My Mom is 61 years old..........she has developed tremors in her jaw/tongue and in her left hand. She has servere muscle weakness and can barely get herself dressed. I have noticed drool running down her face. She is a lot slower and has trouble even getting out of a chair. She also stumbles a lot and has told me that she her legs get weak and feel wierd sometimes. She had a physical and all her blood test/etc. came back perfect. She has an appt. with a neurologist this Thursday. I found out today that her symptoms started 2 years ago when her arm would freeze and she would notice that it didn't swing when she walked. I have spoken with a couple doctors and have done a lot of research and it all points to Parkinson's Disease. Of course I won't know for sure until she sees the neurologist but I am trying to prepare myself.
Anyone out there that can please share what their first symptoms were and how long it took you to get diagnosed..........Did medication help you return to feeling normal or somewhat normal? Please share with me whatever you can. My mom is in denial and I think this is gonna be a huge blow to her. I don't want her to think her life it over. Anything that any of you can share with me that I can later pass on to my Mom would be so much appreciated!
What can I do to help her? without making her feel dependent on me?
Thank you to everyone that took the time to read this and respond!
I hope all works out for your mom.Could be parkinson's disease,but that is for a neurologist to determine.Iam 61 ,and was dx with parkinson in 98.It was not the end of the world for me.Medications have helped me live a semi normal life which I enjoy immensly.I have learned to deal with the disease ,and not let it stop me from enjoying life. you asked about symptoms.Let me start by saying that with PD they vary with everyone that has the disease.My symptoms started with a tremor in my finger,and progressed to walking problems then on to a tremor on my left side.The rest is history,I've Had 7 yrs to learn to cope,but I"ll never forget how low I went when I first heard from the neurologist PD.Denial,and Depression overtook me for a short time.Time the great healer along with medication and family support pulled me up.I wish the best for both you and your mom.I can be reached by e or at this forum..EDEd
I am 49 and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease several years ago. My first symptoms were numbness and a tingling sensation in my legs and feet. I then developed a tremor in my right hand, followed by tremors in my head, jaw and back. Within one year, I developed bilateral tremors and classic Parkinson's postural and gait problems. I am able to manage about 80% of my Parkinson's sypmtoms with a combination of medications. I have learned to cope and adjust my lifestyle to compensate for my disease. Because Parkinson's is degenerative in nature, new symptoms surface and the severity of existing symptoms increase as time goes on. I am now on permenant disability. As my disease progresses, I am finding that my medications are becoming less effective and that I require higher and higher doses taken at more frequent intervals.
I wish you and your mother the best of luck. If I can be of any further assistance please eo not hesitate to e-mail me.
You never have to grow up....
"take the second star to the right and straight on 'til morning"
Not long kristine .I went thru a battery of tests. ,as there are many diseases which have similar symptoms as PD,over about a week.I was fortunate in having an excellent movement disorder specialist at Mass.General Hospital. My first DX was in 98 by a GP.I ignored him and the disease{guess you could call it denial}until 2001 when I could no longer hide it from myself or anyone else.A foolish move on my part,as there is some evidence that some of the PD meds may slow progression of the disease.As Stella said I would see a movement disorder specialist.This would give you a neurologist that has gone on to specialize in PD as well as other movement disorders,and always get a second opinion.Welcome to Healing well.Best to you and your Mom.EdEd
Kristine, I'm glad your Mom is seeing a neurologist - hopefully a movement disorder specialist who specializes in Parkinson's disease. The neuro is the best judge of your Mom's situation.
I was diagnosed in 2001 at age 44, although in retrospect I had symptoms for 2-3 years before. Once I saw a neurologist (actually I saw 3), I was fairly quickly diagnosed even though my symptoms were minimal. They initially thought I had either essential tremor or Parkinson's. I went through a series of tests to eliminate other health issues. It then becomes a clinical diagnosis which was Parkinson's.
My primary symptom is tremor. However, no two people with Parkinson's will have the same symptoms, react the same to medications, or progress at the same rate. I have been VERY fortunate to have had a slow rate of progression - I still work full-time and do everything I ever did ... just with a slight shake/tremor.
