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Thursday, September 2, 2010

My Parkinson's Disease
The Story Behind The Story - Part 1

by David L. Cram, M.D.

Why am I feeling so tired?

My Parkinson's disease began in 1989 when I began to feel periods of profound fatigue. I could not seem to get enough sleep even though I went to bed very early. (Parkinson's disease often has an insidious onset and in the early stages the afflicted may not even be aware of the early changes.) It was one of my patient's who on one memorable day took me aside and said: "Doctor Cram, you are a young man and yet the other day my husband and I saw you walking near the hospital and you were stooped over. You looked like an old man. Put your shoulders back and straighten up your posture." She meant well by her remarks but for me it felt like a knife in my heart to know that what was happening to me had become so obvious. My handwriting had also changed and pharmacists began to call my office to say they could no longer read my prescriptions.

It was my wife who first noticed the slowing of my movements and the shuffling of my feet. I could not believe I could be developing a neurological disease. I was at the pinnacle of my career. I at first did not seek out medical advice hoping the symptoms would go away.

As the symptoms progressed I had my wife draw a chalk line on our patio. If I could not walk this straight line without falling I would seek a neurological exam. I failed my test. A neurologist confirmed my diagnosis in August 1989. I was 55 years old.

On learning of my diagnosis I went through all kinds of emotional reactions such as anger, guilt, hostility, fear, resentment, denial, depression, and withdrawal. I was learning that having Parkinson's disease can turn your emotional and financial world upside down. The next instalment: Accepting the disease and doing something with my life.

Read about the Understanding Parkinson's Disease and how to order.

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