See All
Preferences
My Communities
My Discussions
My Email Digests
Announcements
Attention All WebMD Community Members:
These message boards are closed to posting. Please head on over to our new WebMD Message Boards to check out and participate in the great conversations taking place: https://messageboards.webmd.com/
Your new WebMD Message Boards are now open!
Making the move is as easy as 1-2-3.
1. Head over to this page: https://messageboards.webmd.com/health-conditions/f/brain-nervous-system-disorder/
2. Choose the tag from the drop-down menu that clicks most with
you (and add it to any posts you create so others can easily find and sort
through posts)
3. Start posting
Have questions? Email us anytime at [email protected]
Tips














It's called Aware in Care Hospital Action Plan and is FREE. Comes with all sorts of information to share with health care professionals, a Parkinson's metal bracelet and a zipper up bag to keep this stuff in, including small bottles of your PD medications.
Check it out....go to: www.awareincare.orgView Thread






It's called Parkinson's Disease 300 Tips for Making Life Easier. Author is Shelly Peterman Schwarz and it has all kinds of great information, as well as resources for both the patient and the caregiver.View Thread






Digests give you all the new posts for your community for the past 24 hours and even link you up directly to posts from our experts.
Read a little more about email digests and how to sign up for them , and then start getting your own digests!
The WebMD Community StaffView Thread



Surprise to many that key issue is vertigo...which can be caused by a wide range sources. My room does not spin, I wobble and have difficulty thinking, talking. While a few days begin this way, it usually is brought on by positions shoveling, standing while looking down reading, cleaning bending up and own.
I have had all the tests no real findings except white matter in pons due to 1954 polio epidemic. Such scaring is common in persons who have had similar viruses that inflame the brain. There are many orthopedic issues such as scoliosis, Arnold Chiari that contribute to motion sickness..
Meclizine commonly used for travel sickness and or vertigo is very effective and can be taken for relief or preventative.is very effective and can be taken as needed. Expensive off rack for sportsmen, travelers at 6.00 for small package. Cheaper asking pharmacist for entire bottle on pharmacy shelf, 12.00 last one I purchased contained 100 pills.
This is not a cure but does work well with chronic issues..View Thread







In November, I was dianosed with laryngitis, which lasted for a period of 3 to 4 weeks. My voice came back. Periodically up until March, my voice would go out and they would tell me to just not talk, I sounded like minnie mouse and very breathy. I went to my doctors in March and he gave me an antibiotic as he thought I may have had strep throat farther down in my throat, but had no symptoms. A week later I was back in his office. He gave me a referral to an ENT.
The ENT said that my vocal cords had seperated and I needed speech therapy to get them back to normal. This past Tuesday (4/6) was my first session with the speech therapist, after an hour of throat manipulation we stopped. 30 minutes later I had a stutter and the numbness came back to my face the next morning. The speech therapist indicates it was not from her and sent me back to the ENT, who said my vocal cords were now perfectly fine. He indicated he thought maybe I had a stroke or lime disease. I'm 27 years old and have always been in relative good health, with the exception of a common cold here or there. He sent me to the ER at Dartmouth. The doctors were amazed, never had they had anyone with my symptoms and no diagnosis. I sound like a foreigner with a stutter, I've NEVER had a stutter before, ever.
They set me up with an MRI for this Saturday 4/10 to rule out anything in my brain. I'm set up to see a neurologist that specializes in speech next week.
I do not understand and I mean no offense to anyone with a disability, but I do not sound normal. I'm 27 and have never had a surgery or been hospitalized. I cannot work, I manage a bank and deal with people on a regular basis. The doctors told me I cannot go back to work until I can perform my job duties normally. How can I perform them normally when no one can tell me what is wrong. I have headaches, facial numbness, and stuttery speech. Does anyone out there have an idea or suggestion???
Thank you.View Thread


Loss of sense of smell has been considered by some to be the earliest symptom of PD, and is seen in up to 90% of PD patients, and this increases as the disease advances. There is no treatment for this symptom.
Restless legs symptoms are commonly reported in PD, usually at the end of a dosing interval - "wearing off." Distinguishing between true RLS and wearing-off limb discomfort and restlessness can be difficult. Nonetheless, the first treatment would be trying to take your PD medication at regular intervals - and dosing prior to the onset of the uncomfortable symptoms. If this is not helpful, medications like clonazepam may be helpful.
Shoulder pain is known to be an early, sometimes initial symptom of PD. Other pain symptoms can be a common complaint in PD, however it is important to differentiate between dystonic (muscle cramping) versus non-dystonic pain. Pain associated with dystonia is likely related to low blood levodopa levels, and responds to levodopa therapy. Non-dystonic pain (numbness, tingling, burning, aching, coldness, heat and pain) in PD is poorly understood and difficult to treat. Sometimes this also responds to treatment with PD medications, and may simply be treated with over the counter drugs like tylenol or ibuprofen. If these do not work, discuss the symptoms with your doctor.View Thread



