[Amy A]

Hello. I joined this forum to seek advice for my 79 year old father who has had tremors in his left hand (only) for approximately six months. I noticed the tremor while he was walking yesterday during a Thanksgiving visit. I do not know if they occur while he is at rest. He has also become confused and disoriented. His face looks "long" and he used to grimace/blink hard (difficult to explain); his mouth is open a lot of the time. Do these symptoms indicate Parkinson's Disease? I understand that Essential Tremor and PD are often confused.

We are dealing with a resistant individual who will be difficult to get in for an evaluation. Any advice you have for me is much appreciated. I apologize if I have posted a redundant question!

Amy

[EnglishCountryDancer]

Originally Posted by Amy A

Hello. I joined this forum to seek advice for my 79 year old father who has had tremors in his left hand (only) for approximately six months. I noticed the tremor while he was walking yesterday during a Thanksgiving visit. I do not know if they occur while he is at rest. He has also become confused and disoriented. His face looks "long" and he used to grimace/blink hard (difficult to explain); his mouth is open a lot of the time. Do these symptoms indicate Parkinson's Disease? I understand that Essential Tremor and PD are often confused.

We are dealing with a resistant individual who will be difficult to get in for an evaluation. Any advice you have for me is much appreciated. I apologize if I have posted a redundant question!

Amy

A diagnoses is the job of a neurologist but you can find out if it is a resting tremor by watching carefully.A resting tremor stops when you give it something to do like hold on to the back of a chair or to a lesser degree when you hold a cup At 79 there a variety of things it could apart from idopathic Parkinsons.It could be a series of small srokes in which case a visit to doctor is essential.A diagnoses therefore is important.

[GregD]

Hi Amy A,
I agree with EnglishCountryDancer, a diagnosis should be made by a neurologist or better yet a Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS). However, the symptoms you indicate do appear to be thoes of a PD diagnosis. Watch his tremor. If he only has tremor when the hand is at rest then this is more than likely a PD tremor. I also agree that at 79 it could be almost anything causing the tremor.

GregD