I am 56 years old and, after an intense battle against Parkinson’s disease, I am pleased to say that I have emerged a winner. This is my story.

I live in Bengaluru now but studied mechanical engineering and acquired an MBA degree from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi and the Xavier’s Institute of Labour Management in Jamshedpur, respectively. I have worked in senior positions in prominent companies in India and Oman, where I was posted for seven years. I returned to India in 2004 and was fortunate to be appointed as general manager of an American multinational’s South Asia operations.

The first red flag went up in 2008, when I noticed tremors in my left hand. This was associated with sluggishness of body movements on the left side and other symptoms like stiffness, rigidity and shaking. I consulted doctors but as the tremors did not affect my daily activities, I was only put under observation. However, the tremors worsened and so did the sluggishness in gait and body movements. A battery of tests confirmed Parkinson’s, a progressive disorder of the nervous system. Doctors put me on medication for Parkinson’s.

By 2011, the tremors progressed to my right limbs, with further worsening of body movements. This compromised my work and daily activities like driving and even shaving, dressing and sitting for long periods, which I needed to do at official meetings. My condition worsened and now included obsessive symptoms and hallucinations. By 2014, I experienced motor fluctuations that forced me to take a break from my professional life. I also developed involuntary movement of the upper trunk and neck as a side effect of the medication. In January 2015, I had developed sleep issues and had problems concentrating. Finally, doctors told me I should stop driving.

Through this emotionally painful journey, I tried to stay calm without ever losing faith in God but my patience was running out. The doctors’ visits, long-term medication and tests were taking a toll. It was getting increasingly difficult for me to cope with the illness.

It was then that I met a neurologist and neurosurgeon trained in MDS (movement disorder surgery). They suggested deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical procedure that treats disabling neurological symptoms. I was very apprehensive but the doctors calmed my fears.

In March 2015, I underwent DBS, which cost me ₹ 10 lakh. I responded well to the surgery, and my gait and quality of life significantly improved. I slowly returned to normalcy. After six years of debilitating symptoms, I finally felt normal again. Even better, I have been taken off medication. The surgery has not only helped me get back to my normal life but has boosted my confidence.

Being an avid traveller, I have since been on two road trips. The first trip was in 2016, when I travelled across 25 cities from Bengaluru to Thimpu in Bhutan, in 41 days. Recently, I travelled 10,000 km across 30 cities in Western India. Both trips were aimed at creating awareness about Parkinson’s and the surgery. Owing to low awareness among patients and general practitioners, the disease is often detected in an advanced stage. Although DBS is not a new surgical procedure, not many opt for it owing to low awareness.

Thankfully, I have been able to reach out to many patients and tirelessly talked about the disease and surgery. Looking back, I feel my journey has been extremely fulfilling. And I am back to being ‘me’ again!

—Hari Prasad, Bengaluru

Photo courtesy: Columbia Asia Hospital
Featured in Harmony — Celebrate Age Magazine
April 2017