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What Are The Different Types Of Parkinsonism?
Question: are there different types od Parkinson disease?
Brief Answer:
Parkinsonism types are conditions with similar symptoms,
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
There are different types of Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease.
Parkinsonism is an entity that groups different conditions with similar symptoms ( slow movements, rigidity and tremor ).
The typical Parkinson's disease is the idiopathic one that is also the most common type of Parkinsonism.
Other conditions included in Parkinsonism are: drug-induced Parkinsonism ( mainly neuroleptic drugs ), vascular Parkinsonism ( stroke ), neurodegenerative diseases (multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy), juvenile Parkinson's, Levy-body dementia, etc.
The diagnosis is mainly clinical and depends on symptoms characteristics.
It is necessary to prescribe in detail your symptoms, ( example: resting tremor or intention tremor, symmetrical or not, difficulty initiating walking or difficulty maintaining equilibrium etc.) your health status condition and past medical history, in order to have a better understanding of your condition.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Awaiting for more information......
Parkinsonism types are conditions with similar symptoms,
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
There are different types of Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease.
Parkinsonism is an entity that groups different conditions with similar symptoms ( slow movements, rigidity and tremor ).
The typical Parkinson's disease is the idiopathic one that is also the most common type of Parkinsonism.
Other conditions included in Parkinsonism are: drug-induced Parkinsonism ( mainly neuroleptic drugs ), vascular Parkinsonism ( stroke ), neurodegenerative diseases (multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy), juvenile Parkinson's, Levy-body dementia, etc.
The diagnosis is mainly clinical and depends on symptoms characteristics.
It is necessary to prescribe in detail your symptoms, ( example: resting tremor or intention tremor, symmetrical or not, difficulty initiating walking or difficulty maintaining equilibrium etc.) your health status condition and past medical history, in order to have a better understanding of your condition.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Awaiting for more information......
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
thank you . That was a good explanation. I do have other questions :
1. I have equilibrium difficulties and gait problemsbut no tremors. After walking for 5 minutes my legs turn to jelly and I have to sit down. After a few minutes I can resume walking for another 2-3 minutes. What kind of Parkinson is that? I know it is progressive beause I began to notice about 2 yesrs ago.
2. My neurologist Prescribed Senemet and said that it has only 20% chance of success (which is only to stop the progression). Reading the side effects and the time(6 months) it takes for the drug to be effective I am going to be paralysed by
then.
I am very depressed by all this,any idea what I should do?
1. I have equilibrium difficulties and gait problemsbut no tremors. After walking for 5 minutes my legs turn to jelly and I have to sit down. After a few minutes I can resume walking for another 2-3 minutes. What kind of Parkinson is that? I know it is progressive beause I began to notice about 2 yesrs ago.
2. My neurologist Prescribed Senemet and said that it has only 20% chance of success (which is only to stop the progression). Reading the side effects and the time(6 months) it takes for the drug to be effective I am going to be paralysed by
then.
I am very depressed by all this,any idea what I should do?
Brief Answer:
Get brain imaging studies (MRI) done.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Parkinsonism is characterized by bradikynesia, or slowness of movements and diminished repetitive movements or " fatigue".
This kind of Parkinsonism could be related to progressive supranuclear palsy, or multiple system atrophy, both neurodegenerative conditions.
Dopaminergic medication (antiparkinson's drugs) treatment may provide some modest benefit.
Physical therapy and antidepressants are important in improving symptoms.
Gait disturbances and equilibrium problems may be related in some cases, to treatable conditions such increased intracranial pressure (normal pressure hydrocephalus).
There is need for imaging studies of brain (MRI) in order to evaluate better the cause of your condition.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Get brain imaging studies (MRI) done.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Parkinsonism is characterized by bradikynesia, or slowness of movements and diminished repetitive movements or " fatigue".
This kind of Parkinsonism could be related to progressive supranuclear palsy, or multiple system atrophy, both neurodegenerative conditions.
