my mom may have parkinson's? - Parkinson's Disease Message Board

HopingChris · 05-24-2006, 04:00 PM

I think my mom may have parkinson disease. A couple of years ago she started shaking, not really bad but noticable. Now she shakes so bad to the point sometimes her drink spills out of her cup. And it's all the time now. She asked her doctor about it when it first started years ago and her doctor just told her it was from her meds. She is 55 and goes to a clinic where the doctor really doesn't care cause she has no insurance or no money. I have been really getting on her lately because the shaking is getting worse. 2 of her aunts had parkinson disease. Does this sound like it to those of you who know more about it? I don't really know a lot about it. And how do they test for it? Where does she need to go to be tested?

Thanks for any help,
Chris

kwebster · 05-26-2006, 07:30 PM

Chris:
A neurologist may help determine if she has Parkinson's. Since she has no money or insurance have you thought about going to a teaching hospital (don't know if you live near a major university. They may be able to point you in the right direction. Or how about contacting a Parkinson's group that might be able to suggest a doctor.

My mom is 74 and was diagnosed with Parkinson's 4 years ago. It started with a tremor in her thumb. Thank goodness she has a great neurologist who prescribed meds for it. Her Parkinson's really hasn't progressed that much - due to the meds. I have no idea why people get it.

Good Luck!