Man de-diagnosed with Parkinson’s after eight years
6 reported1 unconfirmed
Mike Bell, now 62, spent eight years living with a Parkinson's diagnosis before a new consultant arranged further brain scans and he was "de-diagnosed" last June. Bell, a freelance show designer, was 53 when he was first diagnosed and had developed a "Parkinson's filter" of activities to stay healthy, including writing a poem a day and a children's novel. He joined the Parkinson's community, attended the World Parkinson Congress in Spain, and campaigned for better understanding of the condition. After the de-diagnosis, Bell said he "lost his roadmap" and felt like an impostor, stopping his poetry and questioning his advocacy. His medical team has suggested other diagnoses such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, but he still does not know what illness he has. A year later, Bell has made lifestyle changes, fallen in love, and started a new career supplying foldout tube maps of musicians' careers as tour merchandise.
What’s reported
Mike Bell was 53 when diagnosed with Parkinson's and spent eight years with the diagnosis.
A new consultant arranged further brain scans, leading to a "de-diagnosis" last June.
Bell had stopped taking prescribed medication and his symptoms had not worsened.
He still has unexplained pains, tingling, tremors, and skin problems.
His medical team has suggested fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome as possible diagnoses.
Bell has started a new career making foldout tube maps of musicians' careers for tour merchandise.
Open questions
What illness, if any, Mike Bell actually has.
Key figures
Mike Bell, 62, former freelance show designer and Parkinson's advocate.
Sources: The Guardian
