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.

Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 5, 2018

@lsdempsey You are right, Steve. Hydration is so important!

Teresa

REPLY
susan62 | @susan62 | Aug 5, 2018
In reply to @lsdempsey "I have fairly constant back pain. I use a roller, stretch, and do my BIG exercises...." + (show)
@lsdempsey

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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I think you are absolutely right Steve. I know water or lack there of makes a big difference to your entire body, but 80 ounces?????? There is no way I could drink that much. 6-8 honestly is about my limit. I will get my bottle now. Thx

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 5, 2018

Hello!

I receive daily emails from WebMD and today there was a presentation on Parkinson's. I thought you might find it interesting. Here is the link, https://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/ss/slideshow-parkinsons-overview?ecd=wnl_day_080518_Default&ctr=wnl-day-080518-Default_nsl-ld-stry&mb=WwsUmkeCrJ9gS1kaTHPu3xXFE73IOX1c%2fHw71ha3re8%3d

Teresa

REPLY
1 reply
dfelix | @dfelix | Aug 6, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello! I receive daily emails from WebMD and today there was a presentation on Parkinson's. I..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello!

I receive daily emails from WebMD and today there was a presentation on Parkinson's. I thought you might find it interesting. Here is the link, https://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/ss/slideshow-parkinsons-overview?ecd=wnl_day_080518_Default&ctr=wnl-day-080518-Default_nsl-ld-stry&mb=WwsUmkeCrJ9gS1kaTHPu3xXFE73IOX1c%2fHw71ha3re8%3d

Teresa

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Thanks Teresa it was very informative. It really helps to understand what's happening. She had a relative good 2 days

REPLY
dfelix | @dfelix | Aug 6, 2018
In reply to @lsdempsey "I have fairly constant back pain. I use a roller, stretch, and do my BIG exercises...." + (show)
@lsdempsey

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.

Jump to this post

Susan needs to hydate too. Her pain tends to be in her arm. I think she needs to do some arm exersizes

REPLY
dfelix | @dfelix | Aug 6, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @dfelix Thanks for the additional information about your wife's pain problem. Have you and your..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @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

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Her appointment with neurologist is Aug 14. Then 2nd opinion at Mayo early sep. Thank you for your help.

REPLY
susan62 | @susan62 | Aug 6, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @susan62 and welcome to Mayo Connect and the Parkinson's (PD) discussion group. I am glad..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

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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No, I have not had a MRI of my brain and/or spinal column. When I go to the Mayo at the first of Sept I am scheduled to have an EMG and then see a neurologist. Yes, I am having trouble writing. It hurts to hold a pen. My writing gets smaller as I write. My internist at the Mayo asked me this and said it was one of the symptoms of PD. Very odd to experience. The symptoms I have are so strange.
I do have trouble from time to time getting earrings in and the backs on. I am much slower doing things in general. My walking is not bad at this point. The differences are that I tend to walk on the balls of my feet and tend to not swing my right arm. I have to constantly think heel toe and to swing my right arm.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 6, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @susan62 and welcome to Mayo Connect and the Parkinson's (PD) discussion group. I am glad..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

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

Jump to this post

Hello @susan62

I asked about an MRI because it is usually done to rule out any other disorders of the brain, but it does not diagnose PD. The handwriting problem is so common with PD, also the slowness and the lack of arm swinging. In Steve's post, @lsdempsey, he mentions "BIG" exercises. BIG is a specific type of physical therapy for PD. It trains you to make bigger movements than you would naturally. Part of BIG therapy is also the LOUD portion where you learn to talk louder - we with PD tend to have softer voices. Here is some information about this type of therapy, https://www.lsvtglobal.com/LSVTBig.

The constant thinking about "how to walk" was something that I experienced as well until I started to take the PD meds. I generally don't have to think about it quite so much now (unless I'm very fatigued and/or it's been a while since I had my last dose of PD meds). Are your symptoms worse when you are tired or are they always the same?

I'm glad that you continue to post, this will help you pull together all of those symptoms that you can discuss with your neurologist at your next appointment.

Teresa

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 6, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @dfelix Thanks for the additional information about your wife's pain problem. Have you and your..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @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

Jump to this post

@dfelix

I hope that you will post an update after she has these appointments. I wish you both well and I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

REPLY
susan62 | @susan62 | Aug 6, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @susan62 and welcome to Mayo Connect and the Parkinson's (PD) discussion group. I am glad..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

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

Jump to this post

Teresa,
Does PD stem and flow from being better to being the same or worse from one day to the next? The last two days were quite good until night(was manageable though). Now today has been pretty hard. Pain in right hand/wrist and arm. Had hard time with fine motor coordination. Eating at restaurant was kinda embarrassing. Difficult managing fork and knife.

REPLY
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