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By Yorkiefan3337 On 2016.12.04 00:18
Hi my name is Tina, my husband just has been diagnosed with PD, I believe he has had it since a while but undiagnosed, he is a very proud man and dislikes medicine and going to the doctor.
He has hallucinations and they scare me, it's harmless so far, but I don't know how far they can get dangerous for me perhaps 😔
Then the medicine, I'm afraid of the side effects for him, they cause so much terror, yikes, I wonder why even take them ?
He is on that dopamine med, that cause more hallucinations and dyskinesia, I know he doesn't want that.
He does not have many tremors at all, but cognitive issues.
I don't want to lose him like this 😔, the driving is another thing, I don't know how to convince him, his reaction time has slowed a bit and he is weaving. But he thinks it's okay still and it's in my mind. It takes the doctor or an officer to eventually stop him.
I have given up reading about this on the Internet too much, couldn't sleep anymore.
My heart and prayers are with all of you, thanks in advance and good night

By lurkingforacure On 2016.12.04 15:19
Hi Tina and welcome to our club:) Don't let what you read scare you: everyone's PD path is different, and it's all about finding what works as well as possible for your situation.

If I were you, I would try to find a PD specialist for my husband, not someone who just happens to treat PD along with a bunch of other neurological disorders. If you don't have that in your area, then hopefully you have access to a movement disorders specialist.

I'm sure others will chime in as well, but I also wanted to comment on the driving. If your husband's driving is even remotely affected, he needs to give it up. Do not wait until there is an accident and some innocent person is hurt. You could easily contact your insurance company and ask if your husband's PD diagnosis changes anything...my guess is they will no longer be willing to insure him.

It is not unheard of for an insurance company to deny coverage AFTER a PWP has had an accident, on the grounds that he/she with-held information (the PD diagnosis). Get it out there and in the open, so that you all can deal with it. You can let your husband know the insurance company will no longer cover him, if that is the case, and without insurance, he cannot legally drive (at least not in most places). If they are still willing to insure him, but at additional cost, you can decide if it is worth the extra money.

You could also have your husband talk to one of those personal injury lawyers, and ask him/her what kind of defense there might be if he were to have an accident, now knowing that he has a PD diagnosis. I don't think it's a matter of if a PWP driving has an accident, but when, and how bad it will be.

Sorry if I'm coming on strong about the driving, it's just that, unlike most things with PD, the PWP can actually prevent a driving accident by not getting behind that wheel.

By jcoff012 On 2016.12.04 15:50
Hi, Tina, try not to be scared. Parkinson's is different for all that have it. My husband was diagnosed over eight years ago and is still highly functioning...his biggest problems are worsening tremors, masking, and now he sways when he is standing and concentrating. But, he still drives, walks three to four miles a day, does Tai Chi daily, and has signed up for Rock Steady boxing in January.

That said, he is not the man I married almost fifty years ago...he is much more short tempered and loses patience easily...NOT like him! We know what to expect because his Mom had PD for 22+ years, so we aren't kidding ourselves.

All of us have or are scared at times, but you need to learn to accept PD as incurable and try to live the fullest, best life you can. You don't say how old you are. I am 68 and my husband will be 69 in March.

Come back often. Others will help you as much as possible. We are in this together. Hugs, Jane

By Trusting On 2016.12.06 22:47
Hi Tina. I don't know how many years ago I found this group but they have saved my sanity so many times. When I first came I wasn't afraid and I couldn't see what the big deal was about because caring for my husband then was easy. Now I come here to vent like so many others!
My husband agreed to take a drivers evaluation through our local VA hospital. He just knew he would pass with flying colors because he couldn't see that his driving was horrible. He didn't pass the first part of it and within a few days DOR contacted him to surrender his license. It hasn't been easy but it is such a comfort to know he's off the road.
Take one day at a time, come here often, and scream into this forum when you need to. We understand b/c we have all been on this journey that no one seems to understand but those of us going through it. Blessings and prayers to you.


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