I am 41 yrs old. my father and granpa and great granpa all had parkinsons. I have two young sons of my own and would like to see them grow up. And you will!! You will see them grow up.
I have friends who were diagnosed earlier than you and they keep living normal lifes. Medicine is always getting more knowledge. And alot of the "treatment" is on the way you look at your disease.
All the luck!!
and....believe, you will see them grow up and you still have lots of "parent problems" to come...
:) :) :) :) Make sure they distinguish between Parkinson's disease, Diffuse Lewy Body Disease and NPH (Normal Pressure Hydocephalus)...
Here is a link to clinical trials for Parkinson's
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/result... (hit map tab for local trials... turn pages)
Here are links to distinguising between diffuse lewy body disease vs Parkinson's vs Alzheimers and the part lewy bodies play in Parkinson's...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcg... (parkinson's vs alzheimers vs lewy body disease)
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2003/0... (defining diffuse lewy body disease)
NPH (Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus)
http://www.lifenph.com/
Genes and Parkinson's
http://www.genome.gov/10001217#2 (genes and parkinsons)
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I know actor Michael J. Fox from the TV show Family Ties tried an experimental procedure where they burned out the part of his brain with the Parkinson's that may have given him temporary relief, but not permanent. It probably just grew some more damage in another place(s) in his brain.
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Montel has multiple sclerosis and changed to a more natural diet. He has a book out about it. I don't know if it would help you, but you could try a diet with more organic fruits and vegetables and less pre-made foods with commercial additives?
Parkinson's has been reported to have a higher incidence rate in agricultural areas where there is crop dusting with insecticides. Insecticides cause nerve damage.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/288143... (parkinson's and insecticides) How will Parkinson's disease affect my life?
If you or a member of your family has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, you are probably concerned about how it will affect your life. Parkinson's disease usually progresses slowly. In fact, some people live for many years with only minor symptoms, such as shaking in one hand.
The symptoms and the course of Parkinson's disease vary a great deal from person to person; however, symptoms usually begin sometime between the ages of 50 and 60. While there is no known cure, drugs, surgery, exercise, and lifestyle changes can relieve some of the symptoms.
During the early stages of the disease, your symptoms may not interfere with your work or daily activities. For instance, a right-handed person with tremor only on the left side may not feel limited by the symptoms and may not feel the need to take drugs until symptoms get worse. However, if you cannot do your job because of your symptoms, you may want to begin treatment sooner than someone who does not work or whose symptoms do not affect his or her ability to work.
There are many ways you can manage your symptoms at home. Simplify your daily activities so that you have the energy for those that are most necessary. Arrange your furniture and other commonly used items in your home so that it is easier for you to move around and get to things. Making these simple adjustments can help keep you functioning independently. Parkinson's disease can be discovered at any age (although usually later on). It is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system. Symptoms can be anything from tiredness to loss of coordination. It is unknown what the patients symptoms are going to be as it varies from person to person.
People with Parkinson's disease usually come have a European heritage as it is most common within these countries.
Pills such as Levodopa and Dopamine can help to prevent the disease from progressing as quickly. Drugs such as these and other types of therapy can help people living with Parkinson's to go onto live a good quality of life.
Lots of famous people have had the disease including Michael J. Fox, Pope John Paul II, Muhammed Ali, Helen Beardsley and George Roy Hill (Director of Butch Cassidy, The Sundance Kid and The Sting).
Parkinson's disease is caused by a mutation in the LRRK2 encoding Daradin gene. It is not inherited as it is caused by a mutation at birth. However you are more likely to develop the illness if a family member has previously had it. Lots of other things are also caused by a mutation including Cancer's and even red hair.
Parkinson's does not usually affect the age of death. My mother had Parkinson's for 8 years, she has good days and bad days. i don't think Parkinson's affects your life span... however life does get harder. I see her fight every day in and out trying not to let this change her life, i hope you fight everyday. Parkinson's is a bad illness but you can get lots of tablets which will help minimise the symptoms and there are plenty of support groups around to help you.
I would suggest you join the Parkinson's Disease Society as they provide loads of practical and emotional support and advice, and know of local groups you can join for support.
Of course you will be there to see them grow up, just doing things a bit slower that is all. Please try and keep your chin up and ignore some of the idiots on here.
Take care. | 