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Parkinson’s symptoms
My internist at the Mayo told me during a recent physical that he feels I may well have Parkinson’s. I was stunned, I did feel before I saw him that I had developed a neurological problem. He has me scheduled to have an EMG and to consult with a neurologist the first of Sept. In the mean time I have an appointment to see another neurologist in Minneapolis on the 14th of this month, mainly because in the last few weeks I have developed a fair amount of pain, numbness and plain muscle aches. It is the pain that I am really having a hard time with. Regular excercise and Ibuprofen, Tylenol’s don’t work.
I have many of the symptoms, basically in my right hand and arm. My hands however do not shake, but my right arm jerks slightly sometimes. Simple tasks like putting on my socks takes significantly more time and is harder. I don’t swing my right arm when I walk, but kinda carry it up. I walk on the balls of my feet rather than heel to toe. People tell me I seem more stooped. It it hard to write and as I do my writing becomes smaller.
I try not to feel depressed, hopeless and sorry for myself. It is hard. I wonder if most of you with Parkinson’s have been able to be helped with your pain? I really would appreciate your input.
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Hello @susan62 and welcome to Mayo Connect and the Parkinson's (PD) discussion group.
I am glad to see that you will be seeing a neurologist. That is the best type of doctor to sort out your various symptoms. I encourage you to learn as much about PD as you can before your appointment. Here are some links to websites that will help you understand the indicators of PD. The Parkinson's Foundation can be found at this link, http://parkinson.org/. Another great website is the Michael J. Fox website, https://www.michaeljfox.org/.
As you look through these websites you will become familiar with the various symptoms (i.e., loss of smell, taste, constipation, soft voice, swallowing problems, sleep problems, etc.) and you might have more to discuss with the neurologist when you see him/her.
I am currently involved in physical therapy with a PT who specializes in PD. (I usually go to PT at least twice a year in order to keep flexibility and reduction of pain). There are specific ways that they help with the numbness, pain and stiffness. It is most helpful. Massages can also be great way to help with the stiffness and pain.
There are many exercise classes now for people with PD. I go to a PD dance class which is done seated but the music is really great! There are about 10 in our class and we have a great time and feel better when we leave. Here is a website where you can view some Dance with PD videos, https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dance+for+PD. Most classes can be done seated until you are comfortable standing. I still sit for the major portion of the class.
I look forward to hearing from you again. Please feel free to ask any questions that concern you. I'm going to invite some other members to join this conversation, @mariemarie and @ggopher. @mariemarie has been involved in a Pedaling for Parkinson's class for a while now. These classes are offered at various YMCA's and are very helpful to many PD patients. Here is a link to information on those classes, http://www.pedalingforparkinsons.org/
Teresa
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1 ReactionThank you so much for your concern and support. Thank you also for all of the suggestions to help. I also greatly appreciate the websites info.
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I look forward to hearing from you again! When is your next appointment?
Teresa
My wife was informed by here GP that she my have Parkinson disease. She's awaiting neurologist appointment. She's experiencing a great deal of pain and would like to have suggestions on how to deal with it.
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1 ReactionHello, @dfelix and @susan62 -- glad to have you here on Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to let you know I've merged your posts so that you could get to know one another, as dfelix mentioned his wife was informed she may have Parkinson's, and susan62, your doctor told you that you may have Parkinson's, as well.
@susan62, you mentioned feeling kind of depressed and hopeless right now. I'm wondering if you have some friends and family who are aware of your situation and who are supporting you right now as you walk through this new and possibly uncertain time?
@dfelix -- so sorry to hear about your wife's pain. Along with @hopeful33250, I'd also be interested to know more about what her pain problem is like and when her appointment will be?
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1 ReactionHer pain is mostly at night when she is watching tv. It moves around but mostly in her arm and hand. She says her fingers feel like they're twisting
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2 ReactionsHi Teresa. My husband is the one who has recently contacted Mayo Connect about my pain, as I most obviously have too.
I am thankful that I basically don’t have tremors. My discomfort/aching and sometimes pain is pretty much confined to my right arm. My fingers on my right and left hand have hardly any shake. The pain is in my right arm and hand. It most often manifests from time to time in those fingers. It is really more strong discomfort. It feels like my fingers are dislocated and need to be popped back into place. Before I started to have the pain(recent in last couple of weeks) my fingers did click out of place and I stretched them to pop back in. I realize this maybe some other problem, but it is what really bothers me. That, and the fact that I have a really hard time writing without strong pain.
As far as actual pain goes..I get a feeling of numbness in my right elbow that comes and goes, really sore stabbing pain that comes from time to time also in my shoulder and general aching discomfort that wraps around the top of my arm to the back up under my arm.
I am scheduled to see a neurologist on Tues Aug 14th in Minneapolis and then one on Weds Sept 7th at the Mayo. It is on a recent trip to the Mayo for a physical that my internist(from my describing symptoms and his findings during the physical) told me he thought that I may well have Parkinson’s. He scheduled me for an EMG and a consultation with a neurologist. The neurology department at Mayo is extremely busy so Sept 7th was the first appt I could get.
I know that I am jumping ahead because I don’t have a confirmed diagnosis, but I have many of the symptoms along with what my internist said that I would be very surprised if it is not Parkinson’s. I am a really proactive person and want to find out and start treatment for whatever neurological problem I have. I have been on the Internet reading like a woman possessed. Again, thank you so much for your help..
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2 ReactionsHello @susan62
The one-side symptoms are certainly a PD sign. I'm not familiar with all of your symptoms, but then PD affects everyone differently. The EMG is a very good idea, when is that test scheduled? After your follow up at Mayo in Sept. everything should be pulled together together nicely and you should have a good picture of what is going on. Have you had an MRI of the brain and/or spinal column yet?
When my symptoms started they were confined to the right side as well. I had right sided foot drop (my foot would seem to stay stuck to the ground when I was walking and it would trip me up.) I would stagger when I walked and seem headed to the right side rather than walking straight. I also had some right handed problems, trouble with fine motor coordination (clasping jewelry, picking up pills, etc.). At that time I was a school teacher and I would drop chalk all the time.
By the way, have you noticed any change in your handwriting? Or any change in taste or smell?
When I started the PD meds it felt like my brain and my lower extremities were connected better. I could walk straighter, no more foot drop and everything seemed to come together quite nicely. I started physical therapy and keep with that at least twice a year and exercise regularly. PD patients who exercise regularly have much less disability than those who don't exercise. The combination of meds and exercise has been very good for me. I always say that Parkinson's is not something you can take laying-down, you must stay active. However, it is hard to do for some people, because there is always a tendency towards depression when your brain chemistry is changed because of PD.
I love what you say about being a proactive person, that is just great! Reading all you can about PD is also important. I hope that you continue to post if you have any questions, I would really enjoy hearing from you especially after your next appointment in August. Wishing you well!
Teresa
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1 ReactionHello @dfelix
Thanks for the additional information about your wife's pain problem. Have you and your wife had an opportunity to look at the websites I mentioned to see if she has any of the other symptoms of PD?
Also, I was wondering, is her pain confined to one side of her body or is it on both sides?
I hope that her appointment is soon so that she can begin treatment and get some help with her pain. Remember a second opinion appointment is always a good idea.
Teresa
I have fairly constant back pain. I use a roller, stretch, and do my BIG exercises. That helps me. I also remember to hydrate with at least 80 oz of water per day...I can tell when I forget to hydrate.
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