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Looking Back - What Were Your Early Warning Signs of Parkinson's?
I'm 51 and do not (currently) have Parkinson's. However, I've been deemed to be "at high risk of developing PD" due to having something called REM Sleep Behavior disorder (RBD), which I was diagnosed with 2 years ago (after suffering from it for 5 years prior).
I did see a neurologist at Mayo after the RBD diagnosis, who ran me through the battery of PD tests, but she said I wasn't showing any detectable signs of it.
She tried to set my mind at ease by saying there IS a (small) chance I'll never actually develop PD. Yay for that, I guess.
For those of you who have Parkinson's, I'm curious:
Looking back over your "healthy years," knowing what you know now, were there any very early (pre-diagnosis) warning signs that you didn't recognize at the time? Anything you ignored or just wrote-off as "normal"?
What I'm getting at here is: short of the obvious symptoms (tremors, walking issues, etc), is there anything subtle I should be on the lookout for... so I know when to reach out to a neurologist again?
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1 ReactionHi, @eojeda1 - you do sound like a real fighter, and you've already been through a lot with your health and your husband's.
My husband's aunt and uncle built their own home years ago in Minnesota lake country, and I have to say I'm extremely impressed by people who build their own homes.
I realize you are being checked for thyroid cancer and do not have a diagnosis. However, if you're interested in reading about it or chatting with others who have this diagnosis or have been tested for it, you might check out this Mayo Clinic Connect support group:
- Thyroid Cancer Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/thyroid-cancer/
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2 ReactionsHello @bobweller,
I'm interested in your comment about applying a heavy menthol product to your feet. How does that help?
Thank you! I greatly appreciate the information. We built a barndominium. Lots of interior work to do now, but I did manage to get flooring and trim in the bedrooms. I am now working on the flooring upstairs. Laying wood floors is no easy task. I think keeping busy with this project while taking care of my husband has helped me take a mental reprieve from the seriousness of our situation. My teenage son has been a help. He was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 2. Unfortunately, he does not wake for alarms when he pitches highs and lows, so I am often treating him during the nights when the alarm goes off. Life is complex, but crying won't help, and blessings do come in different ways. You just have to wait for them! Remember, when you think you have it hard, someone else has it harder. Truth is that I am lucky to be alive as I suffered multiple strokes in 2019. It left me with various deficiencies, but we adapt. This is why we need to help and encourage each other to persevere no matter what.
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3 ReactionsI had loss of smell over time but I dismissed it as sinus issues. Also had overactive bladder issues that I just dismissed as getting older. I had two bad knees so walking was painful but I started feeling like I was walking stiffly as if walking on stilts but I passed it off as just my knees. Once I was diagnosed and put on meds, I wasn’t walking stiffly any longer. Also be aware if you are starting to deal with depression and or anxiety or apathy.
My suggestion is to stay active with High Intensity Interval Training, take a good probiotic and keep your cholesterol and sugar levels healthy so if you are prone to get it you can hopefully slow progress.
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2 ReactionsMy husband who died at 80 with Parkinson's already ha REM sleep disorder at 20. He always had constipation. He lost his sense of smell around the age of 70. He had been a wine tasting judge. He started drinking heavily and I think that was trying to deal with what he felt was 'off.' He had Lewey body dementia at the end.
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4 ReactionsHard to remember everything, but it included a number of motor exercises... having me stomp my feet really hard, tap my thumb and index finger (both hands) together as fast as possible, opening/closing hands as fast as possible, some basic toe-to-heel walking exercises. She also had me hold my hands up, fingers splayed, and looked for any detectible trembling (beyond what might be considered normal). There were probably a few other things, but I can't remember it all.
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2 ReactionsWell stay on top of it..Eat fruits and exercise..blueberries are great?
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1 ReactionI am depressed and have high cholesterol controlled with atorvastin went from 252 to 110, cholesterol that is..my sugar is high too, I usually wait til it is between 100-110 around noon. I only eat twice a day too, I have lost 30#,so that helps with the fatty liver dx…
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2 ReactionsI use bio freexe on my feet every night then slip on sny kind of socks
I have onlu been doinh it for about 4wks and eorks for me
I remember my dad every night taking a very hot bath not a shower yhen rubbing Bengay all over his legs and feet. I suspect he had RLS as i have that too
Just try it what do you have to lose.
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