Originally Posted by cmspgran

Can I ask for everyones opinion on this idea, if it was YOPD I have had the symptoms for 2 years, they come and go in terms of severity how long would it take if it was YOPD to go worse - would there have been more changes and more decline by now?

If I was to go back to the neurologist would it be wise to wait 6 or 12 months?

Originally Posted by cmspgran

Can I ask for everyones opinion on this idea, if it was YOPD I have had the symptoms for 2 years, they come and go in terms of severity how long would it take if it was YOPD to go worse - would there have been more changes and more decline by now?

If I was to go back to the neurologist would it be wise to wait 6 or 12 months?

Originally Posted by cmspgran

Hello to everyone was recommended this site from a nice lady at the PDS forums, first post here no doubt you receive many posts from the 'worried well' but genuinely feel that something is wrong and would really really appreciate some experts living with Parkinson's to have a quick scan of my post and offer any thoughts, opinions on what to do or where to go next?

I am extremely concerned I may be showing initial signs of parkinsons, seeing as MS has been pretty much ruled out I cannot see what other conditions could cause such symptoms.

Thanks so much

I was a previously healthy young man, I am now 26 and work in quite a stressful job as a teacher but still play sport and go the gym most nights.

I started experiencing symptoms 2 years ago (September 2007) can almost remember to the day. My first symptom was a feeling of weakness running from the right kneecap through the calf and into the foot (basically the leg from the knee downward). It feels as if my leg no longer wants to support my weight properly and I have lost balance on it, some days are worse than others but it is always there and is a very uncomfortable problem and one which cannot be forgotten about. Walking is uncomfortable now because of it and sport even worse. I also expereince parathesia at times in the leg mainly in the foot with feelings of tingling under the skin.

In February of ths year I began experiencing a feeling of weakness in the right arm from the elbow down mainly eminating in the wrist and hand. Again very uncomfortable and constantly there since emerging it feels as though I have to try twice as hard to do everything now with the right hand (which is my dominant hand). I also feel shaky at times almost like a tremor from the inside and the right hand tremors at certain postural positions such as when my wrist is raised up for using a computer mouse.

I went to my GP and he referred me to a Rheumatologist.

In May I was referred to a Rheumatologist I explained my symptoms and fears of possible MS he undertook a detailed neurological exam which was normal apart from minor reduced right knee jerk and inverted supinators of the hands he then ordered further testing including:

Nerve Conduction Tests - Reported as Normal

EMG - Reported as Normal

MRI of the spine - Normal other than "L5/S1 intervertebral disc is degenerate showing loss of hydration, there is also a posteocentral annular bulge here with a tiny posterocentral annular tear. This causes very minor narrowing of the AP diameter of the spinal canal but is not felt to be significant and none of the transiting nerver roots are compressed.

The rheumatologsit concluded nothing was wrong and sent me away. Unhappy I returned to my GP and was sent for an MRI of the brain and full blood work.

Blood work was normal other than slightly raised liver values.

MRI of Brain - Normal other than craniosynotosis of the skull with asymmetry of the left and right skull vault otherwise normal no evidence of mass lesion or demyelination, normal craniocervical junction.

Undeterred I pushed for a referral to a neurologist who is a movement disorder specialist and went privately, upon examination and reading throguh my results the neurologist concluded nothing was wrong after completing his own neurological examination. He ordered more bloodtests including full blood count, sedimentation rate, vitamin b12, copper, ceruoplasmin and thyroid all came back normal.

He also took a look at the MRI of the brain himself and could see no abnormalities.

Still not happy I went for a second opinion to another neurologist, all this brought was that the first neurologist I saw was a "class neurologist" and I have had all the necessary tests. He did state that its plausible I may have had an initial MS attack too small to detect through tests and would have to see what happens and that was no point in worrying - which I found very disappointing. He did his own brief neurological exam and concluded nothing was abnormal.

The symptoms are not going away and are there everyday and are affecting quality of life quite badly especially being an active person.

Many thanks for any help!