Nice People 12: Nice in Nice

LydiaJ

chewmylegoff wrote: »

My dad turns 70 this year, he's been a bit shakey for a while, I think I knew exactly what it was but was hoping it was just general signs of ageing - it has now been confirmed as Parkinson's. Not great news, but no medication needed yet so that is presumably a good sign. I don't really want to google the carp out of it because all that will matter is how it affects him - but if someone else has had to deal with it in their family and knows a good source of information then I would appreciate the pointer.

Sending hugs, chewy.



Parkinson's is now thought to be not just one disease - there is classic Parkinson's and then there are other diseases that give you "Parkinsonism". They vary a lot, so until you know exactly what you've got, you've no idea how it's going to develop - so I applaud your non-googling policy.

My mum was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's. It turned out actually to be Lewy Body Dementia - which gives you Parkinson-type motor symptoms but also a gradual loss of mental processing (although not particularly affecting memory, so quite different from Alzheimer's).

My dad was the main person involved with her care - I was in the middle of dealing with my divorce and then LNE's death so didn't focus on getting as well informed about her situation as I might have done otherwise. But I do know they both found the Parkinson's Society helpful, and also the NHS had a specialist "Parkinson's nurse" that they were hugely appreciative of and grateful to. Don't know if that's of any help to you.

Hope you and Mrs chewy and the chewlets are all doing all right.

GDB2222

chewmylegoff wrote: »

My dad turns 70 this year, he's been a bit shakey for a while, I think I knew exactly what it was but was hoping it was just general signs of ageing - it has now been confirmed as Parkinson's. Not great news, but no medication needed yet so that is presumably a good sign. I don't really want to google the carp out of it because all that will matter is how it affects him - but if someone else has had to deal with it in their family and knows a good source of information then I would appreciate the pointer.

http://www.parkinsons.org.uk

But I expect you knew that.

Nikkster

Sorry to hear that Chewy. (Fortunately) I've got no experience of dealing with that so I am unable to help. Trying to resist the temptation to google the carp out of it sounds very sensible though.

Best wishes to your dad. He's not that much older than mine (not so surprising as I don't think you're that much older than I am, but still).

vivatifosi

lostinrates wrote: »

Dog dog expresses interest in the tv advert for the donkey sanctuary. She looks very perturbed by it all and keeps looking at me. I already said no to fir loads about donkeys, if dog dog and he gang up I'll be in trouble.

This is very weird. My mum and lurcher dog have a thing about the donkey sanctuary add too. Maybe we can stick together as kindred spirits. Must be a greyhound/greyhound mix thing.

vivatifosi

chewmylegoff wrote: »

My dad turns 70 this year, he's been a bit shakey for a while, I think I knew exactly what it was but was hoping it was just general signs of ageing - it has now been confirmed as Parkinson's. Not great news, but no medication needed yet so that is presumably a good sign. I don't really want to google the carp out of it because all that will matter is how it affects him - but if someone else has had to deal with it in their family and knows a good source of information then I would appreciate the pointer.

Really sorry to hear that chewy. I have no experience with Parkinsons so no leads here I'm afraid.

I know you are not a huggy person so I'm going to have to send you a virtual mint magnum instead.

lostinrates

A close friends mother has Parkinson's, Has coped very well with it for a decade and a half, though it haven't seen her for a while. For a long time she pretended she didn't have it. I suggested to the friend that the clasps of her jewellery might be changed or better perhaps augmented with magnetic fixings to prolonged her time wearing them (she is single). Unless your father wears an abnormal amount of jewellery for a chap that tip won't be useful though.

Doozergirl

I'm sorry, chewy. That's not great news at all.

Yorkie1

Sorry to hear the news, chewy. Hope you get support as well as your dad.

PasturesNew

chewmylegoff wrote: »

My dad turns 70 this year, he's been a bit shakey for a while, I think I knew exactly what it was but was hoping it was just general signs of ageing - it has now been confirmed as Parkinson's. Not great news, but no medication needed yet so that is presumably a good sign. I don't really want to google the carp out of it because all that will matter is how it affects him - but if someone else has had to deal with it in their family and knows a good source of information then I would appreciate the pointer.

I think I read something in the past fortnight that might have been "good news for Parkinsons" ... although I didn't take in more details than that as it's not been on my radar.

Found it - some procedure at Bristol that "cured" a bloke
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-110460/Parkinsons-cure-gave-life.html

Generali

Terrible news chewy. My experience with both cancer and Alzheimer's is that:

1. The NHS/big charity web pages are excellent
2. The world is full of people telling you that it's about to be cured because they read something in the Daily Mail

Use #1, ignore #2. Also get Old Ma Chewy to get on to her local support group. Life as a carer isn't much fun much of the time and if you're going to be miserable you might as well have company!