Coping with multiple health conditions: “I try to be positive”

Prakash Chavda, 69, a retired accountant from Pinner, lives with type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. He also has a pacemaker for an abnormal heart rhythm.

“Managing all my medication is a challenge. I inject insulin four times a day and I take 17 tablets a day. As I get older it’s harder to remember, so I have started to put an alarm system on my phone. It means that if I am preoccupied with something I get a reminder.

The medicine for my Parkinson’s has the greatest side effects. It makes me feel drowsy, so I have to get the right balance of controlling my tremor and not feeling too sleepy. My sleep at night is also disturbed and I have to get up to go to the toilet. So I try to balance staying hydrated with not drinking too much.

My health issues limit what I can do quite a lot. I don’t do as much walking as I used to. I find it difficult to walk straight as I don’t have the stability. I don’t get out to see my friends as much as I used to. But I can talk to them on the phone, and we can still have a joke and laugh.

I try to be positive despite the obstacles

If I am going to see my consultant, I really prepare myself. I make a list of questions about everything, my medicine, side effects, mood changes. Sometimes it’s about my diet – my diabetes dietitian will say reduce carbohydrates and concentrate on protein. But my Parkinson’s consultant will say stick to a balanced diet. So I ask how I can address that. That way I understand my condition and the treatment better.

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I try to be positive despite the obstacles. I get help and support – with shopping for example, from my wife, my son and daughter. For me and my wife, seeing our grandchildren is a great source of pleasure. When my grandson runs in, gives me a hug, and runs to my wife – money cannot buy that.”

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