1. < Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s symptoms

Posted by susan62 @susan62, Aug 4, 2018

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

Steve | @lsdempsey | Dec 11, 2018

Thanks for asking about my recovery. I am dong very well. I see the Orthopedic Doc tomorrow, Last visit he said the ribs were calcifying and beginning to heal...we will see tomorrow. I am walking everyday now and averaging 8K steps (most days getting in 10K!). I have restarted my balancing exercises and also my BIG and LOUD exercises. I have been to Mayo for post concussion check and PD check. Concussion has healed and my PD is still mild and border line needing meds. PD Doc and I will re-evaluate after ribs heal and back to full strength exercising. My lung has cleared of fluid BUT will have residual scarring for a while. I have continued doing deep breathing exercises to try and regain the lung capacity that I have lost...Doc thinks I have a good chance to add more capacity but not optimistic about regaining 100%...we'll see.

Feeling much better overall. I have been convinced to retire from cycling. So when I am able, I will hit the pool for exercise....I was a collegiate swimmer so maybe its time to return to the water 🙂 I will also restart yoga and weight lifting when I can. Also my oldest son is a Tae Kwon Doe Instructor - he is going to begin working with me. He says he will incorporate some of the Rock Solid Boxing principles with martial arts flavor. I am looking forward to it.

I am planning on going back to work on January 2, 2019. It has been a while and think I am ready to start back.

All and all, God is good...All the time. And all the time...God is good.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 11, 2018
In reply to @lsdempsey "Thanks for asking about my recovery. I am dong very well. I see the Orthopedic Doc..." + (show)
@lsdempsey

Thanks for asking about my recovery. I am dong very well. I see the Orthopedic Doc tomorrow, Last visit he said the ribs were calcifying and beginning to heal...we will see tomorrow. I am walking everyday now and averaging 8K steps (most days getting in 10K!). I have restarted my balancing exercises and also my BIG and LOUD exercises. I have been to Mayo for post concussion check and PD check. Concussion has healed and my PD is still mild and border line needing meds. PD Doc and I will re-evaluate after ribs heal and back to full strength exercising. My lung has cleared of fluid BUT will have residual scarring for a while. I have continued doing deep breathing exercises to try and regain the lung capacity that I have lost...Doc thinks I have a good chance to add more capacity but not optimistic about regaining 100%...we'll see.

Feeling much better overall. I have been convinced to retire from cycling. So when I am able, I will hit the pool for exercise....I was a collegiate swimmer so maybe its time to return to the water 🙂 I will also restart yoga and weight lifting when I can. Also my oldest son is a Tae Kwon Doe Instructor - he is going to begin working with me. He says he will incorporate some of the Rock Solid Boxing principles with martial arts flavor. I am looking forward to it.

I am planning on going back to work on January 2, 2019. It has been a while and think I am ready to start back.

All and all, God is good...All the time. And all the time...God is good.

Jump to this post

That is such a good report, @lsdempsey. I'm so pleased that you are doing so well. Swimming is great exercise so that should help you regain strength. I have many PD friends who have been involved in the Rock Solid Boxing and they enjoy it. Yes, I do agree with you when you say, "God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good."
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy new year.

REPLY
1 reply
Steve | @lsdempsey | Dec 13, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "That is such a good report, @lsdempsey. I'm so pleased that you are doing so well...." + (show)
@hopeful33250

That is such a good report, @lsdempsey. I'm so pleased that you are doing so well. Swimming is great exercise so that should help you regain strength. I have many PD friends who have been involved in the Rock Solid Boxing and they enjoy it. Yes, I do agree with you when you say, "God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good."
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy new year.

Jump to this post

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you.

