[stuart-maxwell]

Hi John

i play golf weekly and go to the gym 3 times a week. I find golf doesn’t tire me out as much as rigorous exercise.

i used to suffer from leg cramps most nights but these have now disappeared since I learned to stretch out my muscles properly. I do this every night now regardless of whether I have exercised or not and sleep so well these days.

Best

stuart

 

[stuart-maxwell]

Hi Mary Beth

Despite the doctors saying I had IBS in hindsight I feel it was just a symptom of PD ie bloating and constipation. I had no pain but just felt full and fat though now I hardly notice it.

Best

 

Stuart

[stuart-maxwell]

Hi Duane

Yes the neurologist confirmed night sweats are a symptom of PD – well in my case it was and still is to varying degrees.

Best

Stuart

[stuart-maxwell]

Hi Jean

I did feel relief to start with knowing what is was I had but……..then the demons started entering my head, how quickly will it progress, what type of PD did I have? etc

it took me about a year to get my head around everything and seeing my neurologist every 6 months really helps as he’s very positive. Since my diagnosis in 2016 my symptoms haven’t worsened a great deal so I’m hoping it is a slow burner.

Best

Stuart

[stuart-maxwell]

Hi Jean

Sorry yes my mistake, it was a DATscan.

Best

Stuart

 

[stuart-maxwell]

I was diagnosed in 2016 at the age of 57 however I knew soemthing wasn’t right about 4- 5 years before this when my stomach started to bloat and I had bouts of constipation which, after having cameras up and down, was incoreectly diagnosed as IBS.

As Managing Director of a large company I had started to feel much less confident when giving presentations and my concentration levels were not as sharp as they were. My handwriting started to get worse in 2015 and my voice had started to soften especially in a crowded environment plus. I also noticed the odd slurred word and had started to feel anxious that something was seriously wrong with me, not helped by some night sweating, and aching legs resulting in a lack of sleep. My best friend had also noticed I wsa  a bit slower in my movement.

After researching my symptoms on the internet I was pretty certain that I had PD so went off to my doctor who was adamant that I didn’t have PD as there was no tremor and no obvious signs. I asked to be referred to a neurologist and all the physical tests he carried out were negative though he did notice I didn’t blink much and as I had private health cover, suggested a PETscan. The scan in April 2016 confirmed I had PD.

Immediately following the diagnosis I felt full of fear and anxiety but that soon passed. The neurologist who I continue to see every 6 months is great and keeps me motiavted. I currently have no mobility problems and am playing the best golf of my life. Since diagnosis I take co-careldopa 3 times a day and rasgailine but don’t feel any benefits and to be honest, I wish I hadn’t started. I  take a number of supplements and still have no tremor and my smell and taste senses are good. and the only symptoms which really bother me are the slightly masked face, soft voice plus some days I do feel a bit tired especially following some strenuous activity. I also still have the occasional night sweat but some leg stretching before bed keeps the aches away and I now sleep very well.

All in all I’m in prertty good shape but realise it won’t always be this way so try to live everyday to the full.