I am starting to fight with my husband every day now and I think I am losing my mind. I don’t know if I can hold it together much longer and I winder if we should live apart. I feel as if I am abandoning him when he needs me yet he is pushing me away. I hope I can last another week.

I got PD dx last year at 56, but think I had compulsive buying for years before that. Are we saying with PD, even before meds start, we get a dopamine “high” when we buy too many things and that makes us happy for awhile? Same with sex? Is this correct understanding? If so, most PD literature makes it sound like this only happens under agonist medications.

I am here for you all. As my partner's disease has progressed, we have discovered that living in separate houses has helped us both to strengthen our bond and allows him to live independently as long as possible. He has compulsive behaviors and poor judgment. However, for my mental health this is the best option. I often feel that he uses his disease to get attention, but then feel ashamed for thinking that. It's a very delicate balancing act being a caregiver!

Thank you for your post, very enlightening. My boyfriend has PD, we live together. Lately I never know who I will wake up to in the morning, Mr. Grumpy( controlling, argument I've), Mr. Sad Silent , Mr. Mania ( reckless spending, selfish behavior)
Your post has helped me so very much. Hugs to you for being Frank and honest

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member Too early to tell what effects the reduced mirapex.have. I am now taking Seroquel which is suppose to help with anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations. The mirapex helped bring these symptoms on. I do not rely on porn, I would say that we still have an on going sex life, minus the other life events that kee0 some couples from having onel I do agree that the more sex between a PD afflicted person and their partner the more secure the relationship is for that person.

I see this OCD behavior increasing but more towards purchases tools, clothes, dinning out and big tipping. It is hard to stay alert and aware of your parkinsons driven behavior. Sometimes I feel as if I use Parkinsons as an excuse for improper behavior but than I realize that is not me, not who I used to be - this type of impulsive, reckless, behavior raised its head in 2004 even before I knew what PD was and how serious it could be.

For instance, I returned from Iraq in 2004, around 2005 I started not acting like myself doing things out of character. Tripping over the imaginery crack every 25 steps and having my youngest tell me I never smile anymore woke me up to begin my PD journey - Kumite (Japanese for formalized fighting) Quest just means my journey to learn how to live with the disease.

I had lived a much more and very physical life style, track, martial arts, 29 and a half years in the military until I realized I could not function at the level I needed to anymore - oh well life goes on and on.

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