Parkinsons disease

Anyone else on Moparts been diagnosed with it? I guess I'm just wondering if dragracing is over for me.

No, but I believe the treatments have vastly improved over the last couple decades. As a kid, I worshipped Tigers baseball star Kirk Gibson (I had to forgive him for going to the Dodgers ). He was diagnosed a few years ago, and continues his broadcasting career. He has a foundation now too. Best wishes to a normal life with Parkinsons.

https://www.kirkgibsonfoundation.org/

Didn't know that about him. Thanks for the link.

You're welcome. He's a fighter and wins at whatever he does, so he and his foundation may be the ones to find the cure!!!! I sent a contribution

My Dad lived with it for 15+ yrs (his pic is my avatar). He passed in 2012 indirectly from Parkinsons (I'll explain). He lived 1400 miles away, so I don't know specifics of what his treatment was, or what he took, I can only share what I saw/heard on my visits up to see him.

My Dad had always been a self employed plumber/contractor, and he was able to continue with that (on a smaller scale) probably for close to 12 yrs. For my Dad, it didn't get really bad until the last 4 yrs or so.

I don't know the medicine he was taking, but it was specifically to help control the shaking. Problem was that if he took too much, he went off to left field, acted like he had dementia or something. He wouldn't know where he was and would talk about things that had no correlation to what was actually going on. I had no idea about this until one of the last 'pleasure' trips to see him. We decided to go somewhere to eat out. Being self conscious about his shaking, he took more of the medicine before we left. By the time we left the restaurant, he was talking about how he was glad to be done with that job, and at one point, tried to get out of the car at 70MPH thinking we were at his next job. Proper dosage, or no medicine, he didn't exhibit any of this.

The reason I say the Parkinsons got him 'indirectly' is because his work was his social outlet. When he could no longer work at all, his world suddenly got real small and I think it got to him (he lived alone, his wife had passed in 2000). While I can't say I'm 100% sure it was a suicide attempt, it sure looked like it. He passed a few months later. He was 71.

What was crazy with my Dad was that he smoked pretty much his whole life, and drank quite a bit for awhile there, but Parkinsons was they ONLY thing wrong with him.

From what I read back then, Parkinson is not hereditary, but can possibly be caused by certain toxins in the environment. I had read somewhere that lead exposure may be a cause. Well, he was a plumber, and worked with lead numerous times. Connection? I don't know, but it made me wonder.

As for drag racing, how far along are you with the Parkinson? You may be able to continue for awhile. My Dad never gave up driving, but that's not piloting a car at high speeds. Maybe you need to look at it in terms of being more like a crew chief? Or maybe take up demo derby instead?

Stay active, surround yourself with family and friends.

I'm sure you're aware, but there are plenty of successful treatments for Parkinson's Disease these days - much more than in the past. Assuming you have good health insurance, they even have surgical options available. If you're curious, google "deep brain stimulation." I had that surgery about 6 years ago for a similar, but different neurological movement disorder. Bottom line is that treatment for these types of diseases are much more successful than in the past. I'm betting you'll be fine.

How far or what stage not sure. Have more blood work to do then another Dr appt in 3 weeks. Shaking was getting bad ,mostly in the left arm and hand. Very noticeable loss of energy during the day. I drive a truck for a living so I've been limited to being a yard jockey.

There's been some really interesting research lately into links between gut bacteria and parkinsons.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-01-gut-bacteria-parkinson.html

There are also tentative links between gut bacteria and some different mental health issues.

Sterling Marlin has raced with Parkinson's

https://speedsociety.com/sterling-marlin-still-racing-competitively-at-66-with-parkinsons-disease/

My brother got it at 51 years old and has had it for 15 years, about the last 7 years in a nursing home and the end is near for him.

My father was diagnosed with it about 5 years ago. He mostly has the tremor in his left hand but has started occasionally in his right. It's manageable for him right now I think but I guess it's not going to get any better unfortunately. He retired last year as an electrician after 45 years. He still works on stuff around the house but not as much as would like to be able to I'm sure.
I don't know much about it, but I thought one thing he does to help with it is donate blood regularly. Apparently giving blood can lower excess iron levels in the body which helps with the shaking or so he was told by his doctor.

Not quite yet. I know someone who has it and still tinkers with round track cars and farm equipment here and there.

carnut - I hope you live long & prosper. All my best to you, & as others have said, there are many more ways of treating this than there used to be.

Great story, John, something to add about exposure to toxins related to Parkinson's: Michael J Fox from Back to the Future and Family ties has Parkinson's along with 3 other Crew members he worked with early in his career. It definitely makes you wonder.

Reading the responses on here are positive, glad to know there is hope! From one Truck Driver to another, I hope the best for you, Carnut.

My deceased father had it. the unmentioned statistic that is more ominous IMO is its often associated with Alzheimer's, although I am not aware there has been any direct connection between the two.

I have recently gained a novice golfing partner, who I have prodded in to staying active with golf, as any regular physical activity in a Parkinson diagnosis can be helpful. I tried to show him how to use a laser range finder on the course. In that he could not hold it steady and I was unsuccessful, we were both disappointed, but he still has fun playing golf, and that is good enough for me.

Good Luck, you are not alone, and life has no guarantees.

Friend has it , still racing .. he seems to be doing pretty well, .. watches his diet pretty close

best wishes to you also

Don't forget Michael J. Fox who got it young and has been dealing with it pretty publicly for over 20 years.
Our old neighbor had it for years and still golfed and was pretty active. I remember his wife telling us he never complained about it but she knew it was getting to him one year when he lost interest in the annual auto show which he looked forward to going to with a friend for years and years.

My understanding is there are different symptoms in different people. Hope you get that mapped out so you can evaluate what you are capable of.

My Dad is 87 and was diagnosed some 7 years ago.
His symptoms at first were a forward-leaning and short-stepping gait.
This has stayed the same and the progression has brought on an inability to find and speak the right words.
He stops mid-sentence and just can't get the word out. He can describe the word, the definition, just can't form it with his mouth.

Luckily his mind is all there, so I'm used to just taking a good long time on the phone with him. He is a stubborn SOB who hates medicine or any weakness.
He only recently accepted talking about his Parkinson's. He says he's doing OK on his meds, which includes an anti-depressant.
It's a little sad to take sooo long to have a conversation, but like I said I'm just ecstatic he is being treated and that his mind is still all there.

My step-father is 86 and has dementia some 4-5 years now, maybe longer. He's physically OK for his age, but the person he once was is all gone. That is sadder.

Best wishes,
- Art

Another common tell tale sign of Parkinson's, is a "mask face", in that normal facial expressions almost evaporate.

I have been reading all the posts. Thanks. I'm not giving up without a fight.

Glad to hear. Chin up. You are far from "over".
I'm no expert, but it sounds like your "fine motor" movements are affected, but not your 'major movements'. Do you feel like your reaction times are affected?
Let us know how things are going, be interested in knowing what your Docs say, prognosis, etc.
I think my Dad still drives, though he is no drag racer.

Cheers,
- Art

Started taking meds. Before that my left arm didn't /wouldn't do what brain told it to do like raise or extend. I sometimes had to use the other arm to get it going. Constant tremors. I drive a truck so for now I delegated myself to yard jockey. For the safety of others.