PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Alain G. was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2010 at the age of 44. The diagnosis is a shock for him. He refuses to accept the situation for several years and does not want to talk or hear about it. Since he works a lot with his arms as a tinsmith and needs strength, the disease leads to restrictions in his professional activities. At the time of the interview, he has been living with the condition for ten years. In 2018, he started Deep Brain Stimulation therapy. At the time of the interview, the surgery was two years ago. Alain G. is moderately satisfied with the results of the treatment. Age at the time of diagnosis: 44 Treatment: Deep brain stimulation

VIDEO

Address it yourself

After he suspects that the doctor is having trouble telling him, Alain G. asks of his own accord whether the diagnosis is Parkinson's disease. For a long time, he cannot believe that this is true.

Video Interview

TRANSCRIPT

Alain G.: And he was beating around the bush a bit, in fact, he didn't really know, and then at one point I asked him: "Do you think it's Parkinson's?" Then I asked him this question because in fact in his office I had already seen some of the leaflets I had read. And then I said that but without really believing it, and then in fact it was a bit [harsh] when he said yes. Because in fact it was a bit as if I had fallen several floors at once. It felt a bit strange. When I went to see the doctor for the first time, I was in the car, and then it was at C [location], and then when I was driving back from C [location], I couldn't believe it, I was really, [...] I said it's not possible, I don't know how to tell people at home. And it felt a bit like having fallen several floors at once, having tumbled down. Interviewer: And then? Alain G.: Well, afterwards I was in denial a lot, so I didn't think it was real and my wife registered us in a Parkinson's association. And I never wanted to go, in fact, I went once and that was it, and I didn't want to know the rest. I especially didn't want to know what could happen, I preferred not to know anything in fact.

Other experiences by Alain G.

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Alain G. was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2010 at the age of 44. The diagnosis is a shock for him. He refuses to accept the situation for several years and does not want to talk or hear about it. Since he works a lot with his arms as a tinsmith and needs strength, the disease leads to restrictions in his professional activities. At the time of the interview, he has been living with the condition for ten years. In 2018, he started Deep Brain Stimulation therapy. At the time of the interview, the surgery was two years ago. Alain G. is moderately satisfied with the results of the treatment. Age at the time of diagnosis: 44 Treatment: Deep brain stimulation

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Address it yourself

After he suspects that the doctor is having trouble telling him, Alain G. asks of his own accord whether the diagnosis is Parkinson's disease. For a long time, he cannot believe that this is true.

Diagnosis

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Depression

Alain G. no longer feels touched by anything.

Symptoms and course of disease

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Support from colleagues

Alain G.'s colleagues help when he can't manage something.

Living with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Concentration difficulties

Alain G. takes a computer course, but then returns to the construction site.

Living with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Children's worries

Alain G.'s son asks his father if he is going to die.

Family and society

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Little effect

In Alain G.'s case, the medication hardly alleviates the symptoms.

Medication

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Regularity

Alain G. only knew after some time that he should take the medication at fixed times.

Medication

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Holes in the head

Alain G. finds the holes in his head frightening.

Treatment with Deep Brain Stimulation

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Feel something

Alain G. tells what he felt during the operation.

Treatment with Deep Brain Stimulation

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Blood circulation

Alain G.'s blood circulation has improved.

Treatment with Deep Brain Stimulation

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

PDI40.jpg

Alain G.

Chinese Medicine

Alain G. suspects that the acupuncture helped more for psychological reasons. What really helps him is rest.

Further therapies and support

Parkinson's disease: deep brain stimulation and duodopa pump

View all experiences

© 2000-2021, All Rights Reserved