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#4347073 - 03/27/17 12:17 AM parkinsons disease?  
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During my latest physical at the local VA medical center my primary physician told me that I most likely have the early stages of Parkinson's disease. They scheduled an MRI for August and mentioned trying some medications, nothing really firm yet. Another surprise was that my chest X-ray indicated COPD, which the Dr. agreed might be showing damage from pneumonia I had as a kid. I don't smoke ( at least in the last 50 years) and have no shortness of breath during regular hard work. I have been looking at some online information and it seems there are some fairly effective treatments. At 65 I think other things might befall me first. Oh well, it could be worse...


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#4347080 - 03/27/17 01:26 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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Sorry to hear that. My aunt, who's in her 80s, has Parkinson's. There's a slight tremor and shakiness in her left hand which is noticeable though she tries to keep it hidden. The two things that helped her out most was exercise and medication. I would suggest educating yourself on Parkinson's and decide which treatment options work best for you. Hope your symptoms are mild and may they be manageable enough to allow you good quality of life.


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#4347081 - 03/27/17 01:28 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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Sorry to hear that coasty. I know too much web research can make it hard to sleep. In the last few years I have had MRI, PET scans, CT scans, X-rays, and bone scans. I have had several doctors all look at the same tests, only to give me conflicting opinions. Some of the doctors would even later contradict themselves. I hope they give you some straight answers.

#4347104 - 03/27/17 05:35 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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Hate to hear about that, Coasty. My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's in the '80s and lasted over twenty years. Treatments are even better now than they were then. I can't remember the specialist's name that he saw the last few years, but he has a clinic in Austin, Texas, and is considered one of the foremost experts on Parkinson's in the world. He had a framed copy of Time magazine with his picture on the cover. Maybe that will help you locate him if you wish.


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#4347107 - 03/27/17 06:09 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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Originally Posted by coasty
During my latest physical at the local VA medical center my primary physician told me that I most likely have the early stages of Parkinson's disease. They scheduled an MRI for August and mentioned trying some medications, nothing really firm yet. Another surprise was that my chest X-ray indicated COPD, which the Dr. agreed might be showing damage from pneumonia I had as a kid. I don't smoke ( at least in the last 50 years) and have no shortness of breath during regular hard work. I have been looking at some online information and it seems there are some fairly effective treatments. At 65 I think other things might befall me first. Oh well, it could be worse...


Gotta love the VA. An August appointment for something that might be serious.

I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea about six months ago from an off site referral place, and my VA doc said I can see him in June for a CPAP fitting. Meanwhile I'm listed as "non-deployable" until I get the official results as to the severity of it...and I'm still working in a deployable position in the Air Guard with a deployment coming up within a year. Hopefully it's not too bad since I have to wait another three months...

Hang in there brother!


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#4347151 - 03/27/17 12:29 PM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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I just don't trust doctors anymore. My family doc had me take a chest xray a couple years ago and proclaimed I had COPD. I did not have any trouble breathing and seemed ok but thought it must be true if a doc says so. Two years later I had another chest xray at the hospital for a possible heart attack that turned out to be something else. They took a chest xray and I asked how my COPD looked and the main doc there said I did not have COPD, just had big lungs. I said my doc took an xray years before and said I did and he told me you cannot not tell if you have COPD from an xray, you need to have breathing test done. Live an learn so I take most of what my family doc tells with little confidence anymore.

So now lately my doc thinks I might have Parkinsons because of some shaking in my left hand that stopped me from flying RC after all these years, but knowing my doc better now I just shrugged and forgot about.

Last edited by Warbirds; 03/27/17 12:32 PM.

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#4347321 - 03/27/17 09:38 PM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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thought this was interesting

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#4347324 - 03/27/17 09:44 PM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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By all means get a second opinion and after that see a specialist. I was poorly diagnosed and wish I had not been so accepting of my first doctor.

I hope it turns out to be nothing coasty. My prayers are with you.


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#4347367 - 03/28/17 02:43 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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coasty Offline
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Thanks for the kind responses gents. most of my symptoms are mild and could be something else, so more testing is in order. I have a lot of faith in my primary care team. my nurse and I went to high school together and she and the doctor were very encouraging and commented on my good health being part of the positive side. I have mowed 3 8 hour days and feel much better getting exercise and stretching. I can stop the tremor in my left hand if I concentrate and it does not bother me at night. Anxiety makes it worse so I only tackle one job at a time and work slowly, enjoying what I can. I played my guitar some over the weekend and since I never have been very good it was nice to be able to play along with some online music. in the meantime I am just going to make the best of the many blessings I have.


