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Submitted by Kausambi on 18 October 2017

Coping with the disease

PatientsEngage

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 06:08

Hi Kausambi, great to hear from you. Please share some tips for others to follow. And if you have a question, please go ahead and ask

My father is suffering from parkinsons disease since 6years.He is 75now.it first appeared as slight tremors in hand with slurred speech. The neurologist said it was parkinsons. He had been an active and independent person all his life. It was difficult for him to accept this disease. It is not a life threatening disease but certainly a debilitating disease which slowly kills your self confidence and esteem.

PatientsEngage

Thu, 10/19/2017 - 11:21

You are so right Kausambi. Its often difficult to accept a condition especially if you have been active and independent. Its equally difficult for us to see our parents lose self confidence. Its important to keep them as active and engaged as possible.

My father is still going strong at 75.he doesn't want to be defeated by physical inability. A physiotherapist comes 4days for his body exercises, speech and facial exercises. He makes his own tea till today. His will power is strong. But recently he has developed certain symptoms like lack of bladder control especially at night, frequent urination at night, seeing some illusions and probably hallucinations. Some days he is perfect but on some days he is low. He takes medicines like syndopa plus, pramiprex, rasalect1mg, evion 400mgand adcapone. The neurologist said that these symptoms will gradually arise and there is nothing much that we can do about it. I have read that parkinsons is a disease that needs individualised treatment so we have maintained a renowned neurologist of Kolkata for his treatment and consultation. Can you suggest something that can make his life better... Coz every parkinsons patient feels why me??? If I didn't have this disease, I would have had a better life.

Kausambi, you and your father seem to be on the very right track..
Taking care of oneself after diagnosis of PD requires lot of motivation and daily routine.
Sometimes that reduces with progress of the disease, which is when the family has to step in with ever increasing involvement with the person.
The practical guidelines on everyday basis are

Exercise routine ..walking, physiotherapy and yoga ...to the extent possible.
Certain daily chores given to the person...... personal hygiene and simple home tasks...
Nourishing diet ..proteins,vitamins, calcium.
Company during meals and exercise ..
Constant psychological support.
Reassurance about incontinence

To remember PD is a progressive disease but one can greatly improve the quality of life with measures ..

Important for the care givers to keep fit,mentally and physically and psychologically.