‘I thought my life was over after my diagnosis — but help is out there’

central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system.

The symptoms generally come on slowly over time.

Early in the disease, the most obvious symptoms are shaking, rigidity of muscles, slowness of movement, and difficulty with walking. Problems with sleep and bladder and bowel issues are also common, as are speech problems and difficulties with swallowing.

Sharon had to give up work as a packer in a city bakery as her condition became worse. She takes a combination of medication to manage her symptoms, with sideeffects including trouble sleeping. She also uses a stick to walk.

She said the support and understanding of her daughters Sarah and Suzanne, and grandchildren Chloe and Caitlin, helped her get through the bad days. She also said meeting others with the condition had been a huge help in her dealing with the diagnosis.

“Nobody knows what the prognosis is,” she admits.

“My symptoms could advance quicker than someone else’s, there’s not really any way to predict it. I go to the Young Parkinson’s Group on the first Monday of every month at the Queen’s Hotel, and there is a group meeting on the last Tuesday of the month at the Steeple Church for people with Parkinson’s.

“It helps to be able to speak to people, and to know they are going through the same things as you.

“Other than your family, I don’t really think people know how bad it can be. Your family are the ones who see you at your worst.

“For anyone who receives a diagnosis, what I would advise is to definitely speak to someone about the services local to them. Being in the groups I am in definitely has helped me to cope. Parkinson’s UK is really good for advice or information down the phone. I think perhaps there could be more regular appointments with the NHS to discuss my condition, but the Parkinson’s nurses at Ninewells are amazing. They help manage medication, and can make referrals to other doctors or specialists.

“There are times when you’re having a bad day and you think, ‘Is it worth it?’ It can be really hard some days. But I always remember that there are other people out there a lot worse off than me.”

Anyone looking for information or support should contact Parkinson’s UK on 0808 800 0303 or online at parkinsons.org.uk.