Finger exercise question : I do the finger... - Cure Parkinson's

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Finger exercise question

kaypeeoh profile image
18 Replies

I do the finger exercises videos that were posted a few days ago. I have Parkinson's that causes a left hand tremor. When doing the exercises I can't extend my left FU finger or ring finger. The pointing index finger and pinkie fingers extend normally.

Is this from PD or is it more likely from turning 65 years old? There is stiffness and pain from arthritis in the index finger but not in the other fingers.

TIA,

kpo

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kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh
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18 Replies
LAJ12345 profile image
LAJ12345

My ring finger won’t do it, the rest do and I’m not 65 and don’t have PD

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948

I’m 73 and have PD and can extend all fingers independently! Am I boasting?! Well yes but also pointing out what can happen if you play the piano every day!

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh in reply to Dap1948

Thanks for the notes. For the first time ever I had problems opening a jar of peanut butter,

docjleonard55 profile image
docjleonard55

I am a 66 yo PWP, diagnosed over 2 yrs ago after 2 years of misdiagnosis. I have a R sided tremor, About 6 months ago I started having a contraction of my R middle and ring fingers. I notice it mostly after I wake up because those 2 fingers will be curled, and difficult to straighten. I started doing stretching of the fingers ( putting all fingers together and pushing while maintaining palms outward, and stretching individual fingers separately). So far there has been no real worsening, although my ring finger sometimes feels tight. I do the stretching several times a day.

Seeker4 profile image
Seeker4 in reply to docjleonard55

When you were in your period of misdiagnosis, were you experiencing typical symptoms or were your providers doubtful that you had any condition that would suggest such a diagnosis? HWP symptoms flip-flop all around, current provider seems to throw doubt on all. MRI inconclusive, but I expected that. So frustrating. . .thanks for any advice. Have a good day.

docjleonard55 profile image
docjleonard55 in reply to Seeker4

I think my symptoms were pretty typical; and progressive, from mild tremor to limited arm swing to balance issues. Of course she said she was an expert in Parkinsons! The last straw was telling me she thought it was psychosomatic and would eventually go away! Got a new doc a month later who made the dx right away. If you are not satisfied with your MD, get another one whom you can trust. Yes, symptoms fluctuate from day to day. Doesn't mean they can't make a diagnosis. Maybe keep a log. I did for a while, but stopped due to laziness

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh

Over time I was diagnosed with MS, then APS a clotting disorder similar to Lupus, then a DVT, then hypertension, then 100% obstruction of one of the main coronary arteries and finally PD. My symptoms aren't typical for PD. I don't respond to sinemet or rytary. For 30 years my hobby was welding using a flux-core wire. Flux core wire is known for having a high percentage of manganese. I never used a mask.

Smart doctors try to find a root problem that explains all or most of the symptoms. For me that might be manganese. Once it's gone it can't be found in the blood. It causes the signs typical of PD: Tremor, balance problems, dyskinesia and bradykinesia. But if I quit welding I hope the body might heal itself.

Seeker4 profile image
Seeker4

Wow! And your diagnoses run the gamut. You went through a lot. Hope you are doing well now. HWP did really well with C/L, hopeful that we can get a determination. He had s/s before any of the visits started. We will pursue!

gginto profile image
gginto

I'm thinking cause ur hand has changed due to 65 years of living... i got left hand tremor and all fingers dead straight... but who knows? PD is a sneaky condition

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh

The hand seems a lot better today. The index and ring fingers seem normal. Just the FU finger bowing a bit. And not helping as I type on the laptop. Yesterday I saw the neuro for ultrasound of a lump in my upper back. They diagnosed it as a cyst so today I'm having surgery to remove it. Ah for the good old days when I could burn one of these off with liquid nitrogen. I've removed three of them off my shoulder and neck over the past 30 years. I've removed hundreds in my vet practice.

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh

The surgeon took one look and decided it needs a general anesthetic. So we wait another month.

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh

My wife reminded me that Dr Bortan had warned my hand might be weak after the botox injection. So that's the reason for my whining about the hand.

Redginger profile image
Redginger

Hey, are you left handed? Neuro said my husband's tremor was on his left side (arm/hand) mostly because of his left handedness. I wonder if most folks present that way.

faridaro profile image
faridaro in reply to Redginger

I am right handed and have left hand tremor and for some reason thought that tremor is more likely to develop in non-dominant hand because it's not used as much.

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh in reply to faridaro

I'm left-handed and have a left-hand tremor.

faridaro profile image
faridaro in reply to kaypeeoh

Now I know that there is no pattern - PD is totally unpredictable!

Sapeye2020 profile image
Sapeye2020

I read here , on this forum, a while back that Brains with PD should NOT have General Anesthetic applied.

I recently had surgery and requested it be done with a Spinal Block and a small amount of something to keep my eyes shut for 45 minutes, Versed (?). Best of the 7 significant surgeries I have had, no dry throat from the trach tube.

Sorry I do not recall the title of the article.

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace in reply to Sapeye2020

I agree with this. I wouldn’t have general anesthesia unless my life depended on it.

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