I am a 61 year old man diagnosed on September 2016 as having PD. Like many of you, I had to leave the workforce due to the many issues caused by this disease. I take seven different medications every morning, one mid-afternoon, and four every evening....such fun! Anyway, I am self-learning the piano as part of my occupational therapy, using my library card as much as possible in order to keep my brain in check, and trying...........Trying..........TRYING......to complete at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week.
I will try to participate in this website more often than what I normally do.....I am a hardcore introvert ((INFJ) who is trying to answer the "whys" of my goals.
Thanks for reading!
Written by
JLS35
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Welcome and sorry you have to be here. My husband had to retire early because of PD. up until then he had a 200 mile round trip to work each day, and he had balance issue, that was the first symptom he noticed. I noticed a few others but didn't put it together until shortly before he went to the doctor and was diagnosed. He is also an introvert, and he does read some, though has major eye problems now, He is diabetic too, He plays computer games all day to keep his mind sharp or at least less blunt.
Be sure and read here you will get a lot of help and info.
Like you, I had to give up my very high powered job and spent the next two years, taking medication and feeling sorry for myself. I then decided to do whatever I could to help me overcome at least some of my symptoms. My neurologist changed me away from the levodopa medication, which has serious side effects and does absolutely nothing to slow down the progression of Pd.
I also started a walking program that, together with the walking has turned my life around completely. The Fast Walking costs nothing and is very healthy for us all.
Look at my profile and contact me on reverseparkinsons.net and I will help you to do the same.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I had to stop working about 24 years ago, the unfortunate result of having chosen dentistry as a profession. I was also extremely introverted my whole life but discovered that after my diagnosis I became more outgoing. I realized that my reluctance to engage with other people was caused by a fear of being judged. My diagnosis made me realize that since we have no way to predict the future or any control of it that what other people thought was of little importance. I would not consider myself the life of the party but I am no longer reluctant to engage with those around me.
Regular physical activity is essential. I find it improves both my function and my mental state. It is wonderful that you are exercising your body and your mind but having stopped work I would be aware of the associated isolation, particularly if you are not outgoing. I am lucky that my wife is also a dentist and we have a home office so I wander in and out during the day to reconnect with patients I have not treated in years. Support groups are not everyone's cup of tea but they can be an easy way to begin meeting people who are happy to talk about a situation you have in common.
Virginia Beach holds a special place in my family's heart. We have a timeshare there and spent every Fourth of July week for many years down there. I wish you all the best and use this forum, it is a remarkable resource filled with intelligent and compassionate people.
VA Beach is one of my favorite destinations. I currently live in Richmond. Check out Dr. Sarah King's website, invigoratept.com. She offers a great online exercise Booster program that I found extremely helpful. This month on her Facebook page she is posting short, daily videos to help PWP formulate a plan of attack, "redefining your diagnosis, one day at a time." It's a great resource.
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