Symptoms of Parkinson's disease listed by the Mayo Clinic

[Pdgal]

People may experience:

Tremor: can occur at rest, in the hands, limbs, or can be postural

Muscular: stiff muscles, difficulty standing, difficulty with bodily movements, involuntary movements, muscle rigidity, problems with coordination, rhythmic muscle contractions, slow bodily movement, or slow shuffling gait

Sleep: early awakening, nightmares, restless sleep, or sleep disturbances

Whole body: fatigue, dizziness, poor balance, or restlessness

Cognitive: amnesia, confusion in the evening hours, dementia, or difficulty thinking and understanding

Speech: impaired voice, soft speech, or voice box spasms

Mood: anxiety or apathy

Nasal: distorted sense of smell or loss of smell

Urinary: dribbling of urine or leaking of urine

Facial: jaw stiffness or reduced facial expression

Also common: blank stare, constipation, daytime sleepiness, depression, difficulty swallowing, drooling, falling, fear of falling, limping, loss in contrast sensitivity, neck tightness, small handwriting, trembling, unintentional writhing, or weight loss.

Symptoms vary from Patient to Patient. The symptoms also can come and go for days, weeks even years. I had some symptoms in the beginning that I haven't had since the first year diagnosis.

[ddmagee1]

That says most of what's going on with my PD. Sinemet is very helpful, at this point. Before diagnosis, I was beside myself with the bothersome tremors, stiffness and standing, etc. Taking one day at a time is helpful. It is best not to dwell on bothersome systems but, rather, think about what one can do to ease symptoms and help oneself to remain positive, when things are not going so well.

[Rosabellazita in reply to ddmagee1]

How much sinemet do you take for tremor

[Pelley in reply to Rosabellazita]

Sinemet never has been able to completely arrest my tremor. The only thing I've found to relieve the "inside buzz"( i describe as my cell phone on vibrate) has been acupuncture.

Of course it includes the general relaxation and meditation of sorts that comes with the treatment, but Sinemet alone has never been successful in alleviating my tremor.

[kdmorgan9 in reply to Pelley]

So glad you mentioned the "inside buzz". I haven't thought of a name for it. I didn't relate it to PD. I thought maybe it was due to low blood sugar, tho often it wasn't low - have Type 1 diabetes, about 46 yrs. Am 73 yrs. Now I have another angle to observe and think it is very relevant. Thank you for info.

[Pdgal in reply to kdmorgan9]

You are so welcome

[ddmagee1 in reply to Rosabellazita]

3 pills a day- -25/100mg tab- - 30 taken 30 minutes before each meal.

[k100]

Good list

I deal with most of these to various deg

Im glad to see depression and mood symptoms included as these are the most dominating symptoms I deal with besides Bradykinesia

It's always strange to me why Bradykinesia isn't listed as a symptom

[kdmorgan9 in reply to k100]

Anxiety, depression & moodcrap are big for me. Dx'd w/ PD at age 59-60 yrs. Type 1 diabetes about 46 yrs ago. Have been treated for depression for last 40+ yrs. It is also related to diabetes. Medication helps a lot with careful monitoring for periodic necessary changes by an excellent psychiatrist. I firmly believe a good psychiatrist is necessary. Have not met a medical dr w/ the knowledge & experience to treat it well. I've had a med that worked great for a yr (sometimes a few yrs) & then was no longer effective & had to change to a different one. It is partly trial and error w/ finding right med and right dose. Individuals react differently. We're all the same; we're all different. And you didn't ask about this. Duh - I go off on tangents. Hope someone finds this helpful.

FFor me, I feel like my brain problems are worse than muscle problems in last cpl yrs. Forgetful, difficulty reasoning, poor judgement, slow processing speech I hear, difficulty finding the right words to express thoughts, just slow thinking, difficulty spelling even short words formerly automatic for me. Most other people don't notice it like I experience it. Do I sound like I'm only venting, or self-pitying? Have recently found myself stuck on self-pity - I think due in large part to my perceived brain changes.

[Pdgal in reply to kdmorgan9]

I can relate! No one understands until they have the same exact symptom.people without pd have no clue. Pity parties are good, just dont stay long.

Good meds & a great doctor on your team...good combination. You'recommend not alone.

[Pdgal in reply to k100]

It actually does; however, it just doesn't mention the word. Bradykinesia means slowness of movement and is one of the cardinal manifestations of Parkinson's disease. Weakness, tremor and rigidity may contribute to but do not fully explain bradykinesia.