Alex Petrie faced a long and frustrating journey before receiving his Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis. For years, the loving father of three and devoted husband of 45 years pushed his doctor to investigate his symptoms, which were always brushed off as anxiety and an essential tremor.
Throughout his youth and until recently, Alex was very active, playing hockey, performing with his guitar, and doing home renovations. He began working as a carpenter at the age of 16 before transitioning into purchasing and industrial sales. Music and family were central to his life. Alex took great joy in raising his children and coaching their hockey team. However, in the last five years, things began to change. His legs and arms felt heavy, and his wife, Darlene, noticed a tremor and that he wasn’t himself anymore.
During this time, Alex underwent surgery for acute sinusitis, leaving him fatigued. Unfortunately, a week after the surgery, he suffered a serious cerebrospinal fluid brain leak and was rushed to St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver from his hometown of Armstrong for a blood patch. After the surgery, the symptoms on the left side of his body worsened and he began to lose his sense of smell – something he initially thought was linked to the sinusitis.
Alex and Darlene continued to push the doctor for further testing, but instead, he was put on anti-anxiety medication. Alex’s family went on holidays to Mexico, but he stayed home because he was feeling unwell. Upon her return, Darlene took him back to the doctor and insisted on a neurologist referral.
Finally, six months later, Alex was able to see a neurologist, who did smell, walking, and hand tests. Despite no gait impairments, Alex did struggle with some motor skills, had trouble sleeping, and was acting out. A diagnosis of Parkinson’s was confirmed in 2023 when Alex was 64 years old. While initially concerning to his family, it also brought relief to have an answer after all this time.
For years, Alex stopped playing and listening to music – one of his life’s greatest passions – and turned to alcohol to cope with the daily challenges he was facing. However, he has since learned alternative coping mechanisms to manage his symptoms, including keeping a daily journal. In it, he documents what has helped and what has not, logging details such as when he awoke that day, foods eaten, medication timing, and exercise. On good days, he may experience just three symptoms; on bad ones, up to ten. While levodopa helps him maintain his routine, he still deals with pain, heaviness in his limbs, anxiety, and panic attacks.
Alex wants others to know that Parkinson’s is so much more than a movement disorder. Because of its complexity, he acknowledges that it may be hard for doctors, especially general practitioners (GPs), to spot. “GPs need more tools,” he says. “I believe many people out there have Parkinson’s but are still not getting answers. My advice is to keep pushing your doctor for tests. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck…”
Fortunately, the love of his family helps build his spirits when he is feeling down. In particular, his three children, six grandchildren, and sons-in-law help immensely with home duties. His family is also understanding that he may need to avoid commitments to events or travel due to the unpredictability of symptoms. In addition, his best friend in Newfoundland was diagnosed with Parkinson’s three months after he was, opening up another avenue of care and understanding. “Parkinson’s is a journey, a ride, I didn’t want to go on,” Alex says, “but it’s not just me on this journey; it’s my family and friends, who have been my biggest support team.”
Alcohol use can be underreported but may impact mood, sleep, motor function, and overall symptom management for individuals with Parkinson’s. If you’re concerned about your alcohol use or plan to cut back, speak with your doctor or healthcare professional; tapering under medical supervision is crucial to avoid withdrawal-related complications. For additional help, contact Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) at 1-800-668-3330 or info@parkinson.bc.ca, or reach out to local resources such as Alcoholics Anonymous (aa.org). If you need immediate assistance, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You do not have to face these challenges alone.