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It has not been awful but neither has it been much fun. At first it was mostly about fatigue but as time has passed it has affected my voice, slowed me down, caused bad constipation etc. Did I mention that I am non-tremor dominant.
Now my neck and shoulder area seems to be stiffer and also the muscles in my upper arms.
I occasionally have good days but they are fewer and fewer.
It all happens so slowly.
Im taking LOTS of Levodopa etc which seems to help.
I would appreciate your opinions.
IMU, the stages are basically determined by how much help you need to get through your day. If you can do everything without needing help, then you are still in the early stages, if you need help for some things, like driving and finances, but can still take care of yourself for the most part, then you're at a moderate stage. If you need help for most activities, like standing, going to the bathroom, bathing, cooking, eating, etc. then you're at an advanced stage. Look up the difference between Activities of Daily Living and Activities of Independent Living. @A MyParkinsonsTeam Member - it sounds like you are still at an early to moderate stage, as AI suggested.
Hey Donald & Nicole, I truly do not believe in stages. Why? Because everyone's journey with PD is different. I have been living with PD for 20 years now. According to the so called stages I would be a 4 verging onto 5. I am now where near that. Yes I use a walker but I am still able to enjoy cooking, painting and writing poetry. There are no 2 people that share the same symptoms of PD. Live your life the way you want to, do the things you love to do. If you get a chance to educate someone about PD take it. There is not enough awareness about PD, I am a string advocate for awareness. Parkinson's is the fastest growing disease in the world and in Canada were I am from. We diagnose roughly 50 or more people everyday. The thought of the stages scares me not for the reason of knowing what is next. I am afraid for the newly diagnosed reading it. How do you know what symptoms they have? This could tail spin some people into a huge depression. Please live your life to the best of your abilities while you can. Take each day as a blessing. Keep positive family and friends around you. Find your joy, painting, writing,cooking, swimming what ever it is enjoy it. When a new symptom appears make a work around it. Bottom line enjoy your life don't live to the stages, otherwise you are going to be scared and depressed. Yes it is good to have an idea of what to do we things get rough but don't dwell on it. I am here to help, I don't have all the answers and I don't know what your journey is, but I can listen if needed or share my story of PD with you.
Please keep living your life day to day.
@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member, I understand your point but I get comfort in knowing what stage I am in so I can plan and prepare. I have an almost 13yr old son and a soon-to-be-ex; I find comfort in knowing I have prepared myself for the inevitable conversation with my son when I find the need to have it about what my future and how it will impact him. No, I am not in denial, not experiencing depression or anxiety, nor "type casting" my performance. I am enjoying every day as it comes; I am not looking to predict my future, but to prepare for it. It just makes sense for me, and my situation. It may make sense for others' situations too. I don't ask why. You have your faith; I have my planning.
What stage of Parkinson's disease might you be experiencing based on your symptoms?
Based on what you're describing, you may be in stage 2 or possibly stage 2.5 of Parkinson's disease. Here's why:
Your symptoms suggest progression beyond stage 1. The changes in your voice, increased slowness, stiffness in your neck Show Full Answer
@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member - I found a Parkinson's 39-question questionnaire (PDQ-39) to review with your neurologist to help determine what stage you are in. I provide the link here: https://pdwarrior.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/0...
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