Caring
07-18-2001, 10:06 PM
I have not been diagnosed with Parkinson's, but I have a tremor caused by Dopamine deficiency and take the Sinemet generic to control it.
When I am very fatigued or in a noisy or busy environment, the tremors become very bad even with medication. Though I don't really feel depressed when it happens, sometimes, when the shaking gets bad, I just suddenly feel very emotional and I cry, though not loud, but watering eyes. Then as soon as the shaking stops, so does the sad emotion.
Does this sound strange to you or is this common? Does the same brain activity that causes the tremors also cause sudden emotion like this? I'm new to this problem, so please forgive me if I don't have a clue on the subject.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Caring
When I am very fatigued or in a noisy or busy environment, the tremors become very bad even with medication. Though I don't really feel depressed when it happens, sometimes, when the shaking gets bad, I just suddenly feel very emotional and I cry, though not loud, but watering eyes. Then as soon as the shaking stops, so does the sad emotion.
Does this sound strange to you or is this common? Does the same brain activity that causes the tremors also cause sudden emotion like this? I'm new to this problem, so please forgive me if I don't have a clue on the subject.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Caring
Sponsor
Googy
07-19-2001, 12:58 AM
Hi Caring,
Yes your emotions can effect you.Just try to relax,take a deep breath,and let it go.This sounds easy but I know it is not ! But try !
Love,
Googy
Yes your emotions can effect you.Just try to relax,take a deep breath,and let it go.This sounds easy but I know it is not ! But try !
Love,
Googy
Pelicangirl
07-19-2001, 08:41 AM
Yes, I believe your emotions are very closely tied to the PD medications or just PD itself. If you don't mind my asking, what do you have that would take dopamine away from your brain but not be PD? In any case, the problems you describe are exactly like that and can cause emotional times.
Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
Caring
07-19-2001, 08:12 PM
Well, I happen to be one of the lucky few, who has a very rare condition, in which I have tremors caused by a Dopamine defieciency, which has no identifiable disease connected to it, at this time.
My neurologist says I do not have Parkinson's, because I do not have the characteristics that are present in people with Parkinson's. He is also confused about the sudden onset and rapid progression into the severe tremors which I now have, particularly with no family history of such a condition.
There is no metal poisoning or disease in my blood which could contribute to this.
This condition was likely caused by an acute chemical exposure of several gasses and chemicals in a confined, unventilated space.
Thought I read somewhere that when a person with Parkinson's has their tremors, that they may have mood swings with them. I was wondering if this is something related to neurochemical more than actual emotions. Because when my tremors act up, I am not sad, but then I get a sudden mood swing of sadness, which leaves as soon as the tremors calm.
Thank you all so much for your help. I am very young, and this is new to me, so all the help I can get is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Caring
My neurologist says I do not have Parkinson's, because I do not have the characteristics that are present in people with Parkinson's. He is also confused about the sudden onset and rapid progression into the severe tremors which I now have, particularly with no family history of such a condition.
There is no metal poisoning or disease in my blood which could contribute to this.
This condition was likely caused by an acute chemical exposure of several gasses and chemicals in a confined, unventilated space.
Thought I read somewhere that when a person with Parkinson's has their tremors, that they may have mood swings with them. I was wondering if this is something related to neurochemical more than actual emotions. Because when my tremors act up, I am not sad, but then I get a sudden mood swing of sadness, which leaves as soon as the tremors calm.
Thank you all so much for your help. I am very young, and this is new to me, so all the help I can get is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Caring
Pelicangirl
07-21-2001, 02:26 AM
Dear Caring,
You know, Sinemnet is the "Gold Standard" for PD. What that means is, if it helps, you have it. Now, I know that's not very scientific, but that's truly what they do. It's an important tool in diagnosing PD.
Have you seen a movement disorder specialist? That's a doctor who usually is more "Up" on Parkinson's can be the difference between a correct and incorrect diagnosis.
I spent 9 years with a neurologist who after that 9 years said, "I don't think you have Parkinson's. Would you mind if I sent you to a movement disorder specialist?" I hadn't even known there was such a thing!
When I got there, she spent about 5 minutes looking at me and said, "What on earth did he think you had?"
So if at all possible, get to a movement disorder specialist (that is, if your doctor is not one) and see what he/she has to say.
Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
You know, Sinemnet is the "Gold Standard" for PD. What that means is, if it helps, you have it. Now, I know that's not very scientific, but that's truly what they do. It's an important tool in diagnosing PD.
Have you seen a movement disorder specialist? That's a doctor who usually is more "Up" on Parkinson's can be the difference between a correct and incorrect diagnosis.
I spent 9 years with a neurologist who after that 9 years said, "I don't think you have Parkinson's. Would you mind if I sent you to a movement disorder specialist?" I hadn't even known there was such a thing!
When I got there, she spent about 5 minutes looking at me and said, "What on earth did he think you had?"
