A couple of years ago I noticed after exerting myself or lifting heavy items my left arm felt strange. It was weak and jelly like. I kept noticing it but dismissing it. After a year of the odd feelings in my arm and hand I decided to mention it to my doctor. He thought I had a pinched nerve in my neck so put my name down for some physiotherapy. Four sessions later with William the physio it had made no difference. Now I was noticing I was having difficulty holding and using a fork. I still ignored it and put it to the back of my mind.
The next odd thing that started happening was my balance was getting worse. A couple of years before I had investigations for vestibular problems which caused me balance issues. Now this was returning with vengeance. I was finding it difficult to walk or do anything without feeling dizzy or falling about. The other thing I noticed was I was having difficulty going to the toilet. I would be 10-15 minutes on the toilet just going for a wee. I had bad constipation as well. At this point I started to Google all these things. Every search the word Parkinson’s would be in the results. Off to the doctors I went mentioned all these things I was experiencing but true to the GP tradition he started to treat me for each individual thing. I had my prostrate checked and that was OK. I reframe from dropping in the idea that I could have Parkinson’s as the doctor might dismiss me as a crazy Googler.
Life went on with Vestibular exercises, constipation sachet and trying to put all the symptoms out of my mind.
My balance was get worse despite me using all the techniques I had been taught by the hospital. I then started to feel really tired all the time. My sleep was getting bad, waking up all the time I started to go into quite a depression, to an all time low. Back to the doctor. I was then prescribed antidepressants. After about a month we realised I needed a higher dose. Again Googling all this, it again through out Parkinson’s.
I started to notice that I felt weak muscle wise. Occasionally I would shake doing something using all my strength. Then one evening I was watching TV and it was one of those emotional dramas. I noticed my right hand started to shake. i then started to notice this in times of stress or emotion.
Off to the doctor again. this time I thought with a slight tremor and all the other symptoms he would put it all together and refer me. This time he made me walk up and down his room and actually said he did not think it was Parkinson’s. He then gave me a blood test form for a full blood check. About a week later I had a call from the surgery to go in and discuss my blood test
Off to the doctor again. Sat down and was told my blood sugar was elevated into the area where I was labelled type 2 diabetic. Not what I wanted to here. He told me I had to see the diabetic nurse for advice. To the front desk I went and made an appointment to see the nurse.
Off to see the nurse.She gave me leaflets on type 2 diabetes and told me she would book me into what is called a Desmond day. This is a whole day with two nurses who educate all about type 2. The whole time of going to these appointments and Desmond days my balance was really bad my right hand had a tremor and I still had not got it sorted out.
By this time it was the beginning of June and I had started back in January determined to sort it out. I logged on to the doctors site and decided to make an appointment with my own doctor. There was a nice and early appointment te following week.
Off to see the doctor again. This time my own doctor. I was quite stressed and my tremor was quite easy to see. By this time, I had noticed I was having difficulty walking the dog and getting in and out of chairs. So armed with this information I went into see her. She listened and then examined me. She ended up saying “um, there is definitely something going on, I’d like you to see a neurologist”. So do I, I thought. Having private insurance with my company I asked he for an open referral letter. This was ready a couple of days later.
A week later I had an appointment with a neurologist at a private hospital in Winchester. My wife came with me for support. The stress of the situation made my anxiety and tremor bad. It was after just a few tests and listening to my story, he said I had Parkinson’s. From that point I felt I had something to work with. How I coped and put together my life again I will bring to you in part two.
John Scotter Blog 
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