can’t have enough safety!

[NanCyclist]

Be optimistic. If you want/need the car, get it, enjoy it. You could get crushed by a falling tree, but what does that stop you from doing?

[DianeF]

My movement disorder specialist originally ordered an OT/PT assessment. Part of the OT assessment was an evaluation of my driving skills. Turns out I have better reflexes than someone without Parkinson’s. But I’m sure your MD could refer you for an evaluation .

[Icequeen10]

But an evaluation is not required,,.... unless you think you need one, it does not sound to me that you do. It's not necessarily anyone's business ~~

[Rlp1]

Buy a car. I just bought a Tesla.