Recently Diagnosed
Can You Die From Parkinson’s?
Most people's life expectancy won't change much because of Parkinson's. But, some of the more advanced symptoms can lead to increased disability and poor health, which can make someone more vulnerable to infection. The most important thing is to try to manage your condition as best you can with the support of specialist healthcare professionals and your carepartner.
What Happens With A New Diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease?
Hearing the words, “You have Parkinson’s disease,” is life changing. For some, a Parkinson’s diagnosis may mark the end of a long and frustrating search to explain a collection of different and seemingly disconnected symptoms. For others, a Parkinson’s diagnosis is a complete shock, filled with feelings of disbelief and despair. For everyone, a Parkinson’s diagnosis brings a new and unexpected journey.
Parkinson’s is not life-threatening, but it is progressive. This means that symptoms and effects of Parkinson’s will change and get worse over time. Parkinson’s is also very complex and can affect many parts of the body, ranging from how you move to how you feel to how you think and process. When you are first diagnosed, the sheer amount of information and the uniqueness of each person’s experience of Parkinson’s can be incredibly overwhelming.
Many people with Parkinson’s lead active and fulfilling lives. An important part of coping with Parkinson’s is understanding how it affects you and how to manage it. It may not always be easy to maintain a positive outlook, especially immediately after diagnosis, but continue to search for information and support.
Parkinson’s is not life-threatening, but it is progressive. This means that symptoms and effects of Parkinson’s will change and get worse over time. Parkinson’s is also very complex and can affect many parts of the body, ranging from how you move to how you feel to how you think and process. When you are first diagnosed, the sheer amount of information and the uniqueness of each person’s experience of Parkinson’s can be incredibly overwhelming.
Many people with Parkinson’s lead active and fulfilling lives. An important part of coping with Parkinson’s is understanding how it affects you and how to manage it. It may not always be easy to maintain a positive outlook, especially immediately after diagnosis, but continue to search for information and support.
How To Live Well With PD?
Since Parkinson’s affects everyone differently, the specific ways you choose to live well will be unique and will change over time. A positive attitude, staying engaged in your own health, consistently exercising and making a commitment to take action are steps everyone living with Parkinson’s can take to continue to live well.
Experiences of people living with Parkinson’s continue to show the incredible impacts simple lifestyle changes like stress reduction, getting enough sleep, a healthy diet rich in nutrients and exercise can have on not just your quality of life, but the actual experience of Parkinson’s symptoms. Research also suggests exercise may even help protect the areas of the brain affected by Parkinson’s from getting worse (a phenomenon known as neuroprotection), which may slow the progression of Parkinson’s.
Experiences of people living with Parkinson’s continue to show the incredible impacts simple lifestyle changes like stress reduction, getting enough sleep, a healthy diet rich in nutrients and exercise can have on not just your quality of life, but the actual experience of Parkinson’s symptoms. Research also suggests exercise may even help protect the areas of the brain affected by Parkinson’s from getting worse (a phenomenon known as neuroprotection), which may slow the progression of Parkinson’s.
"In fact, Parkinson's has made me a better person, a better husband, father and overall human being." - Michael J. Fox
How Does Parkinson's Progress?
Parkinson's affects everyone differently. The symptoms and how quickly the condition develops will differ from one person to the next. For many people, the condition can take years to progress to a point where it has a real impact on their daily life.
The symptoms most often associated with Parkinson's are tremor, rigidity (stiffness) and slowness of movement. Not everyone with Parkinson's experiences the same combination of symptoms. Also, how Parkinson’s affects an individual can change from day to day, or even from hour to hour – symptoms that may be noticeable one day may not be a problem the next. Many of the symptoms can be treated or managed with medication and therapies.
The symptoms most often associated with Parkinson's are tremor, rigidity (stiffness) and slowness of movement. Not everyone with Parkinson's experiences the same combination of symptoms. Also, how Parkinson’s affects an individual can change from day to day, or even from hour to hour – symptoms that may be noticeable one day may not be a problem the next. Many of the symptoms can be treated or managed with medication and therapies.
Is There A Cure For PD?
At the moment, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. Across the globe, research continues in search of therapies to treat symptoms and ultimately the cure. Researchers have made enormous strides in understanding the condition PD and in the development of treatments and therapies, still the search for a cure is ongoing.
Is There Support for Younger People with Parkinson’s?
Parkinson's isn't just an older person's condition. But people often think it is, and that can be alienating for younger people who are living with the disease. Being diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's is a particular challenge. Individuals who are living with this challenge are encouraged to seek support, researching all the potential options available to manage the condition.
What To Do After A PD Diagnosis?
If you've just been diagnosed with Parkinson's, you may find it helpful to think about questions to ask your medical professional at your next appointment. Making a list of the questions you want to ask will help you feel more prepared.
Make your questions as concise as possible, you may even want to give your list to your medical professional at the beginning of the appointment. If anything is said that you don’t understand, it is appropriate to ask for a clarification. It is best to full grasp what you need to do when you get home.
Some questions you may want to ask include:
Remember that many healthcare appointments can be short. If you have several things you want to talk about, tell the receptionist when you call to make an appointment. They may be able to schedule the amount of time that you need.
Make your questions as concise as possible, you may even want to give your list to your medical professional at the beginning of the appointment. If anything is said that you don’t understand, it is appropriate to ask for a clarification. It is best to full grasp what you need to do when you get home.
