Geraldine - Interview 28

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Geraldine, was 40 when she was first diagnosed with PD. She had recently divorced and had 3 young children. During the next few years she continued to manage both family and very busy working lives. For 7 years her only medication was Ropinerole, though while on this she experienced very distressing side effects, projectile vomiting and constipation. As her symptoms gradually progressed Sinemet was added to this. She continued to work as CEO of two major charities various charities ending up in charge of the Charity Commission a non-ministerial government department. As the levels of medication increased she found it increasingly difficult to balance the control of its symptoms against the problems of the disease itself. She found out that animal protein seriously inhibited the absorption of levadopa in the gut and now does much better on a low protein high carbohydrate diet. A year ago when she became very unwell due to infection from an impacted infected wisdom tooth which unbalanced her medication.
On retiring from the Commission Geraldine moved to Somerset. Her GP in London had been her mainstay and she was concerned about losing him. A GP has a very important holistic role to play. She was lucky to find a young GP who admitted to knowing very little about PD but who has made it his business to become knowledgeable and learn with her.
She has recently been put on Talcapone- a drug banned in America because of its known risk of causing serious liver damage. She has to be checked regularly for this but is otherwise amazed to find herself in better shape than at any time for many years. She recognizes a strong connection between her emotional state and her perception of her symptoms, but though avoiding stress and pressure obviously have a beneficial effect she doesn’t regret having continued in her very demanding work for as long as she did. She still continues to work on various committees and projects but is now more able to accept that some of this is best done at home.
Geraldine has become engaged to her childhood sweetheart who has recently come back into her life. He lives in Canada but it is highly unlikely she will be granted immigrant status as their constitution allows them to exclude people with long term medical conditions so at present they lead a complicated life between Canada and the UK. She believes that many PD sufferers are not aware of the benefits they should be entitled to. She receives the higher level of disability allowance, a mobility allowance and a pass to which entitles her to London taxis at a flat rate of £5.
Geraldine relies on a GP who has made it his business to become familiar with PD and the...

Geraldine relies on a GP who has made it his business to become familiar with PD and the...
I found that my saviour, there are two people who saved me really and set me on the right road to coping with it, one was my GP and one was the Parkinson’s disease nurse that I met when I was first hospitalised.
Geraldine believes that everybody with PD has to take laxatives every day.
Geraldine believes that everybody with PD has to take laxatives every day.
Geraldine finds her eyes tend to close involuntarily. Her friend, however, who also had PD has...
Geraldine finds her eyes tend to close involuntarily. Her friend, however, who also had PD has...
Geraldine needed help when she would freeze while out walking and describes how some people...
Geraldine needed help when she would freeze while out walking and describes how some people...
Geraldine describes freezing while out in the street and why it is a problem getting herself...
Geraldine describes freezing while out in the street and why it is a problem getting herself...
Geraldine continued to hold increasingly demanding executive jobs in the voluntary sector and was...
Geraldine continued to hold increasingly demanding executive jobs in the voluntary sector and was...
Geraldine would love a day off from having Parkinsons disease but knows it is not possible.
Geraldine would love a day off from having Parkinsons disease but knows it is not possible.
But you don’t have a day off.
It won’t let you, you know, it isn’t that.
Even when you get your tablets exactly right or.
No, because you’re having to concentrate on remembering to get the tablets exactly right, you know. Because I can never just put down my bag, forget my tablets and go somewhere, you know. Always before I go out the house I have to put these tablets, water, food to eat in between times because they don’t take properly if I don’t.
Geraldine is intrigued by the curious coincidence that several of her contemporaries from...
Geraldine is intrigued by the curious coincidence that several of her contemporaries from...
Geraldine had been on a dopamine agonist for 7 years but as her symptoms got worse she agreed to...

Geraldine had been on a dopamine agonist for 7 years but as her symptoms got worse she agreed to...
For many years Geraldine found that finding a time when she could safely eat was almost impossible.
For many years Geraldine found that finding a time when she could safely eat was almost impossible.
Sometimes Geraldine will go off soon after a dose of Sinemet.
Sometimes Geraldine will go off soon after a dose of Sinemet.
Geraldine was on ropinirole for five years. She was aware this was not always the first drug to...
Geraldine was on ropinirole for five years. She was aware this was not always the first drug to...
Geraldine who has had PD for 18 years feels better than she has for years since tolcapone was...
Geraldine who has had PD for 18 years feels better than she has for years since tolcapone was...
Geraldines complicated regimen allows her to lead a full and active life after 18 years with...
Geraldines complicated regimen allows her to lead a full and active life after 18 years with...
Geraldine feels that academic rivalries hinder the progress of research and that people with...
Geraldine feels that academic rivalries hinder the progress of research and that people with...
Geraldine described why she decided to register with a new young GP, who has helped her to cope.
Geraldine described why she decided to register with a new young GP, who has helped her to cope.
Geraldine chooses therapies which suit her particular needs. She now uses yoga to help with her...
Geraldine chooses therapies which suit her particular needs. She now uses yoga to help with her...
Geraldine is determined not to give in.
Geraldine is determined not to give in.