Hubby only 33 and might have PD

Hopes 1 post 10-Sep-2008 2:49 PM	My husband is only 33 and 3 weeks ago when he got up for work he had a bad tremor in his left hand. It is a resting and postural tremor. Since then the tremor never stops except at night. His balance is getting bad and his left leg almost seems like it can't keep up at moments. He has a weird internal tremor usually when the tremor in his hand is not as bad. The arm that tremors has muscle wasting in the fore arm. He is so tired and can't seem to sleep at night. Can PD happen so suddenly? We are waiting for the MRI and CT. He sees the neurologist in a week. Any info and suggestions would be great. Does any have young children and PD how does it affect the family. Last Edited on 13-Sep-2008 11:04 AM
JimOC 30 post s 10-Sep-2008 3:17 PM	Welcome Hopes- There are dozens of well-informed and kind-hearted patients and care-givers that follow this Board and will weigh in here. Please make sure your neurologist is a movement-disorders specialist, and try to find a local support group too. Look at the APDA and NPF websites. You're not alone. In our support group, there were 13 households that had a total of 24 minor children at parent's diagnosis. Those kids (average age 9-10) were more adaptable than their parents, and had a deeper appreciation of family life. Best of luck. Last Edited on 10-Sep-2008 3:28 PM
Hatteras 6 post s 10-Sep-2008 5:18 PM	That is pretty much how mine started 8 months ago at age 38. I would suggest you see a MDS and also get a 2nd opinion. I hope it is not PD. Don't worry too much about the kids, they are very resilient. When I feel bad, I just look at them and know I need to be strong. PD is challenging but with right treatment, you & your family will make it.
opera singer 7 post s 10-Sep-2008 5:57 PM	Hopes... my husband was officially diagnosed a week ago after 4 years of every test imaginable. He does not have any tremor at the moment, but suffers from stiffness in his neck, arm and shoulder; numbness in his face; and a bit of a drag in his leg. We had a hint that this was going to be his diagnosis and have had a few months of researching and chatting with other PWPs and spouses about their experiences before it was official. This has been a blessing to us and showed us how to keep the hope alive. The chat room here is hosted by a couple who both have PD and they are a wealth of information and support... as are all of the others that visit the room. We have a 3 year old son and hope to have another child soon! While we know the road ahead is going to be different than the one we imagined, we are not going to live our lives in fear of the things that haven't happened yet (and never may... PD is different for everyone). Good luck to you and your family.
Matt DFW 14 post s 10-Sep-2008 7:26 PM	Hopes I am 32 and was dx at 28 two years after my symptoms began. I now have a two year old daughter and while I can't change diapers I still feed her, take her for walks, etc. Once your husband gets his situation under control and you can either treat it or start to medicate your lives should stabilize. PD is a weight on your back you either carry it or you try to toss it off and live. Took me some time to figure it out but I did. Good luck.
michelle 160 post s 10-Sep-2008 9:47 PM	Hopes - I am 40 and was dx'd at age 38. I have 2 boys ages 6 and 4. I really hope your husband does not have pd. Definitely talk to a movement disorder specialist and get a second opinion. After two years I am on the same dose of medicine and my symptoms are under control. I walk my boys to school and take them to the park. There is a lot of good options (meds) out there. Hang in there - Michelle
pxxx 2 post s 11-Sep-2008 12:55 AM	Hopes Am 42 and have a son whos 10 i had ps for 5 6 years before i was dx.Adam has been great now when am having a bad day he knows what it is Its better he can say to his friends that my mums got ps then we dnot know whats the matter with her. Am not saying its not hard for him but you would be surpised how they can adapat very quickly .Just be honest they can understand more than you think. Hope is not ps but youre not alone . Good luck Pxxx
DB 10 post s 11-Sep-2008 3:53 PM	My youngest is nine and has just accepted the situation. She noticed the tremors before I had a diagnosis, she's very perceptive and sensitive. She is fine, however, please don't worry aout the kids they are often more adaptive than the adults.
