What Were Your First Parkinson’s Symptoms?

In this episode Vicky and Shafaq talk about their first Parkinson’s symptoms and remind us that Parkinson’s can look different for everyone.
What were your first symptoms? Let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to share and subscribe to help us keep bringing you content like this 🔔
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*The information in this video represents the views and opinions of the participants. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
Any research discussed in this content may be subject to participant interpretation and conclusions may change as new research emerges.
Never delay seeking medical attention or disregard medical advice because of the content in any of our videos.
LivedHealth's Parkinson’s video programme is proudly supported by Wellcome.
#Parkinsons #ParkinsonsDisease #ParkinsonsAwareness #ComplementaryTherapy #Dopamine

[@bluecube7247]

15 YEARS I'VE BEEN ASKING VETERANS ADMINISTRATION DOCTORS WHY AFTER COMBAT I CAN'T DO THE FINGER TO THUMB THING yet i still work with my hands!? 15 YEARS!!!! NO ANSWER... thank you for sharing your story... it was the missing passage in mine.

[@sheilabonau8681]

I started dragging my right leg and had to make an effort to lift it when walking. But I ignored it. Didn't figure it out till after I was diagnosed.

[@jodieforbes2843]

This is a very interesting topic and an active area of research. There is growing evidence that a number of non-motor symptoms can be good early indicators of Parkinson's. These include REM sleep disorder, impairment of sense of smell and subtle speech problems. Early identification is a controversial topic: not everyone wants to know, but in some cases, it gives the opportunity to make lifestyle changes like exercise and diet which could delay progression of the disease.

[@mannegar7650]

My dad, we were so ignorant back then when it started, i remember he complained about loss of smell a very long time ago, and maybe pain in a particular shoulder. But as his son i remember he complained about feeling slow, then came tremors, back in 2021 But fast forward to today, his condition progressed so quickly, and he's developed advanced stage dementia now. He is completely incapacitated, lost all function and cognition with all manner of incontinence. Can't walk or stand. 99% dependent.

[@LivedHealthParks]

So sorry to hear about your Dad's rapid decline. Parkinson's is a very individual and unpredictable disease and, for every person you see in our videos who has lived with it for 15 or 20 years, there are others who have progressed more quickly. Indeed, I have friends whom I have shared the journey with over the past 7 or 8 years since I was diagnosed that are now in far worse shape than me and I consider myself very fortunate. There are many thousands of people around the world searching for better therapies and ultimately a cure for Parkinson's - possibly too late for some of us, but I'm convinced it's just a matter of time and effort before we conquer this condition. Jodie

[@jennd6590]

Was just watching out of interest, my alteimers symptoms first showed after pregnancy but took many years and now I have joint pain etc. So many doctors dismiss that pregnancy can bring the first symptoms, even suggest more kids have the longevity increases. Will switch to woman doctor for albeit sympathy on how scary it is and my diet may only help albeit to live to see my grandkids

[@Dr.Ovie1]

For your parkinson's healing send me a DM

[@karenglancy443]

I was floating on my back in the swimming pool and only my right arm was moving.

[@Sten111]

People should be cautious about ascribing a condition to Parkinsons....there is a lot of misdiagnosis as well as underdiagnosis.

[@LivedHealthParks]

Indeed, one of the problems is that PD is currently diagnosed based on clinical symptoms like muscle rigidity, slowness of movement and tremor, but these vary a lot between people with PD, and it's easy to confuse PD with other movement disorders. The new SAA test should help provide a more objective diagnosis - see our video on the topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHaTdomJd72bfassi=d-TJzulC0LxPqoWw

[@Portia620]

😢🙏 horrible. I hope she is able to keep this at bay and no other problems. 🙏🙏

[@FloridaGardeningdiva]

I'm 40 and one day, my right leg felt like I was walking in quick sand. I had just had heart surgery so my PCP brushed it off until a year later

[@bluecube7247]

I had a dead sinking leg in the pool... swam daily for years.... then my left leg would just drag me down and start sinking when swimming.

[@bluecube7247]

A small constant shake of my eyes... later it was my whole head.... other people noticed these,i did not.

[@shaffey01]

Eyes or eyelids?

[@shaffey01]

@user-xc5es2ut7t ok. Ty so much for the reply

[@annegordon6725]

Mine was a pulsating in my ankle area. It was position based. My right leg shook when crossed.

[@LivedHealthParks]

Did that make you go to your doctor and then that lead on to a diagnosis? Thank you so much for sharing, we think it's so important for the community to share experiences.

[@annegordon6725]

@LivedHealthParks It did, although it was a 6 month wait to see a neurologist. It was then "you have Parkinson's Disease see you in 6 months ". Prescribed Sinemet and just got on with it, you have no choice do you?

[@LivedHealthParks]

That sounds incredibly difficult. Unfortunately it seems to be the case with many people. Hopefully you have found the right support now.

