What kind of tremors are with PD?

PD-type tremors can also be a side-effect of some medications. I developed a hand tremor some years ago that went away when I discontinued the statin drug they had me on after a heart attack. It was also messing with my memory and caused severe pain in my upper arms--all of which went away when the meds went away, took about 2 weeks for the worst of it to be gone.

Thank you for this information. My cousin's handwriting has suddenly become very small and looks different. I'm not sure if it's due to her broken hand, stroke or the disease. I'll report this to her doctor though.

I did notice that her legs that lately she can barely move were very limber on Sunday. She was moving them back and forth and scooting around in her wheelchair by using her feet and legs. How can they be so stiff one minute and so flexible the next?

Sunnygirl, My husband had Parkinson. He only had a slight tremor in one hand, which stopped with meds. He did not ever display jerkiness in limbs. However, they were stiff and difficult to move. His leg muscles became so weak they would not hold him up. Another symptom to check is handwriting. His became smaller and smaller, until you could not read the words. One important thing to remember, not all Parkinsons patients exhibit the same symptoms. My husband lived only 2 yrs. after diagnosis ( very unusual ) . Check the web for area support groups. They helped me tremendously. He also had dementia associated with the disease. God bless you Sunnygirl. Carol

I have seen people with the symptoms you describe in the assisted living facility. My cousin doesn't stoop over or have jerky movements. I don't think she has the masked face either.

I'm now thinking she may have something else. I do hope the neurologist calls me soon.

PD can present different in different people. There are a few things they look for -- stiffness, lost sense of smell, stooped posture, and the PD mask face. Anxiety and depression are part of the package I learned from a friend of mine that has PD. I've not seen all of the movements that can go with PD. The ones I've seen most are the jumping hands and legs and the moving shoulders. They didn't look like shaking at all. They looked more like purposeful, repetitive movements. I know it is distressing to the person who is losing control of their body.

Jeannegibbs,
I think she may have lost her sense of smell. She has lost her appetite and hardly eats anything. She has no interest in going to the dining room. She has even refused fried chicken I took her once.

I'm not there at night, but I think she sleeps okay. I know she likes to sleep late and it's a problem for them to get her out of bed on some days. She also likes to nap during the day. If not encouraged to stay up, she would sleep most of the day. She's also lost interest in watching tv and listening to her radio, which she normally loved.

She will sit with the others and listen to the local performers who come and sing and she will visit with the other residences in the family room, but she has little to say, thought the other residents don't have much to say either.

Sunnygirl1, this may seem like an odd question, but please humor me. Has your cousin lost her sense of smell? What is her sleeping like?

She's never had Lyme Disease that we know about. I guess I'm trying to read into every possibility. None of the options looks good.

She had the MRI last week and today the doctor's office said he had to review it and then he would call me.

I'm not sure what to expect. She's getting more weak, off balance, and confused. She's pleasant most of the time, but quite anxious and very emotional. Her memory is also declining by the week. Her appetite is poor too.
Yesterday is when I noticed her arms were trembling for no apparent reason. Later they weren't.

I've looked at some videos of patients with PD, but I don't think that's how hers appeared.

If someone was diagnosed with PD, would they have no physical outward symptoms 10 years later? This question is regarding a different person I know, not my cousin.

Tremors are not always Parkinson's and it's good you are pursuing further testing. If she ever had Lyme Disease, let the MD know.

The movements of PD are a rhythmical motion that happens when the body part is idle. Often it is a finger that has a small movement. It may be arms or shoulders. It isn't like the tremor of a palsy. There may be some videos online that show the movements of PD. Let us know what the exam shows. I hope it is treatable.

Correction, I meant to say her legs are very stiff. She can barely move them. He examined her in the office, but at that time her legs weren't as stiff and she didn't have tremors.