Painful rigidity

[KWright59]

My name is Kevin and I'm writing for my wife Katie. She was diagnosed in 2010. She is 58 and having extreme rigidity in her left arm. It is really painful for her. Does anyone have a recommendation for some relief? She is taking Sinemet, Ropinirole and just recently started trying medical marijuana. Thank you

[M-o-ggy]

Chinese hot cupping does it for me plus magnesium

[johntPM]

What are the doses of the drugs that your wife is taking and when is she taking them?

I am not a doctor, but it sounds like dystonia to me. This is common as the disease progresses. You can get a clue as to whether this is the case by noticing when the stiffness is at its least. If it is dystonia, it is likely to be at its least painful at the time of maximum concentration of levodopa, about 1 hour after taking Sinemet.

Increasing the levodopa dose may make a difference.

John

[luba1]

Luba1

Hi, I have the same problem but with arm and mostly the leg. I am trying to figure out what kind of marijuana she takes? Does it help?? Thank you so much!!

[Jeansm]

At same age I had same problem, before PD diagnosis. I had a steroid injection which removed major pain for long enough to get the arm mobile, then shoulder exercise programme to keep it mobile plus 6 months later started Sinemet for continuity of pain control. 3 years later I have full use of my arm, though arm swing still reduced, and only slight pain between elbow and shoulder when Sinemet wears off. I continue take 4- 5 hours exercise per week.