I was diagnosed with parkinson's disease 5 yrs ago. i have trouble with balance and walking?

my hands only have minor shaking ,..is there anyone out there with parkinson's disease that can give me some advise on what to expect in the future?? over the last few months it is getting hard to get out of bed in the morning. I need a wheelchair if i want to go shopping in a large (like walmart) store. medicare has supplied my wheel chair for me..I had to quit my job because of this disease..My blood pressure is very low at times Do any of you with PD have these same problems and what are you doing for them and you health in general?? I just don't know what my future holds..do you have a problem traveling?? I get exhausted very easy..Just rideing in the car for several hrs makes me stiff and tired..How do you manage traveling?? I'd like to take a trip to S.C. in my husbands silverado which ls pretty comfortable..I live in Illinois so it would take us about 2 days to get there..Have any suggestion on traveling to make it easier for me. I am now 60 yrs old. Thank you so much....

Queen Crystal,

First of all, do everything you can to take the trip. You deserve it. Your symptoms are classic Parkinson's. I know that you specifically asked for people that have PD. I just do a lot of research about PD, and work with PWPs all the time. So, please discount my answer if you really value first-hand experience.

Problems with balance and walking are some of the inevitable consequences of PD. They are very frustrating. Your experiences with fatigue and low blood pressure are something that many other people living with PD experience.

I do not know what you are doing now for exercise. However, fine tunning with exercise before you go may help. Also, talk to your physician about your trip. She/he may have recommendations. I recently talked to a patient's wife that says that the Apokyn injection has saved them many times.

Please feel free to contact me via Yahoo 360, or my blog - MyParkinsonsInfo.com. We could talk some more. Thanks!

Matt
My Parkinson's Info

i do and i have learnt to deal with them and i can tell you how to stop the shaking .

Yeah,my grandfather had this disease. The symptoms were same are told by you.But he was physically strong,so he never used a wheelchair.
Last 2-3 years of his life were very difficuly.The medication didnt helped much.I think most of all,a strong willpower is required.

dear sir,
you should start physiotherapy.physiotherapist must concentrate on your gait,balance etc.also frenkles exercises are very useful for you.your therapist will teach you how to do these exercises.you must also build your muscle.do your exercises daily.
shakeel ahmad

My name is Corine Granger, and my mother has P.D. She was diagnosed approximately 5 yrs.ago. She is now 75 yrs. of age.

Mother has progressed into the latter stages of P.D. already. However, her rapid decline is due to several factors, such as, not eating properly, not exercising, and receiving poor medical care.

Now, considering that you and my mother have had P.D. about the same length of time, I'm going to describe how the disease is affecting her now.Compare the description with what you are going through.

Right now, she is taking carbidopa 50 mg/levodopa200mg pills, due to the 25mg carbidopa/100mg levodopa pills. She was instructed to take the pill 4 times a day, however, the side affects are so dreadful that she takes only half of the pill at each scheduled time.

Her P.D, "attacks" have several ways of manifestation. Sometimes, her left-leg with start rotating in a clock-wise direction, and the involuntary movement of the leg does not bother her. While her gait has improved, she has excessive drooling, which embarrasses her to the point she carries a box of kleenex, everywhere she goes. Also, the medication causes her to hallucinate. Also, she's very forgetful, and depressed...

I could go on, on, and on.

I'll tell you the same-way I tell my mother, P.D. is not a death-sentence. It is a pain-in-the-a*** ( excuse my french) that will decrease the quality-of-life, if not properly dealt with. You are still a young lady (yes, at 60) with plenty years ahead. So, do everything you can to maintain yourself. E-mail me back, if you like.

I'm afraid Parkinson's affect your balance consequently your walking. It may be that your medications need increased/decreased though! Visit your doctor

Best wishes

Ros