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[NancyJHP]

Hi! I just joined and hope to find out more about Parkinson's. After researching my symptoms online, I came across this site and downloaded the app. My order of acquiring symptoms seems to be a little different from the textbook norm. I've already been diagnosed with a mild cognitive impairment, but I still work everyday. The usual websites seem to indicate that cognitive impairment (memory loss, confusion) only happens in the very last stage. Has anyone else experienced this early on? I'm only 52. Thanks.

[arwenmark]

With PD there is no textbook norm. Every case is different . My husband started with balance issues and some tremor . In the five years since diagnosis he has developed some memory issues, unawareness of dangerous activities, bowel and bladder problems, swallowing and speech issues and Hallucinations . The cognitive impairment may also mean you have a different Parkinsonism, like PSP or CBD or MSA.

[NancyJHP in reply to arwenmark]

Thank you. That is helpful. Sounds like he has the same issues as me, except for the swallowing and speech.

[GymBag]

Welcome

I am the resident grumpy old man. What you said seems a bit unusual . Something we see over and over is miss-diagnosis. What were the qualifications and experience of the person who diagnosed the PD and what did they base it on and similarly the cognitive impairment. What are your symptoms and what medications are you taking?

52 is unusually young for either and there are many reasons for memory loss and confusion, high blood pressure etc. What effect did the medications have on your symptoms ?

[Bailey_Texas in reply to GymBag]

He doe say he was diagnosed only researched the web.

[Hikoi in reply to GymBag]

This podcast gives some differing perspectives gymbag

soundcloud.com/world-parkin...

[Bailey_Texas]

Have you been diagnosed.

[S70AWD]

I was diagnosed first by my primary care doctor, then by a local neurologist, and finally by a Parkinson specialist / MDS at the U of P Hospital in Philadelphia. So I'm pretty sure I do have PD. I am still in the early stages, mostly right side tremors, but I have also started to experience cognitive impairment and speech and swallowing problems. So far no balance or freezing issues. So it all comes upon each one of us differently, and all you can do is take it as it comes, one day at a time.

[ddmagee1]

It is my experience, living with PD, that my symptoms, also, are a bit different, in the order listed; however, I have come to realize that in reality, it seems like there are variants of “Parkinsonism”, that are classified under the general term PD. Each person has symptoms differently, and to a different level of severity. That is why, I prefer to think of this ailment as a neuro-degenerative disorder. The extent of the symptoms, depends upon where, in the brain, neuro-degeneration has occurred. Basically, the substantia nigra area is affected, from what original research revealed; however, further neuronal damage can occur in some other areas, from what some researchers conclude, and the only way to know, for sure, what Lewy Body/neuronal damage has been done, is at autopsy. Textbooks state this information, publically. It makes sense that the disease process is different for each person, dependent upon the extent of neuronal degeneration. Some people are very fortunate and have mild symptoms most of their lives. Others, have a more rapid progression of neuronal degeneration. Some people, I believe, may have a combination of ailments, which present a challenge to a neurologist/ movement disorders specialist. Accurate diagnosis is a challenge and only a trained neurologist or movement disorders specialist are equipped to do this. I would recommend getting a second opinion, also, because accurate diagnosis and treatment is important. Levodopa treatment for Parkinson’s patient’s can be very helpful in relief of symptoms, for example. A diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment should have a root cause, that, perhaps, your Doctor could discuss with you and then go from there. Good luck as you seek information. Knowledge is power, as the saying goes.

[Hikoi in reply to ddmagee1]

This podcast explains mci and how it happens in pd. it supports much of what you write ddmagee. I hope you find it interesting.

soundcloud.com/world-parkin...

[ddmagee1 in reply to Hikoi]

Hikoi , thank you so much for sending this. It explains exactly what I was trying to write. King’s college research and the community of researchers in Great Britain have, I believe, done many good things in helping physician’s and patient’s understand much about the pathophysiology of what consists of neuro-degenerative diseases, and, perhaps, more research will bring more medicine and other ways to help those of us who suffer from the detrimental effects of the neuro-degeneration of Parkinson’s Disease. This is most interesting and for me, personally, verifies the many motor and autonomic symptoms that I’ve had over the years. Also, levodopa helps me with tremors, but does not help me with balance problems, or my swallowing problems, as an example. Actually, I learned more from this, than from what my neurologist has told me. This explanation really got into the details! Thanks again!!! You’ve done a good deed in helping me today!

[Hikoi in reply to ddmagee1]

So pleased you found it interresting ddmagee

[Sleeplessparki]

Welcome aboard!! I was the class of 2010 at age 52 as well. I’m now 59 and am just starting to decline at a more rapid pace. I enjoyed roughly 5 years of relative bliss but now I’m experiencing more ridgetidty and tremors primarily on my right side, can’t sleep, can’t roll over in bed, small motor skills are gone, bladder issues, to name a few! I’m not complaining others on this site have it worse. I hope your situation turns out better than mine

Best wishes

[NancyJHP in reply to Sleeplessparki]

My rigidity is terrible. I'm interested how you say you can't roll over in bed. My significant other has been complaining for months now that instead of rolling I've been doing a jump, flop type thing instead of just rolling. Is this what you do or did?

[Sleeplessparki in reply to NancyJHP]

I have to actually get out of bed with a lot of pain and approach the bed with my right leg and kinda push myself up and then turn to my right or left depending on which side I want to sleep on and flop down, also I have to stay close to the edge of the bed otherwise it makes matters worse. As I said I have bladder issues so I have to go to the bathroom 5 times a night sometimes with urgency so it is imperative I’m near the edge. It’s a wonderful life lol

[Hikoi in reply to NancyJHP]

Nancy jumpflop sounds a very apt description of my way of rolling over. Difficulty in turning in bed was one of my pre diagnosis symptoms

[Donzim]

Please read my other posts...we used every thing, in and outside the usual medical advice, so had a lot of experience. You may find the rigged stationary bike helpful. Rehab can teach you a technique on how to get out of bed. Rehab is very important to teach you techniques on how to deal with various problems. Find the Big and Loud program at your local hospital...a great program.

There are various supplements which can help cognitive issues. We used pycnogenol, DMG, C and anything which improves circulation to the brain.

[NancyJHP]

I've been using the stationary bike at the Y a few times a week, that helps me, but nobody had suggested it for my rigidity issues. I've been rolling out of bed myself, I didn't think about rehab techniques, but my daughter is a physical therapist so I will ask her.

[park_bear in reply to NancyJHP]

Some form of levodopa, preferably time release, should help with the rigidity issues. Worries about early use of levodopa increasing dyskinesias have been put to rest so there is no good reason not to avail yourself of this treatment.

[Hikoi]

Nancy. mild cognitive impairment (mci) is just so common in PD and not at all unusual to have it early on. It doesnt mean you are heading for dementia in case you are wondering. Some meds can make it worse in some people. The podcast I posted above is worth checking out, it talkes about cognitive problems and others.

Here is the link

soundcloud.com/world-parkin...