Does anyone here know about Parkinson's?

[TemperanceBrennan]

My grandma was diagnosed with Parkinson's today. I don't know a lot about it. I googled a little, but I don't know if that is going to make it sound worse than it is or not. I think that it is probably in the early stages. Her arm and leg shake but, she says she can control that sometimes. I don't know all of the symptoms to know if she has any others. Also, she still has to get a MRI to see where/how much of her brain it is affecting. The doctor gave her some medication to take everyday to try to control it.
She is almost 80. I know that it is more likely to get Parkinson's as you age.
I guess I just want to kind of know what to expect with all of this since it is just starting.

[meemz]

I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this. I know there is some memory loss associated with this illness. My sister was diagnosed a few years ago in her late 30's. They think she actually had it in her 20's. She is doing well though. She has her good and bad days with her shakiness. Her dad (we are half sisters) has this illness as well.

[imoan]

My FIL was recently diagnosed. His arm shakes but he can stop it if he concentrates on it. The put him on meds to get his dopamine leveled out and the a med to reduce his current tremor. The man still does EVERYTHING he ever did.

[sailorgray]

My Nana had it. I don't remember her ever not having it, so I am going to guess she was in her 50's/60's when diagnosed. Her hands shook very noticeably and, as she got older, her head started to shake. Like others said, she had good and bad days and kept things maintained quite well with medication. She died in her late 70's/early 80's of causes not related to Parkinson's.

I wish you and your family the best!

[TemperanceBrennan]

I guess I just mostly wanted to know about how it progresses, but it makes sense that it is different depending on the person. Also, what kind of care she would need. But, if it progresses slowly it sounds like she would be able to live her life like she normally does.

I just found out about it, so I am not really sure what I need to know or what to think about it. My grandparents were acting kind of weird when my grandma told me (seemed a little more upbeat than I would have expected) so I didn't know if I thought it was a bigger deal than it is or if they were just trying not to worry me. I know she still has some more tests to do, so maybe they aren't getting really worried until after that.

Thank you for the info and stories. It is helping me be calmer about it.

[TemperanceBrennan]

Yes, she still lives with my grandpa. He is much more active than she is. But, they still do a lot of things and I think are pretty active for their age. They also have a couple of sister in-laws and nieces/nephews that live close to them that help them with different things.

That gives me more hope. I will hope that it ends up being more of a limitation for her. I feel like I need to keep ahead of what kind of care they will need, because it will be up to me and my sisters to arrange that care for them.

Thank you!

[sailorgray]

Oct 25, 2012 21:12:24 GMT -5 TemperanceBrennan said:

Yes, she still lives with my grandpa. He is much more active than she is. But, they still do a lot of things and I think are pretty active for their age. They also have a couple of sister in-laws and nieces/nephews that live close to them that help them with different things.

That gives me more hope. I will hope that it ends up being more of a limitation for her. I feel like I need to keep ahead of what kind of care they will need, because it will be up to me and my sisters to arrange that care for them.

Thank you!

My Nana lived alone until the last year of her life. She then went into a nursing home, but that was for other reasons. She did surprisingly well for having Parkinsons
.

[regencygirl]

My MIL has Parkinson's. She was diagnosed in her late 50's. When she remembers to take her medications, she is fine. Before they got the dosages right and figured out what worked for her, her right side shook and she would "lock up," she couldn't move her legs. She also recently underwent Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy and it's amazing what it's done for her. She's very active you'd never guess she had it.

[TemperanceBrennan]

Thank you all. I will watch for depression and make a note of Deep Brain Stimulation therapy.
If I have any questions I will post again.

Thank you all again!

[snorky]

My grandmother had Parkinson's. I really have no advice, but I am sorry for what you're going through now, it is such a tough disease.

This link might interest you, www.parkinsonsvoice.org/ , it's a project based on findings that certain voice disturbances can be indicative of one's being likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson's. It's not really a screening tool, however, but a research method, which is what Parkinson's really needs now.

[Deleted]

I'm sorry, but I'm glad your Grandma was diagnosed so that she can get some treatment and medication.

Both of MH's grandfather have/had Parkinson's. One passed away a few years ago, but I'm not sure if it was from the Parkinson's complications or not.
His other Grandpa is in his 70's and has pretty advanced Parkinson's. His medicine causes him to fall asleep a lot - sometimes in the middle of meals or during conversations. It is also very difficult to understand him as the muscles for speech have deteriorated. The worst thing is that he falls down a lot. He walks with a cane and shuffles his feet because those muscles have deteriorated as well but is very stubborn and doesn't like to ask for help. Usually it is when he is going down unfamiliar stairs and it is very sad and sometimes scary.

Hugs, and I hope you can be a support for your grandma and that she will accept help and support when she needs it.

[karmasabiotch]

It's a hard disease to deal with because there are do many unknowns. At her age it she could live out her life with minimal progression. I hope that's the case. Hugs...