Looking Back - What Were Your Early Warning Signs of Parkinson's?

@bmfoster Glad to hear there's something that works. It doesn't happen very often but when and if it does, it will be handy to have this in my questions to ask y neurologist. Thanks!

Serious lack of stamina, dizzyness, loss of balance, falling for no apparent reason, constipation, central & obstructive sleep apnea, constipation, urinary incontinence, E.D. most started many years before I was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease.

My spouse starting writing small and then would not sign anything. Falling at work, essential tremors, poor sleeping. No REM sleep.I asked for Melantonin. It did wonders. He was on CPap until he was unble to benefit from it. Has oxygen due to hypoxia. He really was complaing more of back pain. He also had orthostatic hypotension. I am so sorry you have this horrible disease. 🫂💕

My most notable "pre-diagnosis" symptom was anosmia, or the loss of my sense of smell. I also had orthostatic hypotension for more than a few years before my original (mis?) diagnosis of essential tremor. I was finally diagnosed with PD after a Dat-Scan three years ago and several decades after being treated for other symptoms now all consolidated as PD. It does seem as though advances in the admittedly difficult diagnostic process may be advancing which would be helpful to patients while they are still better able to fight back.

My balance, falling for no apparent reason, lack of stamina in a short time, lack of motivation to do things, seeing things that were not actually there. The falls involved broken ribs, large broken skin patches peeling back, broken eyeglasses, black eyes, cuts, very frequent bruises especially on hands and arms.
All of this stuff started happening 10 - 15 years before I was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. I was 78 when I was diagnosed. Now, 9 months after my diagnosis, my symptoms just keep on and new symptoms just keep piling onto the others. NONTHN'S EASY WITH THIS DISEASE!

My Ishemic Heart Disease and Hypothyroidism have been around since 2013... I've learned to live with those pretty well. But Parkinsons is a whole different animal!!

Looking back the loss of the ability preceded the dx of PD by YEARS as well as the gradual loss of balance, despite years if strength & balance exercises!

When I picked up a glass my hand would shake just for a second and chocking a lot on my saliva which caused pneumonia. I guess looking back frustration at needing to make a lot of lists. I’ve had PD for 12 years now. The meds have helped but I’m showing signs of progression. At 75 I’m less patient with the curves PD throws at me. It’s nice to be able to voice this to someone who has “walked in my shoes”. I’m very thankful I have the doctor that o have.

My early signs were intermittent tremors in my right hand for 3 years before my dx that I ignored as insignificant. Once they became continuous is when I sought medical care and was diagnosed with PD. A year before my dx I was experiencing balance issues that I attributed to aging. Changed my daily workout routine to add emphasis on balance which helped tremendously by masked my disease. I now have no sense of smell, which is not necessarily a down side depending on the circumstances. I also now struggle daily with what I refer to as my “Tin Man” syndrome (as in the Wizard of Oz), with stiff and painful extremities, mainly arms/shoulders/chest. So far the only relief is moving/stretching/extensions. So yoga is my first thing in the morning starter. I hope my experience is helpful to others.

this is a great question b/c looking back I had things going on before the tremors came. I would say stiffness and arm not swinging were early signs for me.
I went to the doctor b/c I thought I had circulatory problems. My feet would continuously fall asleep coupled with incredible stiffness only in my right leg. they ordered a nerve test which all checked out fine except my right arm started to tremor while I was there. we then started googling Parkinson symptoms and one strange one popped up---one of your arms doesn't swing while you walk. My wife noticed that my right arm does not swing. Not sure how long that was happening. This is something that can easily be noticed once you look for it.

I’m going to reply to this again because I did not read it thoroughly the first time. I was diagnosed around the age of 60. I was taking taekwondo at the time. I was able to progress to 5th degree black belt at age of 72 with Parkinson’s. There is life after the diagnosis but you need to want it. I’m 75 and most people cannot tell I have PD because of having done the martial arts. I’ve spoken to over 600 doctors and caregivers including international doctors at the Cleveland Clinic about the importance martial arts played in my life with PD. I’m not saying it’s easy. Life with PD requires a lot of adaptability but you can still do what others do, just maybe a little differently. Cross that Parkinson’s bridge when it comes and you will know when that time is. In the meantime go on with life and find enjoyment in each day.