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#4347372 - 03/28/17 02:57 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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So sorry to hear about this diagnosis. Its not one of those anyone wants to hear. I refuse to see any doctor unless I am in a life threatening situation.
My plan is to let nature take its course and the wife is good with it. At 55 and suffering more depression then anything after dealing with the son moving
out, he was here today with 6 friends taking 4 carloads of his crap. Still another 4 to go. Its not easy going to think about the work helped me with, but
its easy to think about having to have do it all over again since he did such crappy job.

Having watched dozens of our older residents suffer from Parkinson`s , I do understand what battles you are facing. Hang in there. You are in my
prayers.


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#4347375 - 03/28/17 03:12 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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coasty Offline
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thanks JimK, I wish you well with your son, and that his move might be good for you both, if he makes the best of it.


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#4347384 - 03/28/17 04:47 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: oldgrognard]  
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Originally Posted by oldgrognard
By all means get a second opinion and after that see a specialist. ...

I hope it turns out to be nothing coasty. My prayers are with you.


I'll echo oldgrognard's words above.

Coasty, it is dismaying to see you are having to face this possibility. It truly sucks that you have to wait until August to get some clarity on the issue. Given the circumstances, your attitude about dealing with the situation it is admirable.

#4347391 - 03/28/17 05:16 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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Dart Offline
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Lifer

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Well, sh*t.

All the good stuff everyone already said and a bit of whisky raised in best hopes and a small word with the Almighty over the matter on my end.


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#4347397 - 03/28/17 06:13 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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Coasty, we are all thinking of you. Just ride the train to the end of the line. All anyone can do is their best, your attitude is good and rumour has it that half the battle is your attitude. I dunno, but it can't do any harm.


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#4347419 - 03/28/17 11:11 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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Coasty, I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. I hope this diagnosis turns out to be incorrect and I wish you the best.


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#4347567 - 03/29/17 05:06 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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Coasty - get on it, and get on it now.

My grandfather got it around his late sixties, he died by 73 of cancer, but the Parkinsons stopped his walking way before the cancer killed him.....

That was mid 1990's. And he had good money/insurance...

Use every tool you can find/afford to fight it.

2017 tech (assuming access to it) is way beyond 1995 tech.....

#4347572 - 03/29/17 05:33 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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Good luck with all of it.

COPD probably was diagnosed via a chest xray. They can look at an xray and see changes that indicate early COPD. A lot of us have early signs and as long as you are not having shortness of breath or other issues it probably will be just watched. You were smart to stop smoking early.

As for the Parkinson's, it can be a deal changer but there are medications that help diminish the effects. The most common is a levodopa/carbodopa pill that increases the dopamine levels in the brain and helps with the tremors. There are some other therapies that are looking promising. Hopefully they will be commonplace before it gets bad.


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#4347575 - 03/29/17 06:03 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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I couldn't say anything better than what's already been said, but I'll add one thought...

Now is the time, if you need to (and maybe you don't) to make any lifestyle adjustments. I have continual aches, pains and inflammations that travel around my body (at times enough to truly concern me) but when I'm on top of my diet and exercise, they seem to be much milder. Maybe it's weight related, maybe previous lifestyle damage, I don't know. But I can tell the difference when I slip up, even for just a week or so, my body begins to protest (getting worse as I get older).

Anyway, good luck and here's to hoping the MRI proves negative. I was told once (2007?) that I was starting with Macular Degeneration and before that I was asked if I was diabetic, apparently my eyeballs suggested that I was. But those problems disappeared after lifestyle changes.



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#4347784 - 03/30/17 03:09 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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coasty Offline
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I guess the first thing I have to do is to find out the time table my Dr. plans on trying some of the medicine, which will either confirm or eliminate Parkinson's. From what I've been reading my diet is good for dopamine production and my level of exercise is good. My son does yoga and has already taught me some stretching poses, and recommended Ti chi . All your support helps.


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#4347787 - 03/30/17 04:27 AM Re: parkinsons disease? [Re: coasty]  
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Sorry to hear this news coasty. Will keep you in my thoughts.


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