My first symptom was slowness/weakness in my left hand. I first noticed it when playing the piano.

Others?

Thanks for the input. Mihai

The next sympton was pain in my right shoulder. I think it was intensified because I spend alot of time on the phone at work and was cricking my neck to hold the phone.

A combination of my medicines and a headset have helped me so far to aleviate much of this pain!

(still have the slowness and tremor in my right hand).

Last Edited on 20-May-2009 4:24 PM

A year or two later at thanksgiving dinner my teenage nephew asked why uncle frankie's hand was shaking. To this day, my 5 siblings know what's going on but my parents and grandparents don't really want to discuss. Well, my sisters fiance quitly kicked the nephew and said, Uncle Frankie just needs a drink.

It was funny.

Um, weakness on my right side, difficulty swallowing and speaking "differently". Then it was the right sided shoulder and ear pain. The rest came like a landslide really. Not the nice slow progression that's supposed to be YOPD. However, it was during a time of intense, unending stress.

Good question!

Mihai

Jen

P.S I'm originally from Ireland and I hear you like listening to irish music,any favourites?

I'm glad this post has been helpful to you. I thought it might have some merit for those wondering about the range of initial symptoms. Glad to help!

If you have any questions, let me know.

I love Irish music. I have two CDs by a group called Celtic Thunder. I listen to them all the time! I absolutely love the songs, the sounds, all of it...have you ever heard them? They are often found on public broadcast TV...they are great!

My mom's side of the family came from England in the early 1900's...so I have a good bit of English blood in me.

Blessings on you,
Mihai (Mihai is Michael in Romanian...I have no Romanian in me...but I spent time there in graduate school and the name sort of stuck!)

Iam 43 it started with the toes on my right foot curled under about 7 years ago .When i was dx the doctor said that it was 1 of the 1st signs of young onset parkinsons

Pxxx

How do you like Stalevo? I've been on that for a few years now. I take 200 four times a day. I'm also on Selegiline. I find that combination to be fairly effective for now.

Thanks to everyone for the responses. Keep them coming. I find the responses intriguing...what a variety of initial symptoms. This has already proven helpful for some. I pray for that to continue.

Blessings on you all,
Mihai

Glad you've joined us. I know that getting that PD diagnosis can be a difficult thing, but don't let it scare you. We are all here to help you in any way we can. I was diagnosed about 8 years ago at the age of 33. My progression has been fairly gradual, but I do have many PD symptoms. There are many good and insightful people on this message board. Read through the posts and educate yourself as best you can. There are many things that you can do to help your functioning. If you have any questions, ask. I have gained much insight into the disease process just by "hanging out" here.

Thanks for posting the message. Keep your chin up and know that you are not alone. We are right here beside you, struggling with you, and living one day at a time!

God bless you,
Mihai (Michael)

Noticed resting tremor in upper left arm while watching the playoffs (hockey) in April '04 at the age of 25. Yes, I'm Canadian.

Diagnosis within a year of April '04.

Mihai

Last Edited on 17-Jun-2009 8:43 PM

Thanks for posting. Your symptoms sound consistent. I was diagnosed at age 33 (now 40). If it turns out to be PD, you might need to slow down, but carefully evaluate your OWN situation and progression. As I'm sure you've already read, this disease hits everyone differently in terms of symptoms and progression. You probably will have many years left to work...I still work a full-time job with relative ease, but have had to make accommodations here and there as the PD has progressed.

Thanks for your first post. Hang around here for support, information, and encouragement.

We're all here for you!
Mihai (Michael)

P.S. - I also have two small children...I started way late!!!

I'm sorry you are experienceing so many tough symptoms and can't find any answers or help.

Your symptoms in a lot of ways seem puzzling..some seem like PD while others don't. Perhaps they are "atypical"....which I know less about. But figuring out what IS going on has obviously been challenging.( six neuros could not figure it out so far. that alone, says something! It's tricky!) so it is good you are going to the Mayo Clinic. hopefully they will help you sort it out once and for all...but they could be stumped too). Then YOU may have to become your own detective..

You mentioned working in a factory...any chance you are/were exposed to unusual chemicals, by-products, molds, toxins, pesticides, fertilizers, fumes,etc etc. Many environmental contaminants effect the nervous system of mammals, including us.

do you eat well, able to sleep, able to think normally,can you apply your efforts and accomplish a normal amount of work, etc? Move normally? You already answered some of these ?s above. Have you experienced injuries, especially to the head, does anyone one else you know have similar symptoms especially people you worked with, are they related or not. Is yor community on top of an old landfil, near any toxic dumps, etc. do you eat any unusual foods or rely heavily on specific foods, drinks, that you consume in higher ratio than normal? Is your source for drinking water pure and free of contaminants?