[@shanu134]

Are you good now​@@annegordon6725

[@Fip999]

Couldnt sign my signature at the bank

[@billstac9162]

Very hard time controlling the computer keyboard

[@JasonHill5371]

I am waiting on an appointment at the Walton already have a dnet brain tumour, but if your left arm stops swinging when walking is this a sign I could have early parkinsons I am 53 and tried the pinch test and although I don't go slower I go smaller straight away I can't go back to that starting point distance between finger and thumb. I see the neurologist on the 18th but from what I have read so far I am thinking it's likely. I have an occasional small tremor which I notice when holding my phone or holding a spoon. I ask really because the lack of arm swing does seem a strong indicator from what I have read. Haven't got long to wait now so at least maybe able to get the help. Thanks for the work you do.

[@LivedHealthParks]

Hi, your symptoms are certainly consistent with Parkinson’s but obviously it’s best to get a view from a specialist. Fortunately, a diagnosis of PD doesn’t mean your life is over as you can see from our channel. Good luck! Jodie

[@chinyererachel]

Mine was a mild tremor on my left arm and a heavy masked face.

[@LivedHealthParks]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It's really interesting that the first symptoms seem to vary so much.

[@mekoyanorthcott7785]

How did you eliminate masked face? Thanks

[@chinyererachel]

@@mekoyanorthcott7785 I just made a conscious effort to always smile but the masked face still resurfaces sometimes.

[@susiecantulermalerma806]

My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s back almost a month ago ….as soon as we found out I googled and the pieces of the puzzle fit …. It happened one thing at a time then it all made sense but we finally got a diagnosis at least we know after all these months 🙏✝️

[@erichouck9487]

my first symptom was the loss of my sense of smell, about 10-12 years before any termers started

[@katmouse9974]

Me too. Even had a CT Scan of my sinuses to look for an infection which turned out negative.

[@LivedHealthParks]

Loss of sense of smell is a common early indicator of PD, but I haven't heard of this happening so long before diagnosis. Thank you for sharing.

[@erichouck9487]

@@LivedHealthParks I believe that is because I am an ultra endurance athlete, I was running 50- 100 mile races. I do believe that being that active held the PD at bay. In January of 2020 I was diagnosed with a rear form of bone/blood cancer. Well the meds they started me on knocked me down so hard that I couldn't do anything. After 6 months they changed my meds. It was shortly after that is when the termers started in my left hand.

[@themikeshow]

Is it a sign of Parkinson's that music playing while I am trying to listen to people talking, like in this video, is irritating?

[@LivedHealthParks]

Sorry to hear that you find the background music distracting. We try to make the videos engaging, but we'll bear your comment in mind for the future. Thanks, Jodie.

[@Lois-o1f]

I agree, music is distracting. Why do people chose music in background?

[@diannesquyres4493]

My sister's first symptom was trembling in a finger.

[@DunXstan]

Was it a regular or irregular tremble. As in was it constant rhythm or random twitches?

[@TJ-ii1tp]

@@DunXstan, mine started with a rest tremor of my pinky twitching rhythmically for about 6 hours. Then off for a few days and then started in my thumb for hours, again while at rest…It has since moved on to other fingers but never occurs simultaneously and always occurs when my hand is resting on the recliner armchair or on my lap. Hope that helps!

[@medhaschitnis]

K​@@TJ-ii1tp

[@Lee-mx5li]

❤

[@shawnhassanpour7142]

My handwriting is changing, and i can't sign . Please tell me that's not the early sign.

[@LivedHealthParks]

Difficulty with handwriting (and other fine motor tasks like doing buttons or typing) could be caused by a number of things. If you also have tremor and/or slowness of movement or stiffness (for example an arm not swinging when you walk) then it is more likely to be Parkinson's. Other early signs include difficulty staying asleep, constipation and loss of sense of smell. In any event you should try to see a neurologist.

[@shawnhassanpour7142]

@LivedHealthParks Thank you! I don't have any of those signs, just the writing.

[@darlenepowell5948]

I cant understand your accent!

[@LivedHealthParks]

Subtitles are available on all the videos. Click on the icon that looks like a box with dots and dashes in it. Sometimes these are auto-generated and have a few mistakes but they should be good enough for you to understand what is being discussed. Hope that helps!

[@annb5610]

No symptoms until I got vaxxed and 1 week later I couldn't use that arm.

[@زهرةالربيع-ل6ل]

Same for me

[@WW-sw8ls]

the vax is working! it was safe and effective

[@nathankaye1577]

Sorry to hear that. I'm Unvaxxed and still got Parkinsons at 46. My work have been amazing with helping me.

[@markbowman5580]

Doesn’t sound like Parkinson’s

[@lalittl]

Question, did these symptoms come and go in the beginning

[@LivedHealthParks]

It's not uncommon for symptoms to come and go, especially when medicated. For example, once levodopa treatment is started, not only can the motor symptoms (such as stiffness and tremor) subside, but problems like sleep may gradually improve as well. The brain and body are also good at adapting to changes so things like cramps and pain may naturally subside over time. That said, as the condition progresses there will likely be new symptoms.

[@Fip999]

Can do

[@bluecube7247]

Medication and exercise can reduce tremors

[@billstac9162]

Hasn't for me yet.