So when I heard an interview about a book on Parkinson's I decided to find it. The interview was with the author , Jon Palfreman, and he caught my attention.
The book is called Brain Storms : My fight against Parkinson's and the race to unlock the secrets of one of the brain's most mysterious diseases.
Brian Palfreman worked in journalism and once diagnosed with Parkinson's became preoccupied with discovering all he could about the disease and if he could be treated.
Parkinson's was discovered in 1817. Going back before 1817 many people of historical significance can be identified as having had Parkinson's.
So Palfreman goes through the history of the many things that have been done to discover what causes Parkinson's and the many things that have been done in an effort to treat Parkinson's. Many discoveries have been made that seemed promising and then turned out to be of little value. Each discovery and trial has lead further but not to a conclusion.
The main area of research now is genetic. The hope is to find a cause and then to be able to treat Parkinson's.
So on down the line we have drugs, surgery, grafting, exercise and gene therapy.
"Parkies", as they like to call themselves, are optimistic and hopeful that treatment and prevention will be developed. I hope they're right as many of us will develop Parkinson's.
I found this book to be a fascinating read.
Hi Red, So sorry to hear your Dad had it. My husband's Aunt had it and she suffered so with it, especially when they would admit her to the hospital and take all her meds away and then slowly introduce them again.
ReplyDeleteI have read that people who lack part of the dream/sleep cycle like I do are more prone to Parkinsons.
I think the worst part is the dementia that can go along with the disease.
FRom what I read in the book very little of what they know about Parkinson's is for sure. That's why it's very frustrating. Dad Had a long active life. He died at age 95. Quality of life in the last 2 -3 years was poor.
DeleteSince it is in your family history, it is good that you are reading up on this disease.
ReplyDeleteIt's now thought that Parkinson's is not hereditary. However, Dad's brother had Parkinson's
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your dad. My friend's father has Parkinson's. I should recommend this book to her; it sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteDAd had a very long and active life. He was 95 when he died. There wasn't much quality of life for the last 2 -3 years.
DeleteGood review! I had a client with Parkinson's. He was funny. KNowing he couldn't go upstairs, well, shouldn't, you'd see the twinkle in his eye as he slipped, made eye contact with me and we carried on!
ReplyDeleteThe twinkle in the eye is about all that's left. the face muscles are finished. Dad had a mischievous smile that came when he was thinking about something.
DeleteI am so sorry to hear of your dads disease. I looked after my neighbors wife back when I was 30. She had a care giver come to be with her but so often refused her to enter. So the husband came to my door one day. He said I see your gentle spirit and smile. Would you take care of my wife. I will pay you. She needs a caring, loving person and I know she would be comfortable with you.
ReplyDeleteSo I did. Parkinson's comes in many stages. I learned that while looking after Mrs Tapscott. To be looking after her made me be aware what lies in the inner of the persons and the outer. She taught me a lot as well. As she was a retired nurse. When she fell to the floor. I knew to leave her for a bit. I was aware of her eating. What she could have in food. Unfortunately after my retiring to go home one night.. I got a call five hours later. She had choked on a peanut butter sandwich. I was devastated . I asked her daughter. How was that possible she got hold of that type of sandwich. . She said my dad made it for her as she was so hungry. He knew better but this night she demanded that sandwich. He gave in. Parkinson loved ones or anyone of that disease sooner or later cannot swallow like you and I. So that would of made her not only choke but smothered to death.
My other neighbor back many years ago. Was a Doctor and he used to let me swim in his pool after he did his laps before work. Sad now. He too has Parkinson. Yes the medication has been pumped up some what with new medication. Yet still there is that sad situation now with the Dr . His memory is failing. He has tremors. He falls. So sad. Glad your reading up on it. It has many stages I was taught. I came to her at beginning stage and the last was real heart breaking to see her failing. I looking after her gave her hubby a chance to get away and do something for himself for hours. I was willing to do that for him. As being a caregiver for spouses is draining. And the caregiver needs to get away. And not feel guilty.
Well, said. There's so much to Parkinson's. My Dad was off to the nursing home when he fell and our step Mom couldn't get him up. Dad died before he got to the no swallowing stage. My brother-in-law was fed fluids for the last part of his life.
DeleteSounds like an interesting book. My grandmother had Parkinson's as well, though when she was diagnosed I believe she was already in her 80s.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's called late onset Parkinson's although they say that symptoms could have been identified long before here diagnosis was made.
DeleteI just went to my library website and put a hold on it. I'm number four in line. Thanks, Red! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt will be a fast read as it's very interesting.
DeleteParkinsons is a illness I really do hope they find a medicine for.Actually more and more get it as older we become.I really do not hope we have the medicine but to expencive to trea tthe local man with.They do it here(norway) with the famous cancer new medicin(Cost 65.ooo kr for a month here.Not everyone has money to buy it)
ReplyDeleteWish you a good week!!Beautiful picture:))))
So far the find some treatments that are hopeful and then turn out to be not as good as they thought. Don't get me going on drug costs. I have insurance but most people don't.
DeleteMy uncle by marriage has been diagnosed with Parkinson and Alzheimers. It is so sad.
ReplyDeleteSometimes is both and since the symptoms can be similar it's hard to tell what they've got. It's all sad.
DeleteI'm sorry your dad had Parkinson's. It sounds like an interesting book and I hope researchers are successful in finding better treatments.
ReplyDeleteDAd had a long and active life. He was 95 when he died. I think there will be some better things in the near future.
DeleteI have a friend who has a form of Parkinson’s; it is very sad to see an erstwhile brilliant mind (professor of history with many books to his name) descend into dementia as well as physical disability caused by the disease.
ReplyDeleteThere are many forms of Parkinson’s, my friend doesn’t have the shakes but he will get progressively worse until his mind will be gone completely. He and his wife are making the most of every minute he has left while relatively lucid.
Things are slowly taken away from them. It's frustrating for everybody.
Deletei do hope medical research can be successful.
ReplyDeleteThey are slowly making some progress. It's a much more complicated condition than they thought.
DeleteI was really interested by this post. My sister was just diagnosed with Parkinson's.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, Red. My best friend's mother is struggling with Parkinson's and it certainly has greatly affected her mental function. I will pass the info about the book along to my friend.
ReplyDeleteThey are progressing with some treatment, but it is srtill a rough diagnosis to hear
ReplyDeleteI can't think of anyone I've known with the condition.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor has Parkinsons and it makes me sad to see him deteriorate and his hands shake. I hope they make more advances in finding a cure for it.
ReplyDelete