Is it Parkinson's disease?

Diseases & Conditions Parkinson's Disease
1
Hi everyone, i just found this site.  about 2 years ago I started having a slight tremor in my left hand (I'm left-handed). Was able to hide that pretty good and continue writing up until about 1 year ago. I have since lost ability to write.  I also developed neuropathy in both feet. The neurologist said I had early on-set parkinson's disease.  However, I didn't believe him, I just wanted help with the pain in my feet and he was more concerned about Parkinson's disease. Anyway I found another neurologist about my feet and he diagnosed the neuropathy. Taking meds for that now, but tremor in my left hand is worse than ever. Second neurologist said could be Parkinson's disease, just to learn to write with my right hand.
I am on no treatment now for Parkinson's disease. I have rheumatoid arthritis and my rheumatologist said she doesn't think I have Parkinson's. So there I am. I too want to know what early symptoms other people had, how long before they progressed and how long until a proper diagnosis was given.
Any information would be helpful. I'm thinking of returning to the first neurologist.  He suggested I go to a movement specialist. Thanks.
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begonia,
First welcome to healing well.The best advice you got was to see an mds specialist.I was first dx with PD in 98 went into denial and forced into acceptance in 2001.Like you I started out with a slight tremor.Many diseases have similar symptoms as parkinson"s making it a hard disease to DX.the gold test is if PD meds help then you probably have PD.You mentioned you were being treated for PD,but did not mention the treatment nor if the treatment was effective.I would also add that no 2 PD victims have the same symptoms,and all progress at a different rate as well as react to meds differently.Finally see as many neurologists as it takes to figure out what you got .Stay well Ed

Ed

3

Welcome!

I agree with Ed ... that if you want to evaluate whether you have Parkinson's disease (PD) or not, see a movement disorder specialist (MDS). They specialize in PD. As you probably know, there is no definitive test for PD ... it's a process of elimination and then a clinical diagnosis.

I was diagosed fairly quickly by the third neuro I saw - a movement disorder specialist, I might add. Did several blood tests, EEG ( head, not heart - whatever it's called), scanned brain for cancer, etc, and an MRI. All were ok, so then a clinical (observation, etc) diagnosis.

My progression has been slow and I'm on a low dosage of meds. I was dx at 44, now 49. I've been VERY fortunate that my meds work well for now.  As Ed said, no two folks are alike re: symptoms, response to meds, progression rate, etc. Welcome aboard!

lizzy4451

Life is a dance. Don't sit it out. --- H. Jackson Brown