I encourage any reader to send in questions of any issue regarding PD.View Thread



First of all some PD medications last a short time. Levodopa, the active ingredient in Sinemet, lasts in the blood stream (and brain) from 2.5 to 4 hours. The controlled release form (Sinemet CR) may last up to 6 hours, but usually only 5. Levodopa competes with other protein for absorption to the blood stream, and some recommend that it not be taken with meals. I think this is not a major problem, and have my patients usually take the medication at mealtimes, and as the medication effect becomes shorter, may move to four- hour intervals (eg. 7am -11am -3pm, -7pm). Drugs that make levodopa last a bit longer include entacapone and rasagiline. (Carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone tablets are brand named "Stalevo.")
Dopamine agonists, pramipexole (Mirapex) and ropinirole (Requip), usually last 6-12 hours, and both have recently developed once daily preparations. These new agents may be great for people who are having mobility problems in the night. I recc the once daily forms to be taken with the first dose of the day, unless night-time is difficult, and then will dose later. The original formulations are now available in generic, and may be also dosed at mealtimes - and simultaneously with levodopa.View Thread


Short of functional brain imaging, Neurologists look for signs and symptoms associated with PD to lead to diagnosis. Early symptoms include: resting tremor, difficulty with handwriting, dressing, cutting food, and other fine motor tasks. It is also helpful to see if one side of the body is more affected than the other.
Early signs are termed "cardinal characteristics," and include resting tremor, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and rigidity (stiffness of the limbs, when moved through a range of motion by the examiner). If two of three of these signs are present, there is a 70% chance that the condition is PD.
The next step is to treat with medication, and if a significant benefit is seen, the chance that it is PD increases to 90%. Before initiating therapy, it is important to define these expectations, and remember, if you barely show signs of PD, you may not show a dramatic or significant improvement. In addition, the medications suggested in early PD, differ significantly from the medications used in more symptomatic PD. I prefer to start drugs that may slow disease progression in many patients, particularly in very mild cases, and use more potent therapies later.
If there is no symptomatic benefit, you should discuss other possibilities with your doctor. I would consider brain imaging in some instances. Symptoms that lead to other diagnostic concerns include: frequent falling as a first sign or early in the disease, double vision (particularly when reading), frequent crying or laughing at minor things, a hand that seems to have a "mind of its own" or that will not move the way a patient wants it to move, urinary incontinence, or significant memory disturbances. In addition, a highly symmetric presentation (both sides affected equally), or lack of tremor will push me to consider other diagnoses.View Thread



As a doctor, here are some tips that may be helpful to all.
First is to be prepared. Make a list of questions or concerns about any symptom. Then prioritize them, and review (or maybe even rehearse) them with a friend or loved one.
Second: give the doctor an out as you begin to ask your questions. For example if you say, "Doctor, I know we do not have much time, and I have 10 questions. If there is nothing to do about one of my concerns, just say pass, and we will move on to the next," it let's me off the hook about things not related to your PD. More importantly, it let's me try to help you on a symptom that I may be able to do something about. Remember, at the core Doctors are service providers, and we do like to think we have made a difference.
Third: Have a list - typed! - of your medicines with the dosage, number of tablets and times of day you take them, and whether you need refills of your prescriptions. A doctor can often be writing these while listening to your concerns, and then will not save time at the end of a visit to write them - that will give you more "real time" in the meeting.
Fourth: Take someone with you to listen. If your companion can be your advocate - and not take over your visit - educate him or her to reasons you are asking a question, in order to ask a follow-up. You may be trapped in the polite listening mode, and not be able to do so.
Fifth: do not take all the time with questions. The doctor does need to examine you, and may have other issues that he or she would like to address.View Thread











But If you're finding how discussions and responses are displayed now is a bit confusing, are wondering how to keep track, and would like a more traditional view of an exchange, you can do that!
When you come to an exchange, click on the Discussions link on the upper left sidebar and voila!
(You can do the same if you want to just look at tips or resources.)
To go back to the view you get when you first come in to an exchange, just click on the Exchange Home link on the upper left sidebar.View Thread

See Related Pain Management Communities
Women's Health Newsletter
Find out what women really need.
Helpful Tips
Helpful Resources
Related News
Related Drug Reviews
- Drug Name User Reviews
Report Problems With Your Medications to the FDA
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For more information, visit the Duke Health Neurological Disorders Center
The opinions expressed in WebMD Communities are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. Communities are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
Do not consider Communities as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
More From WebMD:
Knee Pain Assessment|Control Your Blood Sugar |Psoriasis|MS Assessment|Anaphylaxis|ADHD in Children|Diabetes Diet|Hodgkin's Lymphoma|Multiple Myeloma |Hearing Loss: Its Causes and Treatment|Myths and Facts About Prostate Cancer|Living With Alzheimer's|COPD|Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials|Diabetes Assessment|Live Better With Diabetes|Atrial Fibrillation Assessment |Treating Advanced Prostate Cancer©2005-2016 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.