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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 11 April 2016

Five-years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Nazim Lakhani still continues to question his fate. Why should I get Parkinson’s when I was healthy, active, not fat, eating well, walking two miles daily? 

Overall, I was a healthy man.  Although I was preoccupied with running my business and travelling extensively around the globe, there was one thing that has remained constant with me for the last decade or so – my morning walk. My walks in the morning were sacrosanct and uncompromising. There was nothing that stopped me from walking two miles early in the morning everyday. It assured me good healthy, kept me fit and able bodied.   

Trouble started for me when I was 65. I was in America that time. One day when I woke up, I felt mild tremors in my hands. I ignored it initially. There was no other symptom. No bodyache or headache or pain in the joints. “Oh...maybe I slept on the wrong side or overexerted my hand,” I thought dismissively.  “It must be something temporary.”

But the tremors persisted, not just the whole day, but even the next day and the following day and all days thereafter. I decided to visit a local doctor in America. The doctor gave him some routine medicines and said it would get better within a week or so.  Sometimes, there can be trembling of hands due to anxiety or blood sugar fluctuation, I reasoned with myself. I have been taking good care of myself walking two miles daily, it couldn’t be anything serious. Although, the tremors had begun to bother me a bit. When I was with somebody those days, I would deliberately clasp both my hands or place them on my lap. 

Two months passed by. The tremors did not stop.  Then one day I found my speech had become slightly slurred.  It was not clear as before. I also felt that i had slowed down in performing my day to day chores like tying my shoe laces or taking a shower. These tasks were performed in a jiffy and most unconsciously. But now I found took considerable amount of time just getting the laces in place. 
Still the doctor's diagnosis did not point to Parkinson’s. 

Signs and symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

It was nearly a year after these symptoms manifested themselves that a  neurologist in India finally diagnosed it as Parkinson’s. The mention of Parkinson’s sent a shiver down my spine. I just couldn’t believe that I could get Parkinson’s disease. I was healthy, active, not fat, eating well – then why should I get Parkinson’s. I have been walking everyday. Doesn’t Parkinson’s affect those whose muscles and nerves have become weak. I didn’t feel weak anywhere. 

Now I am 70. It has been 5 years since I was detected with Parkinson’s. I live alone. My children are settled in America.  I do all my work myself. I have a helper who comes to do my groceries and cook for me. I live on the second floor and never use the elevator. 

I feel the biggest change that has come over me since I got Parkinson’s is my speed. I do everything slowly now. Even at home where the environment is familiar, I shuffle around at a much slower pace. 
The second change which I find more annoying is my speech. I feel I am not able to participate in a group conversation with as much ease as before. I am unable to communicate clearly. Others are not able to understand me. There is a gap in my thinking, speaking and putting across my thoughts and feelings to others. The whole process takes a bit more time. Hence, I lose the thread of an ongoing conversation. I am not able to chip in or contribute instantly.  Sometimes I land up stuttering or my voice becomes hoarse. This bothers me and sometimes I feel like withdrawing from group interactions. 

Although, I am still totally independent. I travel on my own within the city and even outside the country. I go to the Mahalaxmi Race Course (Mumbai) three times a week to watch the races.  It took a long while to reconcile to Parkinson’s. When I see others in a worse state, it motivates me to push myself to keep fit, do my exercises and take my medicines regularly. I know there is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease, but by keeping positive and healthy, one can, probably, delay the degeneration. 
 

Other personal stories on Parkinson's

My Father's Parkinson's did not begin with tremors

A caregiver's perspective on Parkinson's

Parkinson's will not have me

 

 

 

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