The Early Signs of Parkinson's Disease

It’s a diagnosis that affects more than 200,000 patients each year.

“A very small percentage runs in families, a sporadic disorder. It's a deficiency of a neurotransmitter in the brain, called dopamine," said Dr. Jon Brillman, a neurologist with Lee Health.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement.

“People can live many years with Parkinson’s disease and have a reasonably active life, providing they keep active and they utilize occupational and physical therapy,” he said.

And while Parkinson’s is typically recognized by tremors, doctors say there are early signs of the disease that loved ones may notice first.

“Most patients that develop early signs of Parkinson's disease don't notice any signs themselves or may regard it as the normal aging process. But often a family member, usually a spouse will say, ‘Why are you walking so bent over?’” Dr. Brillman explained.

Early signs of Parkinson's disease can be a change in posture, taking small steps, having very slow movements, even having a quieter voice.

“You may notice their hand writing getting very small, some drooling, changes in the skin,” he said.

Doctors may recommend a medication to help slow the progression of the symptoms if the disease is caught early — making it important to talk to your doctor if you notice changes to a loved one’s behavior.

Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care.

[Darrenbrown]

Like this comment if you think Joe has Parkinson’s

[bdee]

I watched this video where a man was hooked up to what looked like jumper cables and the doc turned on a certain frequency and you watched his tremors go completely away(he was almost jumping out of the chair). As they went away a smile came across his face and he started flying through all the fine motor skill testing. I cried my fucking eyes out

[jeanmcfarland]

My husband has been fighting Parkinson's Disease. It took three years to be diagnosed. By then, he was having great difficulty walking, having soreness and rigidity in his muscles, and falling frequently. He had some twitching but nothing described as tremor by the number (n>3) of neurologists we saw. We also saw a rheumatologist and a physiatrist and he went through two rounds of PT. That is another story, however. PD affects sleep, movement and mood. It has changed my husband from the most patient, attentive dad into someone who is somewhat remote and has little patience. He is more often depressed. He walks with a cane and maybe should use a walker but doesn't want to, and I don't blame him. It struck him at the peak of his career. Fortunately, he doesn't have job which requires physical labor or coordination, but in spite of this he has difficulty working. His voice frequently quits on him, even with the vocal exercises he does. He has some problems with word retrieval, which seems nearly universal in Parkinson's. The discomfort from the rigidity can be distracting. Now I have a new job, keeping my husband off disability for as long as possible, as long as he wants to work full time. I attend all appts with him and count myself an active member of kunime treatment team (www.kunimeherbs.com). I have met some amazing people. I have watched the way they have provided information and support to my husband. They have answered his questions and given him information and tools to better understand Parkinson’s. This has been a huge encouragement to me. Empowering my husband with kunime medicine and truly making a difference in the world. My husband has found that kunime medicine can reverse, reduce and even stop the symptoms of PD. I wanted to honor the fact that kunime has empowered my husband. The medicine is perfect for individuals who are currently using it, or those who have that fighting spirit. Moral of my story is don’t ever give up or don't let this disease get you down in any way. Happy Xmas 🎄❤️

[gregb]

My doctor thought that I had PD because I had an expressionless face. He sent me to a neurologist who has been treating me for PD for the last 4 years.

[Auggies]

Mine showed up in my fingers several years ago, "fine motor", difficulty handling change and cash. I worked in a trade that used small nuts and bolts, which were really hard to thread together, frustrating. Today my gate is off, difficulty in walking a strait line. Louse my balance at times, I haven't fallen yet, but nearly. Hard time getting my words out.

[texasbandera]

We are almost certain my husband has it but he can’t get it with a neurologist until August! It is so frustrating! Doctors don’t want to work anymore they want their Nurse Practitioner’s to see all the patients and take care of everything!

[spydude]

Yep, that is exactly what I thought when I saw President Biden over the past three and a half years.

[alive]

Hardly touched on the early warning symptoms!

[volt]

So where were the early warning signs?

[texasbandera]

Be sooo careful! My husband has fallen twice both times the paramedics had to come pick him up ! He hasn’t even been diagnosed yet!

[aaronbuffalo]

My Father who is 76 in June 2024, has been hospitalised with complications of Parkinson's disease for 6 months now, he stopped eating and drinking over christmas period and had delusions and hallucinations which are not covered here, but apparently can affect as many as 40 % of patients in more progressive stages. Supposedly my dad could have had it for 5 years or more already, but it ultimately came to a head.

Thankfully the delusions stopped some 4 months into treatment, and his mental health seems to have stabalised over the last few weeks.
He was becoming almost mute, his talking and cognition was very poor, even though he could still read etc. it was like talking with someone with locked in syndrome, his mood and signals just didn't allow for a good level of conversation or interactions with activities, So that is a good solid step.


He has postural hypotension, and had several terrible falls, and went from around 90 KG to about 49 KG in the space of 6 months. He is now hovering around 63KG and eating drinking well enough ok, but has pretty terrible physical weakness, needs a walking frame and still gets the freezing, but luckily has not had a fall in 4 months. Hopefully will be released soon, but the out come of a full time care home seems likely.

[jnevins]

I watched my Mother in Law succumb to Parkinsons in her mid-80's. While watching the debate, I had flashbacks to her weakened speech, frozen facial expressions, stiff gait, loss of train of thought, etc. All of these symptons were on full display for the country to see with President Biden on debate night with Trump. Her symptoms became worse at night in a phenomenon known as "sundowning". There is still no known cure for this horrific neurological disease. Will respected and board certified neurologists please come forward and write about this possibility? Levodopa helps replenish the diminishing Dopamine in the brain of these patients and can buy some time before the inevitable outcome.

[MaryJane-pyql]

I’m having problems gripping things with my hands

[larry]

Hands used to shake so bad i coukdbt change ribbon in my typewriter. Meds have stopped that

[mmmm]

I was diagnosed with dystonia but symptoms are worsening & wondering what I really have

[notbuyingit]

If Parkinsons is a progressive disease getting worse as the years go on, what causes this progression? I find it very interesting that a vitamin B12 deficiency, often caused by a tapeworm infection, can also cause the "Parkinson's shuffle" where patients walk leaning forward and taking small shuffling steps. Is that just a coincidence, or could there be a connection between tapeworm infections and Parkinson's disease? Tapeworm infections are also progressive and the number of tapeworm egg cases as well as hatched tapeworms grow in number over the years, and can infect organs and possibly also the brain where they could disrupt neurotransmitters. Why do veterinarians often recommend deworming our cats and dogs, but our physicians rarely mention parasites unless we travel to certain underdeveloped countries? Dogs and cats are both mammals, just like humans, why wouldn't we be susceptible to parasites?

[icon]

My Great Aunt Ola had Parkinsons Disease. Now my Daddy has it! Additionally, I have been led to little research suggesting that Omerprazole and others with the ingredients can trigger Parkinsons. This medicine is used for acid reflux, GERD, and maybe more. Hopefully more of those who are interested in research in this area will find out if that particular pharmaceutical triggers Parkinsons!

[provoice]

I have doubts about taking Carbidopa/Levodopa (sinemet).
After 3 Months- 3 per day, should I be feeling something besides some lightheadedness and occasional trouble sleeping? There are no changes to my symptoms.
After experimenting with dose scheduling, there are still no changes to my symptoms with or without the medication. Is there any benefit to me to continue on sinemet?

[doyoumind.atall.stopspying]

My grandfather had this and now it runs in my family

[jimcummings]

Medications for parkinsons. Are extreamly expensive. Many of them therefore are not covered by insurance or partially. They can bankrupt you.😢