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  ## Breadcrumb

- [Home](/)
- [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons)
- [My PD Story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories)
 
  

 

  # My PD Story

 

   ![Julie Obreiter selfie](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Julie%20Obreiter.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=EDDB1G2g)  

 People with PD 

##  Julie Obreiter 

 

  My name is Julie, and I was diagnosed with [young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD)](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/young-onset-parkinsons "Young-Onset Parkinson's") in 2018 at the age of 44. Since my diagnosis, my most prominent symptoms have been [rigidity](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/rigidity "Rigidity"), slowness of movement, and foot [dystonia](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/dystonia "Dystonia").

Part of my PD journey involves a scary hospital experience in 2023. While my daughter and I were on a cross-country road trip together I began experiencing severe [dyskinesia](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/dyskinesia "Dyskinesia") (involuntary, erratic, writhing movements of the face, arms, legs or trunk) and cramping. This is fairly common for me, and sometimes, when this happens, I use [THC](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/medical-marijuana "Medical Marijuana") (medical marijuana) to find relief.

However, when I did this time, I became unresponsive, which had never happened before. My daughter pulled over to call 911 and an ambulance transported me to the hospital.

The next thing I knew, I woke up in the ER. I thought I was having a bad dream. My daughter explained to the medical team that I have Parkinson’s, and like many others, use THC to help manage my symptoms.

The ER team was convinced I was a drug addict and treated me like I had done something wrong. My daughter and I were both shocked and scared. They didn’t believe I had Parkinson’s, and they refused to perform any tests or allow me to take my Parkinson’s medications.

Unfortunately, it took several hours to convince the medical team that my Parkinson’s medications were essential. Once they realized these weren’t street drugs, my medications were administered, and my symptoms became under control.

The doctor neglected to contact my neurologist, and further testing was never done. I was treated carelessly and discharged the same day. When I talked with my neurologist after the hospitalization, he said that I experienced a “dystonic storm.”

Since then, I have taken time to process this traumatic experience and learned how to advocate for myself as a person with Parkinson’s. Most recently, I underwent [deep brain stimulation (DBS)](/library/fact-sheets/deep-brain-stimulation "Considering Deep Brain Stimulation") surgery that changed my life — and greatly improved my symptoms.

While we don’t always know when we are headed for a hospital stay or ER visit, there are ways to prepare. The Parkinson’s Foundation [Hospital Safety Guide](/resources-support/hospital-safety-guide "Hospital Safety Guide") can help you and your loved ones prepare before your next planned or unplanned hospital visit so that you feel prepared to navigate the hospital with confidence.

Advocate for your best care with the [Hospital Safety Guide](/resources-support/hospital-safety-guide "Hospital Safety Guide"). [Learn more and download the guide now](/resources-support/hospital-safety-guide "Hospital Safety Guide").

  ##  Related Materials 

   Fact Sheets 

###  [ Pain in Parkinson's Disease ](/library/fact-sheets/pain) 

 

 [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/pain) 

 Fact Sheets 

###  [ Occupational Therapy & Parkinson's ](/library/fact-sheets/occupational-therapy) 

 

 [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/occupational-therapy) 

 Fact Sheets 

###  [ Nutrition and PD ](/library/fact-sheets/nutrition) 

 

 [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/nutrition) 

 

  ##  More Stories 

 from the Parkinson's community

   ![Edwin Castillo headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/edwin-castillo-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=i2krUKZL)  

 People with PD 

###  [ Edwin Castillo ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/edwin-castillo) 

  READ NOW  

 

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 People with PD 

###  [ Tamara Zanvardine ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/tamara-zanvardine) 

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 ![Gary Krajewski headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/gary-krajewski-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=jbMtYx20)  

 People with PD 

###  [ Gary Krajewski ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/gary-krajewski) 

  READ NOW  

 

 

 [VIEW ALL STORIES](/living-with-parkinsons/stories) 

  

 

 ###  Share your Story 

 Do you have an experience with Parkinson's that you would like to share?

 [SUBMIT YOUR STORY](/living-with-parkinsons/my-pd-story/submit) 

 

 

 ###  Order a Parkinson’s Hospital Safety Guide 

 The Hospital Safety Guide is a resource for people with Parkinson's and their care partners filled with useful tools and information to prepare for and navigate a hospital stay.

 [ORDER NOW](/resources-support/pd-library/order-publications) 

 [LEARN MORE](/resources-support/hospital-safety-guide) 

 

 

 

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