So if at all possible, get to a movement disorder specialist (that is, if your doctor is not one) and see what he/she has to say.
Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
Lory
07-21-2001, 10:56 AM
Originally posted by Caring:
Well, I happen to be one of the lucky few, who has a very rare condition, in which I have tremors caused by a Dopamine defieciency, which has no identifiable disease connected to it, at this time.
My neurologist says I do not have Parkinson's, because I do not have the characteristics that are present in people with Parkinson's. He is also confused about the sudden onset and rapid progression into the severe tremors which I now have, particularly with no family history of such a condition.
There is no metal poisoning or disease in my blood which could contribute to this.
This condition was likely caused by an acute chemical exposure of several gasses and chemicals in a confined, unventilated space.
Thought I read somewhere that when a person with Parkinson's has their tremors, that they may have mood swings with them. I was wondering if this is something related to neurochemical more than actual emotions. Because when my tremors act up, I am not sad, but then I get a sudden mood swing of sadness, which leaves as soon as the tremors calm.
Thank you all so much for your help. I am very young, and this is new to me, so all the help I can get is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Caring
Hi, I agree completely with Pelicangirl's statement. I happen to have essential tremor AND PD, but am not on Sinemet, rather am on Mirapex and others. my neurologist sent me to the movement disorder specialist 1 year into treatment, when she realized I wasn't getting to where she wanted me to be on the medications. After a 15 minute clnical observation of my symptoms, they readily diagnosed PD. That was 3 years ago, I am only 54, and had symptoms aobout 2 years before the diagnosis. Age isn't as much a factor as it used to be, and no-one in my family has PD, except me. And yes, I had chemical/pesticide/herbicide exposure. Lory
Well, I happen to be one of the lucky few, who has a very rare condition, in which I have tremors caused by a Dopamine defieciency, which has no identifiable disease connected to it, at this time.
My neurologist says I do not have Parkinson's, because I do not have the characteristics that are present in people with Parkinson's. He is also confused about the sudden onset and rapid progression into the severe tremors which I now have, particularly with no family history of such a condition.
There is no metal poisoning or disease in my blood which could contribute to this.
This condition was likely caused by an acute chemical exposure of several gasses and chemicals in a confined, unventilated space.
Thought I read somewhere that when a person with Parkinson's has their tremors, that they may have mood swings with them. I was wondering if this is something related to neurochemical more than actual emotions. Because when my tremors act up, I am not sad, but then I get a sudden mood swing of sadness, which leaves as soon as the tremors calm.
Thank you all so much for your help. I am very young, and this is new to me, so all the help I can get is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Caring
Hi, I agree completely with Pelicangirl's statement. I happen to have essential tremor AND PD, but am not on Sinemet, rather am on Mirapex and others. my neurologist sent me to the movement disorder specialist 1 year into treatment, when she realized I wasn't getting to where she wanted me to be on the medications. After a 15 minute clnical observation of my symptoms, they readily diagnosed PD. That was 3 years ago, I am only 54, and had symptoms aobout 2 years before the diagnosis. Age isn't as much a factor as it used to be, and no-one in my family has PD, except me. And yes, I had chemical/pesticide/herbicide exposure. Lory
Bruce
07-21-2001, 11:01 AM
Ruth gave you some good advice. When you tink about it, all of the patients a specialist examines are patients like yourself and their is a large variety of symptoms you might have that a specialist would see at first glance.
It is well known that rresponding to Sinemet is one indication that you might have pd, because if you didn't react to Sinemet, that tends to rule out pd.
Here are some of the symptoms to look for and I have most of them. Difficulty swallowing, slow movement,difficulty coping with hot temperatures, walk with short steps (shuffling), slurred speech, lower volume when speaking, dyskinesia (involuntary movement), weak muscle strength, poor stamina, fatigue easily, small hand writting, constipation, poor concentration, memory loss, leg cramps, depression, and difficulty sleeping. Thos just came from "off the top of my hesd. I learned diagnosing and treating pd is not as simple as it appears to be and should be under the care of a specialist.
Bruce
It is well known that rresponding to Sinemet is one indication that you might have pd, because if you didn't react to Sinemet, that tends to rule out pd.
Here are some of the symptoms to look for and I have most of them. Difficulty swallowing, slow movement,difficulty coping with hot temperatures, walk with short steps (shuffling), slurred speech, lower volume when speaking, dyskinesia (involuntary movement), weak muscle strength, poor stamina, fatigue easily, small hand writting, constipation, poor concentration, memory loss, leg cramps, depression, and difficulty sleeping. Thos just came from "off the top of my hesd. I learned diagnosing and treating pd is not as simple as it appears to be and should be under the care of a specialist.
Bruce
Caring
07-22-2001, 10:11 PM
Thank you all so much. You have all been so helpful. Well I see my neuro again in one day, and we will see if anything else has surfaced since we last met. Also getting another MRI. We will see if anything is found.
