Does anyone else hold their arm like a stroke victim and stiffen their fingers until their arm aches?

[harding55]

I seem to do this a lot - especially when I am tired and/or it's time for my meds.

[Jeni]

my left hand does that and tremors so I really have to concentrate on relaxing to stop it from happening.

[Hidden]

My left hand turns into the CLAW! It's my shoulder that starts to hurt because I don't realize I'm not moving my arm. Thats on a not so great, not quite a bad, but could be better kind of day. Otherwise the meds seem to help me out most of the time.

[Jeni]

My shoulder hurts too...it is crazy, and my hand turns into whatever. My left side is my "shaky side..." so it does a lot. I don't take medicine yet, I did for a while but after reading a lot of books and research decided to go off of them and wait as long as I could. So far so good. I don't care any more what people think of my shaking, they will just have to deal with it or ignore it. No more hiding in the closet. I think it is time to educate people.

[harding55 in reply to Jeni]

My hand does also get like a claw and hurts into my shoulder. I had a torn rotator cuff on the left in Oct 2007 and that is the same time I was diagnosed with PD. I refused to take meds for 3 yrs and then got laid off afer 10 yrs. I am doing well on my meds - much more mobile and can drive much better. I agree with you on it's time to educate people but they can be rude sometimes and ask you stupid questions!

[Jeni in reply to harding55]

I am going on 3 yrs to of not taking meds. I am hoping to hold off a little bit longer, then will figure it out.

I am having a Parkinson's fundraiser and Awareness in my community in April hoping to educate people. At 48 I have time and hope to reach a lot of people. It is all about educating. I know what it feels like to have people give me crazy looks because I shake but it is just life and I tell them it is the Parkinson's. I never realized how many people didn't know about this disease. I also found out at my support group that none of them knew that April was Parkinson's Awareness Month...I was so shocked.

[hilarypeta in reply to Jeni]

I have taken no meds and have apparently had pd for 3 years..first and continuing signs is the lack of connectivity of my r arm and 2 little finger shake...dull pain at back of upper arm following from frozen shoulder...

[Hidden in reply to harding55]

Can't believe this! I had a torn rotator cuff operation feb 2011. During a follow up appt I was referred to a neuro and had definite diagnosis of Parkinson's in August following DAT scan. My left arm hangs like a sock with a weight in the end of it and my left hand claws. As everyone with Parkinson's is supposed to have varied symptoms it is nice to hear that someone is similar. I too refused meds but was advised by neuro to take 10mg daily of selegiline which still remains my only meds. xx

[harding55 in reply to Hidden]

wow! I tried azilect - had anxiety attacks and cried - so I quit and then in Dec 2010 started with carbidopa/levodpa 3 times a day and it has helped alot.

[grammy004]

my right arm turns into a monster all it's own about 5 or 6 in the afternoon...thankfully I live in AZ so it really is'nt cold here..but if it does get cold I turn into the claw tremor shakeing monster

[harding55]

Thanks everyone! It helps so much to know that other people are going thru much of the same issues.

[Kaycee]

I too have a left hand that "claws" and then my elbow bends... I've learned from this thread that I'm sure not alone in this.

[tlongmire]

Thank God we're not alone. This site has been a blessing.