The rate of progression for PWP varies from person to person. Unfortunately, it gets worse over time or maybe it doesn't. Nobody knows. It is not predictable.
But face it. Your symptoms - tremor, rigidity, glacial pace walking, and loss of balance are probably going to determine your future. You can go from mild to debilitating. If you are lucky, you will be able to manage 20 - 30 years following diagnosis. If you are really lucky - well, you know.
My reading suggests;
1. Parkinson's might be stable for 10 years or so (5 - 10% of cases); or,
2. it might lead to severe disability within a few years; or, it might
3. go very slowly. One reader has spent about 17 years in Stage 1.
There is some evidence that the progress of PD will be slow(er) if the first symptom is a tremor. My first symptom appeared about 20 years ago - the loss of the sense of smell. I was diagnosed when I developed a tremor in my right hand. That was 10 years ago. Now I qualify for all the symptoms listed above. Fortunately, my meds keep my problems locked inside my body and people are surprised when they learn I have PD (levodopa-carbidopa, mirapex, amantadine, and a very low dose of quetiapine fumarate), The latter drug is to control hallucinations.
The best medicine for me is the half-hour I spend exercising each morning. In fact, I have always believed exercise somehow slows the rate of progression and lately, studies have shown just that, exercise is the best medicine. So get up off the couch and lift some weights, run, walk, bike, garden, etc.
When I coached athletics, I told my athletes to imagine themselves winning their event. Think positively, as I do in my morning workout. I imagine the time spent exercising as a funeral for PD. I can see it being lowered into the grave, deflated and defeated and I am positively euphoric.
I ain't afraid of no PD!
To date - 115, 511 page views. Happy trails to you.
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