New to site, Somewhat!

[dc45]

I'm somewhat new to this site only because I've been reading and learning from all the great posts for a few months now but just haven't posted anything till now.

So much to say and ask, but let me start with the basics. I'm in my mid 40s and have been very healthy throughout my life until I was diagnosed with Early Onset PD in the spring of 2016. For the past year I have taken 4mg Neupro patch and just recently increased Amantadine from 100mg two times/day to three times a day. I've also been a fairly regular exercise program (based on info from this site). Although I still don't believe I have this condition Overall Im doing ok. However, I feel The combo of exercise and meds isn't quite right yet to fix my gate and my balance which is way out of wack now (I feel like I look drunk a lot of the the time). In any case, I'm very interested in avoiding more medications as long as possible but I need other options that really work. Lastly I live just outside of Chicago and I'm thinking it may be time to make some connections to other PWP since I have yet to have any. So send me a message.

[Beckey]

I'm trying to avoid more medications too. At this point my medicine drawer is an embarrassment of riches. Sometimes my throat refuses to gulp down another capsule.

[JohnPepper]

Your balance and gait problems CAN BE OVERCOME if you learn how to take conscious control of your walking. My Pd started when I was 29, but it was only diagnosed 29 years later, probably because i was doing lots of exercise and did not see a neurologist until I started to shuffle.

If you want to learn more about my history and what I did about it then look at my profile on this site.

[laglag]

I've been doing Rock Steady Boxing (non-contact strictly for PD) for 11 yrs (diagnosed 14 yrs ago @ 46) & have done really well. Here is ths website: rocksteadyboxing.org

Check it out & feel free to ask me any questions.

[Sleeplessparki]

Hi Dc45 and welcome. There are some great and knowledgeable folks on this site and I've learned a lot about PD, its symptoms and how to cope with them from their insights.

Mark

[MBAnderson]

Crank up your exercise while you still can - to your maximum level. Try to do as much reading/research per day as possible. Start with Curcumin, Mucuna Pruriens, NAC, and resveratrol. I spend several hours/day researching. Monitor a few PD forums. Google Scholar is good. Too many doctors, 99% of whom are well meaning, are too quick to prescribe drugs. I was diagnosed 6 years ago and haven't taken any drugs. It can be done, but we all progress differently. Above all else, only you know what's best for you.