A movement disorder specialist probably wouldn't be covered by my HMO, but I am sure the neuro will find something soon, then I will have a name for this.
I do have some of the other symptoms you named, Bruce. All of these showed up following the chemical exposure.
For me the heat is the worst of all. I used to love it, now it literally makes me ill. I recently was in a hot climate, and got so sick I almost had to go to the hospital. Other friends who were in the same heat for the same time were fine. I even drank cold bottled water the whole time but still got ill. Then my tremors got really bad and I had to take my medication early and sleep for a few hours.
Thank you again. You all take care now.
Sincerely,
Caring
A movement disorder specialist probably wouldn't be covered by my HMO, but I am sure the neuro will find something soon, then I will have a name for this.
I do have some of the other symptoms you named, Bruce. All of these showed up following the chemical exposure.
For me the heat is the worst of all. I used to love it, now it literally makes me ill. I recently was in a hot climate, and got so sick I almost had to go to the hospital. Other friends who were in the same heat for the same time were fine. I even drank cold bottled water the whole time but still got ill. Then my tremors got really bad and I had to take my medication early and sleep for a few hours.
Thank you again. You all take care now.
Sincerely,
Caring
Bruce
07-26-2001, 10:39 AM
Caring,I have got much worse in coping with the heat. I can be affected with extreme weakness within 5 minutes after going outside.
I have never heard this before, but a nurse told me people who have had DBS surgery, have a greater problem coping with the heat. I don't know if this is true or not, but I didn't have this problem before the surgery. Thanks to the fast Sinemet (non CR), for the last three days I have been up and functioning well and was able to get my lawn mowed and go to the grocery store. I just took the regular Sinemet and feel like it has kicked in already.
I have never heard this before, but a nurse told me people who have had DBS surgery, have a greater problem coping with the heat. I don't know if this is true or not, but I didn't have this problem before the surgery. Thanks to the fast Sinemet (non CR), for the last three days I have been up and functioning well and was able to get my lawn mowed and go to the grocery store. I just took the regular Sinemet and feel like it has kicked in already.
Pelicangirl
07-26-2001, 11:29 AM
Caring, maybe your doctor could send you to a Movement Disorder Specialist just as a referral. I know the HMOs have really strict rules on things like that, but it's worth a try.
Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
Caring
07-26-2001, 09:50 PM
Bruce I'm really sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time. Yes the Sinemet (in my case generic) really does kick in fast doesn't it.
Pelicangirl, honestly my symptoms match Fibromyalgia more than Parkinson's, though this site has been tremendous help with respect to my Dopamine deficiency problems. Interesting, I read the other day that some doctors believe Fibromyalgia may be caused by Dopamine deficiency also. You see, I get these horrible joint and muscle pains. (Still have to wait 3 more weeks to see Rheumatologist). Hoping he may be able to offer more insight with this.
Right now, I have to let my Neurologist at least have a little time to observe me. There's only been a couple of visits so far. He really hasn't had the opportunity to observe me much at this point. Hopefully in a few weeks when I see him again, there will be some good news about my MRI.
If I'm not happy with his care, I will seek another doctor. Unfortunately I've already learned that some doctors either just don't care, or aren't the brightest light in the stadium.
Thank you all so much. Bruce, glad to hear the Sinemet is helping. You all take care now.
Sincerely,
Caring
Thank you all for your advice.
Pelicangirl, honestly my symptoms match Fibromyalgia more than Parkinson's, though this site has been tremendous help with respect to my Dopamine deficiency problems. Interesting, I read the other day that some doctors believe Fibromyalgia may be caused by Dopamine deficiency also. You see, I get these horrible joint and muscle pains. (Still have to wait 3 more weeks to see Rheumatologist). Hoping he may be able to offer more insight with this.
Right now, I have to let my Neurologist at least have a little time to observe me. There's only been a couple of visits so far. He really hasn't had the opportunity to observe me much at this point. Hopefully in a few weeks when I see him again, there will be some good news about my MRI.
If I'm not happy with his care, I will seek another doctor. Unfortunately I've already learned that some doctors either just don't care, or aren't the brightest light in the stadium.
Thank you all so much. Bruce, glad to hear the Sinemet is helping. You all take care now.
Sincerely,
Caring
Thank you all for your advice.
Pelicangirl
07-27-2001, 01:49 AM
Caring,
Yes, I agree that if you have only seen this doctor a few times, you have to continue to go to him and sort of "feel him out." I didn't know that fibromyalgia had some of the same symptoms as Parkinson's. See, on this board you learn something new every day.
Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
Yes, I agree that if you have only seen this doctor a few times, you have to continue to go to him and sort of "feel him out." I didn't know that fibromyalgia had some of the same symptoms as Parkinson's. See, on this board you learn something new every day.
Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)