Best of luck to you and your mother. Life goes on - you just change priorities and make the necessary accommodations. The best part of having Parkinson's is the wonderful people I have met. I hope you find that to be true as well.
I am surprised there are so many people suffer parkinson. I am glad I have a good product to protect myself now. I knew this product several months ago, then I introduced it to one of my parents' friend who would fall down when walking and hands keep shaking. He fells much better after eating the product for 1.5 months. Now, both of my parents eat it everyday to keep their brain being good, so as to prevent parkinson or similar problems.
This new product is not for Parkinson only. It is the only one so far that can penetrate our blood brain barrier and Rejuvenate the mitochondrian of our brain cells.
It is an combination of the most effective natural nutrients that feed the mitochondria which give the brain energy. Mitochondrial decay is a very significant factor in aging and age- related degeneration such as memory loss, learning deficit, and motor dysfunction. The unique combination of ingredients in this product complements each other¡¦s functions and offers maximum effectiveness for brain cell revitalization. Its antioxidant properties also help to protect the nervous system from oxidative damage, slow neurodegeneration, and provide optimal functioning for the body¡¦s immune system.
So, once the brain cells are good, those problems will disappear. Some people having type II diabetes get better too after they take it.
This product has FDA certificate and has no side effect.
Hope the infomation is helpful for everyone.
Good luck.
Post Edited (Vivien) : 8/9/2005 12:48:27 PM (GMT-6)
hi kristene...my symptoms started with having difficulty getting my wallet out of my back pocket...then limping...then dragging my foot...then my arm started getting funky...slow moving...loss of strength,coordination...arm didnt swing when i walked...stuttering...slight weakness of voice occasionally...it took about a year and a half to get dx...my gen physician gave me some celebrex and sent me home...then sent me to pysical therapy...then i went to a chiropractor on my own...after a few months of treatment he suggested i see a neurologist...he thought i had MS...im taking a low dose of mirapex and it helps with most of the minor problems and some of the major ones...im purposely trying get by with as little meds as possible...i can still function ok...parkinsons is managable and you can live with it...everyone who has it has some of the same symptoms and different ones, but we are all unique in that the number of,and kind of symptoms, and rate of progression varies from one patient to the other, so do meds and doses...i suggest support groups in your area or online ones...once i got educated about the disease its not as scarey anymore...as a matter of fact im ok with it now...life does go on...the worst for me was the initial shock of finding out that i have it and going through the greiving process...i cannot stress strongly enough for me the importance of support and education of the disease...hope this was helpful...best wishes......steve
If the situation is really difficult to move ..you can use medical transportation as VIP airambulance that can take you to the best hospitels as my friend did
Another from the old saying guy: don't look at it as a problem, look at it as an opportunity. I've retired earlier than I expected. I am enjoying travel and relaxing. I don't have to finish all of the yardwork on weekends. We wanted a pet for years and now have two and the list goes on and on. Rent the Bucket List if you haven't see it already. As a matter of fact, rent all of the movies that you have been wanting to watch.
Kristine, My husband was dignosed with parkenson at the age of 47 . after a automobile accident. We went to a neugolgist to get a nerve conduction test done , this is where all hell broke loose. He tells us that he had parkinsons and basically gave a box of meds and didnt tell us anthing but come back in 6 weeks. his symtoms were just mnor like his arm not swinging a his hand had a tremor. My husband was in deniel and wasdepressed , he wouldnt talk to me . he became very angry and sucideld (this went on for a year ) he got to the point where his leg was affected and was dragging it . Finally he told me he wanted help . so after 1 1/2 years we found the best Dr. and Thanks God he put him on sinement, loydson,camtan and celexa for depression . He is now walking and i s a happy camper. The right meds and the right doctor is very important . Im 43 and never thought I would be dealing with this ; but with God on your side all things are possiable it has made our family of 4 come together . you can email me at aucoin4@cox.net any time .