Brief Answer:
Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon. My name is Dr. Saghafi and I'm a neurologist treating and diagnosing many cases of Parkinson's disease.

I am happy to tell you what some of the symptoms classically of Parkinson's disease are, however, it would be equally instructive if you were to also let me know what the symptoms are of the person about you're inquiring.

The most cardinal features of PD in the classical form are:

1. Rigidity (stiffness of the limbs)
2. Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
3. Tremor at Rest (pill rolling in appearance in the upper extremities)

These are essentially the most common 3 symptoms which basically define the disease which is classified as one of many neurodegenerative diseases of the brain.

There are many other features of PD which I can list for you but they are not necessarily as specific and can be found in other disorders as well. That is why your sharing what symptoms you are seeing would be most helpful.

There currently no single laboratory or diagnostic test that can detect Parkinson's disease and so we continue to rely on clinical information to come up with the diagnosis. In the strictest sense of how this movement disorder is actually defined a person who is at the outset of their symptoms should probably not be truly DIAGNOSED as having PD or not for a period of no less than 3-5 years after initially seeing their neurologist or doctor. That's not to say that we don't treat patients but to actually solidy a diagnosis of PD in a patient can be a long process since symptoms that look like can Parkinson's are common to other disease processes as well. And Sometimes it may take that long for other symptoms to declare themselves which can then, change the thinking.

Practically speaking though if we think a person is exhibiting signs and symptoms which are typical enough of PD we will likely move to prescribe medications and if there is a robust response to these medications we will likely have our diagnosis.

If you feel that this information has been of value to you and answers your question I would appreciate your written feedback and a star rating of how well I addressed your concern.

Also, I'd be greatly appreciative if you would CLOSE THE QUERY on your end if there are no further questions that you'd like to ask me on this topic.

I wish you the best.

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Brief Answer:
Tremors sound to be essential NOT PARKINSON's

Detailed Answer:
One of the distinguishing characteristics of a tremor in the hands is whether or not it is present strictly when the hands are at rest, get more pronounced with activity, or are simply present all the time and never change.

In your case you mention that the tremors are particularly bothersome when you are trying to do fine or close in types of work. This highly suggests that the type of tremor you have is not related to a condition of PARKINSON'S disease but rather what's called BENIGN ESSENTIAL TREMOR. If anybody in your family also had such tremors (e.g. father, mother, siblings, etc.) then, we'd call it a FAMILIAL TREMOR. The fact that you've had some type of shakiness in movements and/or tremors years ago which has not progressed to other symptoms I've mentioned in my previous answer to you is also another piece of evidence supporting the notion that this is likely NOT PARKINSON'S disease.

My advice to you therefore, is that you need to seek out a physician who can decide which medication best to prescribe for you although I always make a first intent on seeing if the patient can possibly go through a good solid regimen of exercises & training for the hands and upper extremities because sometimes that will also calm the tremors down over time to the point where medications are not necessary right away.

But it really depends on how pervasive and intrusive these tremors are and what your thresh hold for taking medications may be. It also depends on other medical conditions you may have in terms of which medications and how much you should take.

I hope this information has served you well and would appreciate your written feedback as to how well I hit the mark in answering your questions.

Also, please do me the favor of CLOSING THE QUERY if you have no further questions. I wish you well and speedy IMPROVEMENTS if not recovery so that you can get back to the things you like to do soon.

This query required 14 minutes of physician specific time to review, research, and compile for final draft documentation and envoy.

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