John and Julie – Interview 02
John’s symptoms started in 1999. He now has difficulty getting dressed and he is slower with walking, but he is grateful that his symptoms have progressed slowly.
In 1999, John’s handwriting was getting very small and he noticed his legs were becoming weak and his arms were stiff. He saw a neurologist who sent him for an MRI scan which took place three months later. The neurologist prescribed Sinemet which caused a noticeable improvement in the stiffness in his arms, and John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In 2005, John also started taking Ropinirole, which made him sleepy.
Getting out of bed and turning in bed has become increasingly difficult and he now uses a cord which he attaches to one leg of the bed, which helps him to move more easily. He is now slower at dressing and at walking, but he is grateful that his symptoms have progressed slowly.
He would like to see more data collection taking place of the medication that other people with Parkinson’s disease are taking.
John and Julie advise others who are newly diagnosed not to panic or get too worried because their symptoms may progress slowly and the medication that is available works very well.