Parkinsons ET: What exactly is Parkinsons... - Cure Parkinson's

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Parkinsons ET

bartogirl profile image
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What exactly is Parkinsons et?

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bartogirl profile image
bartogirl
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lempa_nik profile image
lempa_nik

I will guess that "etParkinsons" in Billynh's recent post refers to a combination of Parkinsons and Essential Tremor (ET). Or it might refer to the diagnostic sequence, ET first, followed later by Parkinsons. (Billynh, can you kindly clarify?)

Parkinson's and ET have overlapping but distinguishable symptoms, and have usually been regarded as separate diseases. However, there are indications that ET may predispose one to Parkinsons in some cases, as explained in essentialtremor.org/wp-cont... :

"Many differences exist between essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), the former being at least eight times more common than PD.

Up to 20% of patients with ET may develop PD, and 10% report a family history of PD. However, whether

ET is a risk factor for PD remains an unresolved and somewhat controversial issue. (Fekete R, Jankovic J.

Revisiting the relationship between essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. Mov Disord

2011;26:391-8). . . . .

A special picture or scan of the brain that measures the uptake of dopamine, such as DaTscan, can help

to differentiate between ET and parkinsonian tremor.Dopamine is depleted in patients with parkinsonism but not in patients with ET; therefore, scans showing depletion in dopamine are most likely parkinsonism and normal scans would suggest a more likely diagnosis of ET. These scans

are used as a tool to help the physician make an accurate diagnosis in difficult cases. "

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper

Hi Bartogirl. It is interesting reading dumpelkin's response to your question. I was diagnosed with Pd in 1992. At that time I had essential tremor as well as all the well-known symptoms of Pd. I did not have a resting tremor, which appears to be a different form of Pd to mine. Many of us share a bad walking gait, which I have managed to overcome, without the use of any levodopa medication.

Interestingly, every Pd patient I have ever met has been able to walk normally, once shown how! So it is quite clear to me that the success of my method is not confined to the odd person who happens to be able to make it work.

Also of interest is the fact that most of my Pd symptoms have also become much less pronounced, since I have been able to overcome the walking problems. I still have most of my Pd symptoms but they are very difficult to diagnose.

John

ancee profile image
ancee in reply to JohnPepper

I would definitely be interested in your method for walking. That is my main problem.

jillannf6 profile image
jillannf6

i too have problems in walking and cannot do ti unaided

any tips ?

lol jill A PSP person in the `uk

:-)

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