and if you still draw a blank....before you go to bed ask your wise and observing mind to help you. You may laugh if you wish but I am serious. Respectfully ask your Larger Mind "what is important for me to know about my health problems?" Contemplate that before you go to sleep each night and then pay attention to your dreams and thoughts upon waking up. If you do this with sincerity you will get some leads. Your Larger Mind has been remembering , observing and attending, integrating, much more than we are consciously aware of. If you think this is silly then it won't work. If you respect your Larger Mind and are sincere it can assist you in your efforts to figure out what 's going on.. It LIKELY WILL NOT label your exact disorder but instead it may point you in the direction you should be looking for answers.The important thing is to remain open to any response. It may be straightforward or very metaphorical. you will have to assign meaning or interpret the response.
and remember to thank your mind for any help it provides you. A little courtesy goes o long ways:)

I gotta go....good luck,

EMD

There are many types of movement disorders and they are complex and difficult to diagnose especially those due to environmental causes or factors..

Good luck at the Mayo. Hope someone or YOU can help you figure out what is happening to you. And remember you know much more than anyone who tells you or implies that it is all in your head. Trust your instincts, experiences and self knowledge and Larger Mind and keep looking for someone who will respect your observations and experiences. Good luck

EMD

Anyone else want to add their 2 cents???!!!

Peace,
Mihai

For me my gait seemed off for a while. Then, UNGODLY PAIN IN MY NECK that required serious narcotics! That resulted in two cervical fusion surgeries before I was accurately diagnosed. after that, the usual PD symptoms - action tremor, short steps, arms not swinging, facial masking, balance, dystonia, etc.

Now I have cervical problems and PD.

John Noland

Last Edited on 29-Jun-2009 3:51 PM

Thx for listening, Bonnie

You are dealing with quite a bit. I can sure empathize with you regarding the handwriting. I cannot write anything legible, whether printed or in cursive. It is all chicken scratch! That's probably one of the most frustrating things for me...not to be able to jot a note, a phone number, etc... I type everything I can, which is not always convenient. I guess it's all part of the fun we PWP deal with! I know it could always be worse...

Blessings,
Mihai

Thanks,
Mihai

Thanks for starting an interesting, helpful thread. I was just diagnosed at age 40, seven years after my initial symptom of an action/postural tremor in my right hand- I was initially diagnosed with essential tremor. Presented with:

1999-2002 Started experiencing panic attacks and social anxiety/phobia (this presents before motor symptoms in some cases of PD- especially those with a genetic link)
2002 action/postural tremor in right hand noticeable (before this I started taking "fuzzy" photos with our camera)
2003 focal dystonia in right foot when walking or exercising** (Note: this is quite rare and is an early indicator of PD when making differential diagnosis- I began to fear PD when this started though my neuros were more cautious in making that leap)
2004 slight right foot drag; friends I hadn't seen in a long time noted that I moved more slowly or gingerly
2005- some back rigidity; unexplained stiffness in right shoulder (has disappeared); horrible handwriting; fumbling with small motor tasks like getting change from my wallet
2008- hand tremor quality changed to more of a resting tremor and some dystonia when tremor is really super-amped

Tremor and foot dystonia have been my constant companions so far on this journey. Of all these symptoms, I hate the tremor the most; I think because it is the first indicator for me and the one that requires the most social "damage control". Fortunately, it's super responsive to meds. Symptom I find least troubling right now is rigidity.

HTH!

www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/reflux.htm

or just enter parkinson's disease acid reflex in the search box.

I have read in literature put out by the PDFoundation (pdf.org) that the most commom GI-PD related problems are
excess saliva.,difficulty swallowing, nausea, decreased frequency of bowel movements and defecatory dysfunction, weight loss. However, it is my understanding that problems can occur anywhere along the length of the GI tract.

The PD Foundation has materials you can look at on line, download or order for free. The one titled Gastrointestinal and Urinary dysfunction in PD is especially informative.
While the article discusses more serious GI problems with PD you will see that acid reflux can certainly be a PD issue.

I'm bothered with mild swallowing issues,acid reflux, slow stomach emptying,stomach gas and bloating, and of course, constipation. Wa hoo!

Any of the newbies to the site want to add their input to this topic?

Thanks,
Mihai

Last Edited on 20-Jul-2009 10:26 AM

For filo013 - getting to a specialist, an MDS (movement disorder specialist) is a good idea. The trouble with pd is that there is not one complete test to prove you have it. Usually it starts with a bunch of symptoms (these vary per each person). The neuro does ct scan of the brain to rule out ms, als, stroke. Then you're left with pd. The final test is usually levedopa. They give you some to see if it alleviates your symptoms. If so, they move forward with that. Getting a proper dx can be a long and frustrating process. Plus, who wants to have pd anyway? I'm 41 - I was dxd on my 38 bday. I definitely have pd based on the progressing symptoms and how they respond to the meds. Good luck and hang in there. It is important to find out what's causing it and to fix the symptoms.