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adrienne625 | @adrienne625 | Mar 9 10:23am

I was just diagnosed this past week. My doctor put me on Cardidopa-Levodopa. So far I still have muscle pain in my neck but my mood is brighter and I sleep soundly. Let’s hope there are breakthroughs very soon.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Mar 10 12:06pm
In reply to @adrienne625 "I was just diagnosed this past week. My doctor put me on Cardidopa-Levodopa. So far I..." + (show)
@adrienne625

I was just diagnosed this past week. My doctor put me on Cardidopa-Levodopa. So far I still have muscle pain in my neck but my mood is brighter and I sleep soundly. Let’s hope there are breakthroughs very soon.

Jump to this post

Hi, @adrienne625 - a diagnosis with Parkinson's this past week is a very new diagnosis. How are you feeling about it?

REPLY
1 reply
adrienne625 | @adrienne625 | Mar 10 2:24pm
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @adrienne625 - a diagnosis with Parkinson's this past week is a very new diagnosis. How..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @adrienne625 - a diagnosis with Parkinson's this past week is a very new diagnosis. How are you feeling about it?

Jump to this post

Hi Lisa,
I had a panic attack after my appointment Thankfully, my husband was with me. My first reaction was “I don’t want anyone to know about this.” Within 12 hours, I realized how wrong that was. My friends and family have been so very supportive. I feel the love all around me.

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seniormed | @seniormed | Mar 10 8:58pm

I brought my grandfather to the neurologist to have him diagnosed years ago.
My sister has advancing Parkinson’s movements still doing well enjoying
being her family matriarchy.My recent onset dysautonomia includes all the features of non motor disease. Midodrine blood pressure support has really helped.
So far I have only shared my concerns with my primary, cardiologist and
psychiatrist while I await my first neurology visit at Northwestern.
Exercise habit and my TNF inhibitor have likely helped forestall development
of more symptoms. I’m a strong coffee lover more the last few years since retiring.
Looking for more support and learning in the future. So far my golf game is still steady fun with other healthy agers on the tee.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 11 6:58am
In reply to @seniormed "I brought my grandfather to the neurologist to have him diagnosed years ago. My sister has..." + (show)
@seniormed

I brought my grandfather to the neurologist to have him diagnosed years ago.
My sister has advancing Parkinson’s movements still doing well enjoying
being her family matriarchy.My recent onset dysautonomia includes all the features of non motor disease. Midodrine blood pressure support has really helped.
So far I have only shared my concerns with my primary, cardiologist and
psychiatrist while I await my first neurology visit at Northwestern.
Exercise habit and my TNF inhibitor have likely helped forestall development
of more symptoms. I’m a strong coffee lover more the last few years since retiring.
Looking for more support and learning in the future. So far my golf game is still steady fun with other healthy agers on the tee.

Jump to this post

Hello @seniormed and welcome to the PD support group. I see that you have been a member of Mayo Connect for a while but this is your first post in this discussion group.

From your post, it appears that you are going to Northwestern for a neurological work-up and to determine if you have PD. Is my understanding correct?

I hope that you find the answer you are looking for. It does appear that there is a strong family history of PD. An active lifestyle is important in lessening the disability from PD and other neurological disorders.

You mention that you take a TNF inhibitor. If you are comfortable sharing more, I would like to know what specialist prescribed that medication and how it has helped you.

I look forward to hearing from you again. Will you continue to post as you seek an answer to these health issues?

REPLY
seniormed | @seniormed | Mar 11 8:04am

I have enjoyed connecting on PMR and Psoriatic arthritis topics. I became very interested in autoimmune
problems since I was diagnosed with acute Polymyalgia
shortly after retiring. My mother had PMR so that was not a total surprise. Very well controlled psoriasis
then evolved into psoriatic arthritis. I have done well on
Humira the past 2 years and have access to a great medical team. Have been reading lots about PD with
our family history and first thought my autonomic
symptoms were from PsA since I have no tremor.
This year developed significant orthostatic hypotension
and responding to midodrine. I now have all the non
motor symptoms except for bowel involvement.
Fortunate to be an avid exerciser for the past 40 years.
My lifestyle has included all the possible factors that
lessened my risk except being 77! Still having fun aging
gratefully with most of my friends. I will be seeing a neurologist who focuses on movement disorders.
.

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