First things first: A reader wrote that she was distraught because, at 38, she had been diagnosed with PD. That is very young and I understand her distress. Perhaps I can try to alleviate her concern.
When diagnosed, I didn't really understand how a diagnosis of PD could affect my life. Thank God for google where I discovered I was not alone. Many personalities, are/were part of the tribe, most notably, Michael J. Fox, my personal hero, a crazy Canuck whose efforts will eventually lead to a cure. He was diagnosed at 29 or 30. Then there is (was, he died in 2016) Muhammad Ali who was diagnosed at 32. Both of them are leading/lead productive lives. There are many more....... click here to see a group of famous members of the club.
It has been 11 years since my formal diagnosis (much longer since I knew something was off). Here is what I have learned:
1. PD is not a death sentence - PWP ("people with parkinson's") die "with" PD, not "from" PD.
2 Carbidopa / levodopa is the bell ringer drug for PD. If taken regularly, it will calm or eliminate your symptoms
3. A medicine, such as Mirapex, a dopamine agonist, has some of the same effects as Levodopa and can be taken with c/levodopa
4. Some specialists prescribe Amantadine, an antiviral drug that may have a positive effect on reducing tremors
5. Some neuros prescribe all of the above as a daily drug "cocktail"
6. Mucuna Puriens is a natural source of dopamine, but I would avoid it because there is no way you can determine the concentration of dopamine and too much dopamine can lead to other problems.
7. Avoid any claim that PD can be cured. It cannot be at this time
8. About 2.5 hours of exercise, positive thinking with a healthy diet seem to slow down the speed at which PD progresses
I grow weary. Nap time. More to come. Keep checking back
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