I will do a brief introduction as this is my first post. I am a 30 year old female that has had tremors in my hands and head, restless leg syndrome, stiffness, cognitive impairment (memory/concentration), poor balance, and dysautonomia.

After a host of tests and many medications, the first that has truly helped is Mirapex. I have not been back in to see my Neurologist in a few months and am wondering if the responsiveness to the Mirapex is suggestive of PD?

I appreciate all of the posts and look forward to learning more on this forum.

Hi,

Welcome! I don't want to come out and say "yes" or "maybe" because even Movement Disorder Specialists (MDS) cannot definitively diagnose and frankly, those symptoms could hint at other things too, so with PD doctors look for what are called the cardinal signs: tremor at rest, bradykinesia (slowed movement) and rigidity or stiffness. There are actually many types of tremor, so a doctor would have to know if it only appears when in use. Does the tremor respond to alcohol?

Things like balance impairment so early on would make me inclined to think "not PD". If you really want to know, book a neurology appointment with an MDS thought with only presence of a tremor and given your age, you'd be more likely to hear not PD.

I was in my early thirties and presented with only a hand tremor so was diagnosed essential tremor and treated as such for five years. I sometimes think doctors just want to observe you over time for tell-tale changes.

Not sure that was much help....

Laura

Thank you for your reply. I do only have a resting tremor which the Mirapex has helped tremendously. The rigidity and stiffness I have had has been ongoing for over two years progressively with no cause found yet.

I realize that I am summing up symptoms to spare over-doing the details but am happy to answer specific questions if they may prove to be helpful. I appreciate your help and support.

I also meant to ask; is the fact that the Mirapex has reduced tremors indicative that it could be PD as opposed to essential tremors?

Thank you again!