Too many women like Kirsten are told that symptoms are the menopause when they really have Parkinson’s. Now doctors urge action … and say that early diagnosis is the key

For years, the mother of two Kirsten Macpherson struggled to get out of bed, with severe muscle stiffness and an overwhelming feeling of fear.

In her late 40s, she knew that something was wrong, but doctors repeatedly said that her symptoms were caused by the menopause, and assured her that medication would make it easier.

It got steadily worse; Eventually she had the maximum dose of HST, antidepressants and painkillers, but nothing relieved her daily battle.

“I will never forget when I and my family really knew something was wrong,” says Kirsten. “It became known as a pancake gate in our house.” She says that her husband Steve through the door to her and their two children, Fraser and Freya, then comes 13 and 16, who together makes a mess in the kitchen that cooks together.

“When Steve asked me what was going on, I just couldn’t do the words – I stumbled, I was vibrating and rumbling about my words,” Kirsten said. “I tried to say,” Pancakes are in full swing, “but I just couldn’t get it out … normally they would laugh and say that I was dity, but everyone was quiet – they knew something was wrong.”

Another trip to her doctor followed and after he explained that she now had a tremor, Kirsten was immediately referred to a neurologist – at the eighth time of asking.

The mother of two believes that she would have suffered less if GPS knew more about how women’s disease presents

In 2023, tests eventually revealed the cause of her countless health problems: Kirsten had Parkinson’s, a degenerative neurological disease. “I was in full shock-I just didn’t think women could get Parkinson’s age,” said the now retired dentist.

“It was really difficult to get to terms. I had to mourn the life I thought I would live; Shall I see my children grow up and getting married? Shall I have grandchildren? Do I have to be pushed around in a wheelchair? ‘

Caring for Kirsten is far from unique. Experts warn that thousands of women with Parkinson’s are not – diagnosed – largely because their symptoms occur differently than those of men.

Now, on Sunday, researchers, members of parliament and the leading charity institution of the UK are on to speak to urgent updates to NHS guidelines to ensure that women are diagnosed and treated in the right way. The condition, which influences nerve cells in the brain that movement, is often wrongly supposed to influence men and women in the same way – a misunderstanding that can ruin life, they say.

“An early diagnosis is really important for patients, because they start to improve their quality of life as quickly as possible,” says Dr. Daniel van Wamelen, an expert in Parkinson’s at King’s College London.

“And although we don’t have any drugs to reverse the symptoms, it is likely that we will be in the coming years, and it will be vital that we are able to diagnose early, so these are effective.”

Kirsten says that life was’ unbearable ‘before her diagnosis:’ It was terrible and did not know what was wrong with me. I just couldn’t function from day to day and I had to hide my symptoms at work. ‘

Kirsten with Parkinson’s Pioneers, a football team for people with the situation

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder – only the second in terms of prevalence for Alzheimer’s disease. An estimated 168,000 people live in the UK at Parkinson’s, with 50 diagnoses every day.

The condition occurs when brain cells are responsible for producing dopamine – a chemical substance that is vital for moving movement – are damaged and die. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is thought that it is a mix of genetic and environmental factors.

Symptoms include typical vibrations, stiffness, delayed movement and balance problems – although they can vary greatly, especially between men and women.

Although NHS data demonstrates that four in ten Parkinson’s patients are women, some experts believe that this figure can underestimate the actual number as a result of a wrong diagnosis.

The symptoms of women can show less visible – and are more likely to be thought of for fear, menopause or other disorders. ‘There is a theory that offers the female sex hormone, estrogen, some protection against the disease, so we see cases [in] Menopausal women when these levels fall, “says Dr. Van Wamelen.

“Due to the potentially protective nature of this hormone, this means that the disease progresses slower in women, and therefore cases are not collected.”

Kirsten says that medication has helped to reduce some of her symptoms, but there are still days when I have the feeling that I just can’t do anything … I could do soldiers at work for a few years, but in the end I had to stop. ‘

She takes the dopamine boosting drug Levodopa every day and has joined a football group for people with Parkinson’s to stay active.

Kirsten believes that she would have suffered less if GPS knew more about how women’s disease presents. “We hear a lot of women who have difficulty being referred to a specialist and is told that it is just ‘women’s problems’,” says Claire Bale of Parkinson’s VK. The charity added: “We have to see a change in guidance – it would make a huge difference for women’s lives.”

LIB DEM MP Alison Bennett recently asked the government if it was planning to act on the issue, but Minister of Health Ashley Dalton said there were no plans to update guidance. ‘It showed that they didn’t have a good grasp on this [issue]”said Mrs. Bennett.

A spokesperson for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said: “We regularly assess and work our guidelines and follow a proactive approach if there is new evidence that the recommendations will probably change if there is new evidence.”