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Learning to Live with the Invasion of Parkinson's

Denial is usually the first stage of living with Parkinson's disease. Denial can manifest itself in several forms from questioning the doctor's diagnosis to garnering multiple medical opinions in the hopes that the diagnosis is incorrect. Disregarding medical appointments and canceling additional medical testing is common as is refusing to tell loved ones about the problem. Denying drug treatment that can alleviate symptoms is not uncommon either. The only thing that denial seems to help in Parkinson's patients is the development of the attitude that nothing is going them down and that the disease would not control their life.

Parkinson's disease is a major transition because one day good health seems to be in the picture and the next is juggling medications and dealing with a progressive disease for which there is no cure. Psychological issues are the primary problem in the beginning of the Parkinson's reign. Acceptance of the disease is gradual but once it is accepted, patients typically go full blast in pushing the symptoms away with treatments as long as possible.

A person's sense of identity is threatened and as a result, they may not share with family, friends or co-workers their Parkinson's diagnosis for a while. They worry about how their job and livelihood will be affected. Roles as a parent and spouse and pondered and they wonder how other relationships are going to be affected when the diagnosis is brought to light. How is their independence affected and what changes will the disease bring into their life? The ultimate concern is the eventual loss of independence and the need for outside help.

Changes in lifestyle will need to occur but most patients stubbornly cling to their old ways for as long as possible before the symptoms of Parkinson's is too pronounced to ignore. Patients need to examine their life at work and at home to see what adaptations can be made without changing the quality of the workplace and home. For work, perhaps specific activities can be scheduled for those times when the medication is working at its best. For home life, relinquishing some of the driving and cooking might help or the hiring of a neighborhood kid to cut the lawn. Should a lunch hour be re-arranged to accommodate a nap or job duties change if there is some element of danger?

The eventual role reversal in marriages can strain any relationship so it is important for communication to be paramount. Parkinson's disease does eventually require more work on the part of the patient as well as the family, especially when certain tasks can no longer be accomplished without assistance. Being up front early on in the disease and anticipating when certain tasks can no longer be accomplished can go a long way in preparing for the day.

Implemental aids for mobility can be a real insult at first to someone independent and has Parkinson's disease. Again, denial rears its ugly head and only when it is almost impossible to deal with a mobility issue does a patient succumb to using a wheelchair, cane or some other auxiliary aid.

The last stage of learning to live with Parkinson's disease is acceptance. Until a patient fully accepts their fate, treatment to slow the disease and prolong independence will likely fail.