In 2002, I was a 39-year-old general Neurologist enjoying private-practice in suburban Maryland. In August of that year, I just did not feel right and noticed the finger movements on my (dominant) right hand were slow. Several months later, a postural and resting tremor developed in my right hand. My partners and I considered Parkinson’s disease (PD), as my grandfather had suffered from it, but denial was my friend. Circumstances continued to chip away at my denial.

My handwriting deteriorated into micrographia. I recall seeing one of my favorite PD patients, thinking how similar my symptoms were to hers. Eventually, imitators of PD were ruled out, and dopamine agonist therapy improved my micrographia considerably, but less so my tremor (and unfortunately caused severe intractable nausea and fatigue). Finally, I arranged an F-dopa PET scan as part of a research study (because insurance does not cover PET scans for Parkinson’s diagnosis), wanting to “see the dopamine problem.” The result was a colorful scan showing decreased dopamine uptake in the left basal ganglia (corresponding to my right tremor) and was consistent with “early Parkinson’s.” Having diagnosed and treated Parkinson’s patients, I now was one. My state of semi-denial was over, as my journey was just beginning.

In 2005, ill-tolerant of dopaminergic therapy and with declining Quality of Life (QoL) from asymmetric tremor and bradykinesia, as well as fatigue and pain, I had staged Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgeries, with electrodes placed in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) bilaterally. Being relatively young and in good health, my recovery was swift. In the first year after DBS, my QoL increased far beyond my expectations, allowing me to exercise more efficiently and rejoin the workforce.

Prior to my DBS surgery, my right face-arm-leg tremor had progressed to the point that I could not write, drive, use a keyboard, button shirts, tie my shoes, give talks, or even comfortably go out in public such as to dinner at a restaurant with my family. The stress on my wife was tremendous and my relationship with my kids became superficial as I spent all my cognitive and physical energy just trying to make it through each day, with little energy or patience left over to be husband and dad.

I had to quit my private practice and use my private disability income policy (which has been a blessing). DBS and lifestyle changes in the areas of lowered stress, more focused nutrition, and a variety of exercise (such as stretching, weight lifting, running, biking, and Tai chi), almost miraculously have restored my function and QoL. I have more energy and less pain, and have regained the ability to exercise, drive, write and type, get dressed at a reasonable speed, give talks, go out to restaurants, and work.

I have changed my work to be low-stress. I am now the Science Advisor to the Parkinson’s Action Network, a public policy research advocacy organization, do some consulting, and even practice Neurology again, though in the form of doing EMG/NCS studies. Happily, my functional restoration also included being able to play baseball with my sons again; in fact, my fastball was recently clocked at 60 mph (no kidding!).

I am delighted to announce the availability of my new instructional DVD, "The Parkinson's Pyramid®: Pyradigm of Health™". My goal is that the science-based therapeutic lifestyle strategy that has improved my functioning and quality of life will raise the chances that this time next year, you or the person with Parkinson's in your life could be better functioning and on less, not more, medication.

David Heydrick, MD, MS