stcyme 9 post s 11-Sep-2008 6:09 PM	I have been formally diagnosed for about 8 months now. I have two sons, twins, age 14. They call me "Twitchy." It's their light hearted way of handling things, especialy since I can't always hide the side effects and symptoms. The biggest obstacle with the kids for me is that I have been homeschooling since the 5th grade. They are in the 9th grade and I would hate to send them bacl to public school and have them feel like they were too much of a burden on me. They are a lot of help if I'm tired or having a bad day, infact, they probably behave better on my bad days. I'm learning that kids are lot stronger and wiser than we give them credit for.
Hopes 2 post s 13-Sep-2008 11:04 AM	Thank you everyone for your replies. I am not sure how long it will take to get answers but everyday he seems to get worse. His right arm now does not swing when he walks. If it is PD and it is progressing so fast does that mean even with medication it will continue to progress quickly. This has all happened in less then a month, it is very overwhelming for my husband who is very active and loves to rock climb and hike. Looking back we do see other symptoms. Like me nagging at him because he almost seemed lazy and apathy to everything. I would always ask him what was wrong because at times his face seemed to show no emotion. We have a five year old boy and seven year old daughter. My husband is on short disability. He can not work because he is a power lineman apprentice. I have always stayed at home with the children. How life can change so fast. We were already dealing with my seven year old nephew who has brain cancer that is really rare and very fatal. Anyone out there from Calgary Alberta and can recommend a good Movement Disorder specialist.
vienna 42 post s 13-Sep-2008 2:06 PM	Hi Hopes, I am sorry that your family is going through such a rough time. It is good that your doctor is trying to rule out other causes for your husband's symptoms with the MRI and CT Scan. Luckily you are seeing a neurologist shortly. Hopefully he or she will provide you with some answers. If it is PD it can take awhile to be diagnosed as there are no definitive tests for PD. If you do not find any answers with a regular neurologist then your best bet is a Movement Disorder Doc. I live in Victoria and had to go across to Seattle to see a specialist there. It was over a year and a half wait to see the specialist's at UBC. I wanted answers faster. It was not a large expense to see the specialist. It was worth the trip. She diagnosed me and then got ahold of the doctor's at UBC and was able to speed up the wait time for me. It was very helpful. I am not sure of MDS's in Alberta, you can contact the Parkinson's Society there and they can usually help or your neurologist will probably send you some place else if he is not sure what is going on. All I know is that you have to be very proactive in your husband's care or things sometime take alot longer than they should. Ask alot of questions. Cheers, Vienna
michelle 164 post s 14-Sep-2008 10:52 PM	HI Hopes - I realize that this is kind of a Hail Mary way to prevent a pd dx, but has he been tested for Lymes disease? I know, everyone gets tested and we still all have pd. But, it sounds like it's progressing very fast. Plus, you mentioned he hikes and rock climbs. I have one friend who had lymes disease and the neurological symptoms do mimic pd. Good luck - Michelle
chirstinam 6 post s 26-Sep-2008 9:34 AM	I know that I've had symptoms of pd for several years. It was progressing slowly until I started meds for depression then it sped up rather quickly. Once I started on PD meds most of my symptoms are under control.
Hopes 3 post s 27-Sep-2008 4:52 PM	Thanks for the info chirstinam that is very interesting that you said that the symptoms sped up when you took antidepressants. I made my husband go to the doctors three weeks before the sudden onset of symptoms because he seemed to have no interest in anything. They gave him Cipralex. I wonder if it triggered the PD to speed up?? He went off the medication in the middle of Aug but he is no better. The Neurologist told us "he does not fit in a box" how very informative LOL He is waiting for a MRI but the neurologist seems to be leaning towards PD. Everything seems to take so long. In the mean time my poor hubby suffers.

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