Question posed by hypoE: Is early onset Parkinson’s disease ever misdiagnosed?
I just spent a three day stay at my local hospital for tremor/Dystonia. When the neurologist tested me he said he knew what is was but that couldn’t be possible at my age (27). I was prescribed Benztropine (1mg twice a day). My tremors have slowed now that I have a few days of that medicine in me. They discharged me with Unspecified extrapyramidal disease and abnormal movement disorder. I was also told to find another neurologist as soon as possible.
Is there a common mis-diagnosis for younger people presenting Parkinson’s symptoms?
Selected answer:
Answer by chafarm123 Yes, this can be a difficult diagnosis to pin down in a young person. All we can be doing here is speculating, without your MRI, CT scan and other tests and full history and physical. You need a board certified neurologist at a major university medical center whose team with consider all of the possibilities, and there are many. A correct diagnosis is essential to formulating the correct treatment.
First, a viral syndrome can occasionally simulate Parkinsonism in a young person. This needs to be ruled out asap. Secondly, some autoimmune disorders can simulate extra-pyramidal symptoms as well. Shy-Drager Syndrome also can simulate Parkinson’s disease.
I have also seen endocrine and thyroid disorders simulate Parkinsonism. Parkinson’s disease is indeed possible in young people though.
Take the best wishes of the Yahoo Answers Community physicians and have your full work up redone. Very best wishes.
This video gives some great insights into parkinson’s disease prognosis.
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A question from tophat: Is taking a regimen of carefully tailored and timed amino acids useful in Parkinson’s disease.?
In my research on Parkinson’s (I have it), I came across an interesting finding – a disease called tardive dyskinesia which is caused by TOO MUCH L-dopa. Parkinson’s is caused by not enough L-dopa (which is converted to dopamine in the brain– the dopamine deficiency is the cause of the neurological symptoms).
The treatment for tardive dyskinesia is to reduce L-dopa.
The treatment for Parkinson’s is to increase L-dopa.
The amino acids which convert to L-dopa are the aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan) . Those with tardive dyskinesia are prescribed a regimen which avoids these amino acids. Instead they take a set of amino acids known as ‘branched chain amino acids’ (bcaa) on an empty stomach because these bcaa’s do not produce L-dopa. But, the VERY INTERESTING fact is that bcaa’s and the aromatic amino acids compete for transport across the blood-brain barrier.
Would a regimen of aromatic amino acids on an empty stomach promote L-dopa synthesis?
Top answer:
Answer by soccerplayer2491 That’s interesting, I am going to look into that. 6 members of my family have Parkinson’s. They might have been exposed to a chemical (agent orange) when they were young in Hungary 70 years back.
What do you think about this video on parkinson’s disease?
About the Video: Experts in Parkinson’s Disease have revised the guidelines for diagnosing and treating the disease in order to help people receive the best care. In this two-part program with Dr. William Weiner, the Parkinson’s Disease specialist who was lead author of the guidelines, explains the latest information about Parkinson’s Disease along with what changes were made to the treatment guidelines and why. Specific topics covered in part two of this two-part program include: Deep brain stimulation Complementary therapies Benefits of exercise Physical / speech therapy Emotional effects of Parkinson’s disease Depression / anxiety Mental / cognitive changes Clinical trials Future research – stem cells About the Expert: Dr. William Weiner is the chief of neurology at the University of Maryland Medical Center where he directs the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center. He is also professor and chairman of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Related Links: Parkinsons Disease Guidelines (Part 1) www.youtube.com Dr. William Weiner www.umm.edu Maryland Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center www.umm.edu The Facts About Parkinson’s Disease www.umm.edu New Parkinson’s Disease Guidelines www.umm.edu Distributed by Tubemogul.
Question by PeterbiltDave: Is this a symptom of Parkinson’s Disease?
My left hand & now my left foot tremble when not being used. But I’m able to stop this trembling by totally relaxing these limbs.
The top answer:
Answer by E Rich No, it’s not Parkinson’s. If you’ve been working out lately (running or any form of physical activity) then its perfectly natural for limbs to tremble a little. Parkinson’s would include blackouts, memory loss and mood swings as the first symptoms. If you have any other questions for me, email me at ethan.richxxl@yahoo.com.
Question posed by Kiahdaj: Do I have Parkinson’s disease?
I was reading some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and a lot of them I can kind of relate to.
When I hold my arm out straight, it shakes. Not a whole lot or anything, but it does definitely shake.
Whenever I flex my arm muscle, it shakes a LOT, obviously not where I’m hitting anyone or anything, but it is SO noticeable.
Another symptom I read was depression, since Parkinson’s IS a mental illness.
I do have depression I suppose, but I have reasons for it, it’s not just random sadness, thought I’d point that out.
Also, occasionally, not often, maybe once a week, I will just randomly twitch. Almost my entire upper body will just jerk really quick. I can kind of feel it on my spine if you know what I mean.
I’m 13, and I know this disease it usually associated with older people, but I know that young people can have it as well.
Are there any symptoms that are nearly PROOF? Because otherwise I guess none of us will know for sure.
Thanks a lot.
Most comprehensive answer:
Answer by Personal Parkinson’s is not a mental illness, it is an illness of the nervous system. Two different things.
If you believe you have a serious illness, see a doctor. Otherwise, I don’t see anything in your symptoms all that out of the ordinary. Everyone twitches occasionally, shakiness can be caused by lots of things, and depression with a reasonable cause is not Parkinson’s.
Whether you agree or disagree, why not leave your own thoughts below.
One of the best videos I have come across on the subject of parkinson’s disease treatment.
While the world was not looking, Russians implemented stem cell treatments for Diabetes, MS, Parkinsons within their public health care system under the Department of Health. Their impressive track record of successful cases includes: – Diabetes 1 & 2 – 30000 cases (not a mistake!); – Parkinsons – 300 cases; – MS – 200 cases. The program was created at the Poltava Medical Academy (a real university), they use either autocells or stem cells derived from placenta. The patient shown in the clip developed 2 cases of PD – first on the right side, then after 2.5 years on the left side. Both were successfully treated with stem cells. Please note this is NOT one of those fly-by-night Asian clinics, but a real university. Costs are much more affordable, too. More info and contact for inquiries: www.reussinternational.com .
Question by D S: Why is Deep Brain Surgery only performed on people with Parkinson’s disease later?
Why aren’t these electrodes set into the brains of those afflicted by parkinson’s disease earlier on? At the moment the procedures are done at the end-of dose period of L-Dopa… why?
Thank you!
No 1 answer:
Answer by aneurodoc125 Mainly because there is risk with any surgery. Seizures, infections, miss your target by just a little and there are serious problems, and it is expensive. Insurance companies are not about to pay for it unless you convince them that you have done everything else and nothing is working now.
How about adding your own answer to the comments below!
