“The worst day of this disease was the day I was diagnosed. The best day was when I understood that I could do something about it. It gave me back a sense of control in my life, and some power.” --Phyllis, 63, five years after diagnosis
If you or someone close to you has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), you are likely experiencing many emotions and have many concerns and questions.
Remember that you are not alone. As many as one million people in the US and 4.1 million worldwide have Parkinson’s disease. These estimates do not account for cases of PD that are unreported, undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
With a diagnosis now in hand and the freedom to learn at your own pace, you can begin to understand PD and its treatments and the role they will play in your life. Your diagnosis can be the first step to taking charge of your life with Parkinson’s disease.
It is common for many people to experience a wide arrange of emotions upon diagnosis from shock, to anger and even to sometimes a sense relief at being able to name symptoms (perhaps a small tremor or weaknesses) that have gone unexplained or misdiagnosed for years. Hear from others who may have had an experience similar to yours.
You will need time to adjust to the new diagnosis, so educate yourself about PD – slowly. PDF provides informative publications and website, a hotline, suggestions of local support groups and physicians and webcast and video resources to help you and your family cope and become informed.
