I have been with my primary care doctor for over 16 years. I credit her with my early-onset Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a> being diagnosed<\/a> accurately and as quickly as it was. She noticed my early tremors<\/a> before I was willing to admit to myself that they were real. And once she did, she stayed after me to follow up with a movement disorder specialist<\/a>, a type of neurologist with additional special training in diseases like Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n Recommended Reading<\/p>\n I was just 35 when she first asked about my tremor. Looking back, I know now that I had all the classic symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a> \u2014 slowness, rigidity, tremor, and gait issues<\/a>. The most significant sign that pointed away from Parkinson\u2019s was my age. Typical onset is usually in someone\u2019s 60s, and I was almost half that age. But she felt strongly enough, and we had built a relationship, so she trusted her diagnostic instincts, and I trusted her enough to go and get a diagnosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been seeing my neurologist for 11 years. She didn\u2019t diagnose me; the doctor who did moved away after I had been with him for only four months. At the time, I was lucky enough to get an appointment with this incredible physician and person. During our first visit, she said, \u201cYou\u2019re too young, you have too much to do. We\u2019re going to make you feel a lot better.\u201d She has been true to that promise for over a decade.<\/p>\n Counting my blessings<\/p>\n It really does take a team. I\u2019ve had six pretty major surgeries since being diagnosed. A ruptured disk<\/a>, my two deep brain stimulation<\/a> (DBS<\/a>) surgeries (the brain implants and chest implants), two total knee replacements, and surgery for a kidney stone.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a lot, and I\u2019m lucky I had a primary care doctor who kept me healthy overall, so I was physically able to get the surgical interventions I needed. And I\u2019m super lucky that my neurologist worked with me to make sure my surgeons and I knew how to handle my DBS technology during non-Parkinson\u2019s-related surgeries. They have also been supportive throughout each recovery, encouraging physical therapy and addressing my specific needs.<\/p>\n I also count my blessings every day for my neurologist making it possible for me to get DBS. I feel like it has saved my life. Before that surgery, all of my symptoms were at their peak, and looking back, I was miserable. Friends and family were all freaked out by the rough shape I was in, though they mostly kept it to themselves because it was so scary. I would \u201ccrash\u201d and fall into bed suddenly from sheer exhaustion multiple times a day as my drugs<\/a> wore off. And when they kicked in, I was manic.<\/p>\n If I hadn\u2019t gotten that surgery when I did, I\u2019m certain that my life would not be the same. I would probably be in a wheelchair, unable to hold down a job, and definitely not able to type this column<\/a>. My neurologist was with me through this whole process, and I thank her and the good people at Medtronic<\/a> every day for this fantastic technology.<\/p>\n As you can see, these remarkable women, with their brilliant minds, generous hearts, and unwavering dedication to science and their patients, have come to mean so much to me. I will miss them forever. Given the level of healthcare where I live, I know I will find a new team. But I will do so with much sadness and gratitude to those who brought me to where I am today. These doctors know who they are, and I will never forget what they\u2019ve done for me.<\/p>\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/JamieAskari_TheBrightSide-150x0-c-default.jpg\")
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