Some questions you may want to ask include:
- I’m concerned about a particular symptom. What can help?
- How soon should I start medication?
- What type of side effects might I get from my medication?
- I have another medical condition as well as Parkinson’s. What should I do?
- Which other health professionals can help me?
- I'm feeling stressed and down about my diagnosis. What do I do about it?
- How often will I see you? When will I have my next appointment?
- Can I have more time with you?
Remember that many healthcare appointments can be short. If you have several things you want to talk about, tell the receptionist when you call to make an appointment. They may be able to schedule the amount of time that you need.
Can You Drive With PD?
Most likely yes, in the early stages and if you take medicines that control your symptoms. Staying fit and active will help maintain the muscle strength you need to drive.
How do I know if I can drive safely?
Click Here for links to alternative local transportation options.
How do I know if I can drive safely?
- Ask a trusted friend or family member to provide honest input about your driving skills.
- Take an assessment through your local DMV or your physician may refer you for an assessment.
- If you need to address your driving skills with DMV in the state of California, you will be scheduled for a DRIVER SAFETY REEXAMINATION. The reexamination is conducted in-person by a DMV hearing officer.
- You will be required to take a written test and you may also be required to take a vision test. If you pass the written test and the hearing officer determines that a SUPPLEMENTAL DRIVING TEST is appropriate, you will be scheduled for one. If you pass the Supplemental driving test, you will be allowed to continue driving, but you will be scheduled for another reexamination within 6 to 12 months to reassess your driving abilities.
Click Here for links to alternative local transportation options.
Can You Still Work With Parkinson's?
Many people with Parkinson's continue to work for a long time after diagnosis. However, you may need to make some adjustments.
Everyone with Parkinson's experiences it differently and the decisions you make will depend on your personal circumstances. The best thing you can do is get as much information as you can about your options regarding your employment and financial planning. If your treatment is carefully managed and you have plenty of support, it could be possible to continue working for as long as you want to.
Making adjustments to help you stay in work could include the following:
Everyone with Parkinson's experiences it differently and the decisions you make will depend on your personal circumstances. The best thing you can do is get as much information as you can about your options regarding your employment and financial planning. If your treatment is carefully managed and you have plenty of support, it could be possible to continue working for as long as you want to.
Making adjustments to help you stay in work could include the following:
- Make sure your treatment is appropriately managed. Talk to your Parkinson’s specialist.
- Ask an occupational therapist for help if you're having practical problems at work. Speak to your employer about getting an assessment.
- Talk to your employer about what support is available. Remember that your employer has a duty to offer support and make reasonable changes.
- Think about the type of job you have and how your condition affects you. Some jobs are more compatible with Parkinson's than others, so you may find it helpful to consider alternative employment.
Sources for this page include:
Davis Phinney Foundation. Newly Diagnosed. Retrieved from https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/parkinsons-101/newly-diagnosed/
Parkinson's UK. How Does Parkinson's Progress?; Talking To Your GP, Specialist or Nurse about Parkinson's; and Work and Parkinson's. Retrieved from https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/
National Pakinson Foundation. Driving With PD. Retrieved from http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-well/activities-of-daily-living/driving-with-pd
Davis Phinney Foundation. Newly Diagnosed. Retrieved from https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/parkinsons-101/newly-diagnosed/
Parkinson's UK. How Does Parkinson's Progress?; Talking To Your GP, Specialist or Nurse about Parkinson's; and Work and Parkinson's. Retrieved from https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/
National Pakinson Foundation. Driving With PD. Retrieved from http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-well/activities-of-daily-living/driving-with-pd
Tips On Living Well With Parkinson's
The Davis Phinney Foundation recommends the following tips to take action after being diagnosed to continue to live well with Parkinson’s:
- Listen. Start to pay more attention to your body and report any changes to your healthcare team. Listen also to family and friends who may see changes in you.
- Think holistically. Holistic health means that you look at the whole body and take an integrated approach. Every part of you is connected to and influenced by the other parts of you, so it is important to address Parkinson’s through the whole picture of lifestyle, diet, exercise, stress management, relationships and personal and spiritual care and growth.
- Be informed. Learn how personal and lifestyle habits can impact the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
- Be prepared. Prepare for your medical appointments in order to get the best results from your time with the doctor.
- Be your own best advocate. Talk with your healthcare team about your goals and concerns. Make them aware of areas you want to improve.
- Prioritize the symptoms you can change. This may mean taking medicines on time to limit symptoms or beginning rehabilitative therapy to improve posture or volume of your voice or renewing your commitment to exercise and eating a healthy diet.
- Learn to live with the symptoms you can’t change. Start to learn different ways to live with the reality of symptoms as you manage them or ways to manage those symptoms that may be less responsive to the various therapies.
- Be engaged. Seek out support from people with whom you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and concerns including people you trust (family and friends), support groups, group exercise friends, and small groups of other people living with Parkinson’s who encourage and inspire you.
- Stay positive. A positive attitude keeps the focus on what you can do, not what you can’t. It fosters hope. If you’re having a bad day, search for unique daily victories and remember tomorrow will bring another opportunity to live well.
- Learn about clinical research trials that may be available to people with early Parkinson’s. Many researchers seek to understand the impact of medicines in early disease before any other medicine has been started, and they are always looking for participants
Davis Phinney Foundation. Tips on Living Well with Parkinson's. Retrieved from https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/parkinsons-101/newly-diagnosed/