Jaime K.

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed Monday with Parkinson's disease in the ER (of all places). I am so new to this...and not entirely convinced that is what this is...but I thought it best to present this to the folks who would know it best.

Here be my story:

About two months ago I started noticing rigidity in my hands. It was like my muscles went "chink-chink-chink". I had a light tremor in my hands if I extended the fingers, but no tremor at rest. This began in both hands at the same time.

Since then, the rigidity has spread equally all over the body. I can't bend over without the "chink-chink-chink" in my back, or foot, fingers, or any muscle. That has up until now been my main complaint.

My muscles burn if I move them - as if I've been working out. There is a moment of slight tremor right after I move my fingers - then they still. My smile is very tremulous - I can't hold it for more than a few seconds without the muscles in my face trembling. The same is true if I hold an arm out to the side - it will eventually start to shake as if it were fatigued.

I get constant twitching, mostly in my legs, but often in my arms. Not painful, just...there. I also have paresthesia - where both arms will feel like I've dunked them in the fish tank, while the tops of my feet will feel like they are burning. It's a very odd sensation.

The odd thing is, my strength is great. I can pick up heavy things, squeeze things tightly, and have full dexterity in my hands (even though it makes the wrist and arm muscles burn). I play the viola - and can still play, even moving the fingers fast if I need to - it's just holding up the instrument and the burning that is the problem. I can run, hop up the stairs, and move around pretty well (though again, that makes the leg muscles burn - and they do feel a bit heavy).

This Monday, I was in the ER because the stiff feeling had progressed to my face, and I felt like I was being choked by an invisible hand. I told the doctor it felt like there was a mask on my face - told him about all my symptoms the past few months, and showed him my tremulous smile. He made the diagnosis right there - Parkinson's. Naturally being 29 and a musician, I did not take the news well.

My regular doctor had felt the rigidity in my arms two weeks prior. The rigidity is there if I move the arm myself, but it is greatly diminished if the doctor moves it for me - almost fluid. He did not think this was Parkinson's (or ALS). He thinks this is autoimmune.

This has all happened so fast - the progression of symptoms. I know Parkinson's can strike at a young age, and it can move fast, but...I don't know. I have a consultation with a neurologist on Tuesday, and then will have a barrage of tests done the following week at a neuromuscular clinic. I had an MRI of the brain last week which came back clean.

What do you think? I am just a mess with worry.



Jaime