LIFE’S TURNING POINT
Hello everyone, I wish to share my journey as a Parkinson’s patient with all the readers. My aim is to spread awareness of what Parkinson’s patients might be missing out on ,which I have noticed after meeting many of such cases. It all started with just a muscle twitch and before I could understand the severity of the circumstances I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s back in 2012 (at the age of 55). It hit me like a storm. I went through different stages of grief. Firstly it was denial, I took several opinions to prove it wrong, but alas all in vain. I could not believe my doctor’s diagnosis, as he had not asked me to undergo any specific test related to Parkinson’s. Soon I realized I was wrong as there is no test for Parkinson’s similar to hypertension or diabetes. Then came anger with the big question “Why me?”, I was so disciplined about my diet, exercise and work schedule. Finally came the most difficult phase which is acceptance but as rightly said.
“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation, it means understanding that something is what it is and there’s got to be a way through it.”
-Michael J. Fox
Sooner the better.
I decided to think, plan, and implicate how things would work out in these coming 5 to 10 years. Staying active is a key to help yourself deteriorate slower, which is exactly what I did. This journey is not just about me, it also includes my loved ones. I knew from day one that, if I stayed in a better condition they would suffer less. Everyday is not going to be the same. You need to remind yourself “YOU CAN’T GIVE UP”. I had started medication as it is the first solution which is put before you as you get diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I am not a strong supporter of medications but it’s true that currently it’s the only possible symptomatic solution. When I compared the side effects of these medications , I soon realised that you can’t be relying on only medication for the rest of your life. I had to try many alternative medical treatments in addition to various changes in my diet, daily routine, sleep patterns, exercise schedule which is all research based. One thing I can surely say is that Parkinson’s can’t be handled just with medication or exercise. I feel it needs an holistic approach which is lacking in the current professional medical practice. Going forward, I would be sharing what life has taught me about Parkinson’s in these past 8 yrs.