Have any of you presented with an exercise induced dystonia in the foot?

[Conductor71]

This was my first suspicion that my atypical tremor was not ET but instead PD. I have read that this is a rare early symptom of Early Onset PD and wondered just how prevalent it is. Also wondering if it is associated with any particular genetic marker for PD....

[Hikoi]

What an interesting question. I had never thought of this before but i used to get what felt like cramp in my foot when out walking any distance. I thought maybe my shoes were tight. Now i realise it was on my affected side and it has gone since treatment.

As to genetic marker, I have done 23andme but where to start?

I have just briefly looked at a pubmed article and perhaps a link to familial pd. My brother was diagnosed same time as me and we were both in our 50's.

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[Conductor71 in reply to Hikoi]

Thanks to both for your response. I laugh whenever I see "rare" along with anything Early Onset PD...as if we aren't rare enough as it is. I used to have mine at first only when running and intermittently. It progressed to the point where I would have it every time I took my dog to the park for a walk. It did not respond so well to Mirapex, so I had to start Sinemet pretty early on.

I have a family history of tremor; my dad has what looks like ET and has grandfather had a tremor of some sort but was never diagnosed. In between generations, we have a history of Alzheimer's which really scares me. I know I have some genetic component and it has to be recessive, so that narrows down to three for me Park2, Park7 and DJ-1. This might be the same for you Hikoi as it is not expressed in your parents.

[StephCabo]

This was one of my very first symptoms that a physical therapist noticed. My Mom had PD, but I attributed it to a spinal cord injury. I slowly started noticing (and ignoring) other subtel symptoms until my husband finally asked me when I was going to tell him I had Parkinsons. So long story short, I guess clonus is not something to be ignored as it can be and early symptom of PD. Genetic? who knows, isn't that still the great debate?

[Conductor71 in reply to StephCabo]

Wow, your husband noticed. I think my mom noticed but was in denial. You would most definitely qualify for genetic studies since your mom has PD too. I recall asking my MDS if I could look into one and he said no they ony let in people who have direct relatives who have it. Then told me how rare genetic Parkinsonism is. I thought to myself as if it is not rare for a 32 year old women to present with a tremor in one hand?Yeesh. Anyway, I think the recent 23andme PD genetic study concluded that they have discovered only 25% of the genes involved...that means they will find a lot of us have genetic form of the disease.

[Conductor71]

Oh, meant to ask this question too. Has your ability to smell changed and do you have REM Sleep Behavior Disorder aka do you act out your dreams?

[HomeinVa]

Re: the foot problem....that was the sympton that red flagged the docs and earned me a diagnosis of YOPD. As for the dreams? My husband is now very attuned to me when sleeping. He got that way after I saved him from a bear by growling and scratching at him. I have been very vocal and move easier when asleep than when awake. Most nights I'm quiet, but he catches me before I fall. Glad I can still amuse him.

[Hikoi]

Conductor you ask 2 further questions - yes greatly diminished sense of smell for both me and my brother, REM sleep disorder for my brother but not me.

I have heard of Lack of smell, REM sleep disorder and constipation all being potential early indicators of PD.

[StephCabo]

I have sense of smell has diminished greatly. I just had a REM sleep study and the Doc said it checked out ok but I didn't have a nightmare that night. (of course) I do wake up acting out my dreams so I guess he wants to try more studies. My Neurologist also suggested a DAT (I think thats it) scan, but I have sever allergies and the dye would be a problem... As far as the PD trials go I did qualify for a genetic trial once but but was disqualified because I have a neuro implant in my belly (for other problems) and cannot have MRI's... My Mom had 2 cousins who also had Parkinsons... I find the genetic aspect interesting, and I for one believe can be genetic..Just my opinion though, at least I think some families are predisposed, just like celiacs disease which also I happen to have... Or could be head trauma too...maybe chemical exposure? Or I just figure "It is what it is", thats life.... I am grateful for every day even those I suffer.