Dopaminergic medication (antiparkinson's drugs) treatment may provide some modest benefit.
Physical therapy and antidepressants are important in improving symptoms.
Gait disturbances and equilibrium problems may be related in some cases, to treatable conditions such increased intracranial pressure (normal pressure hydrocephalus).
There is need for imaging studies of brain (MRI) in order to evaluate better the cause of your condition.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
your answer was very helpful. Thank you.
I had a MRI but it did not show anything other than my brain has shrunk which was , according to the doctor, due to old age !!
I have been taking Ativan (1 mg) at bedtime for about ten years. Do you think that contributed or even caused my condition?
What do you mean by physical therapy ? exercises , massages, stationary bike ? bear in mind i cannot walk far , maybe 100 feet before my legs feel like jelly and that is with a cane.
Would my present condition lead to tremors ?
Is the equilibrium problem one of the symptons of Parkinsonism?
I look forward to your answers.
I had a MRI but it did not show anything other than my brain has shrunk which was , according to the doctor, due to old age !!
I have been taking Ativan (1 mg) at bedtime for about ten years. Do you think that contributed or even caused my condition?
What do you mean by physical therapy ? exercises , massages, stationary bike ? bear in mind i cannot walk far , maybe 100 feet before my legs feel like jelly and that is with a cane.
Would my present condition lead to tremors ?
Is the equilibrium problem one of the symptons of Parkinsonism?
I look forward to your answers.
Brief Answer:
Ativan may have contributed.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Ativan (lorazepam) is not a typical drug that may cause Parkinsonism, only few cases are reported, but other factors were present too (anxiety, high blood pressure, bipolar disorders etc.).
If it is possible, you should stop it (taper instead of cold turkey).
However, it may have contributed in worsening of your condition.
By physical therapy I mean exercises done to strengthen your muscles done initially by trained medical personnel and tailored according to your situation.
Later you can continue exercises by yourself.
Maintaining equilibrium is a feature encountered in people with Parkinsonism, tremor also is a typical symptom, so, it is very probable that you may notice tremor in the future.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if something unclear.
Greetings.
Ativan may have contributed.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Ativan (lorazepam) is not a typical drug that may cause Parkinsonism, only few cases are reported, but other factors were present too (anxiety, high blood pressure, bipolar disorders etc.).
If it is possible, you should stop it (taper instead of cold turkey).
However, it may have contributed in worsening of your condition.
By physical therapy I mean exercises done to strengthen your muscles done initially by trained medical personnel and tailored according to your situation.
Later you can continue exercises by yourself.
Maintaining equilibrium is a feature encountered in people with Parkinsonism, tremor also is a typical symptom, so, it is very probable that you may notice tremor in the future.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if something unclear.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
the specialist prescribed Sinemet. Do you approve of this drug? There are so many side effects, the most important to me is falling asleep suddenly. That means I cannot drive a car. I cannot always rely on my wife to drive me especially because she babysits our grand children a lot. So, I am not taking it , for now.
I am taking an antidepressant but Idon't think it is working. Any advice?
I am taking an antidepressant but Idon't think it is working. Any advice?
Brief Answer:
Sinemet seems to be with no benefit.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being on follow up.
Parkinsonism doesn't respond as well as Parkinson's to dopaminergic drugs treatment.
There is need to weight between benefits and side effects of Sinemet use.
Since you refer that there is no improvement and side effects are significant, in my opinion, you shouldn't use it anymore.
Antidepressant drugs are actually used to improve psychological symptoms related to Parkinsonism.
Hope I helped you.
Greetings.
Sinemet seems to be with no benefit.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being on follow up.
Parkinsonism doesn't respond as well as Parkinson's to dopaminergic drugs treatment.
There is need to weight between benefits and side effects of Sinemet use.
Since you refer that there is no improvement and side effects are significant, in my opinion, you shouldn't use it anymore.
Antidepressant drugs are actually used to improve psychological symptoms related to Parkinsonism.
Hope I helped you.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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