Hello all,

I am not diagnosed yet but would like help from a PD community with those that have been diagnosed to see if my symptoms are close or the same.

My path began with shoulder pain about 18 months ago. There was one spot of pain at my shoulder blade that just wouldn’t go away. It was a constant burning pain that I would describe as a 5/10 but would more/less be 24/7. I tried Bikram Yoga, massages, chiropractic, nothing. The pain led to chasing the source. While I chased the pain radiated to my neck and down through my right arm. Over the period of 18 months it felt as though a nerve in my right arm was dying. In addition to the pain I have lost some dexterity in my hand. I now have difficulty with chopsticks, dislike printing, drag keys on the keyboard. Basically it feels like my hand gets stuck when I ask it to do something. I can still function at work but would lose it if I were a surgeon or guitar player. One thing of note; a tendon (abductor pollicis) between my thumb and index finger is hyperextended (tight band that does not release whatsoever. No one can explain that one.) I have an occasional tremor as well in the right hand.

On the search for the source side I did the following: Back/Neck MRI, Head MRI, Nerve conduction study. All were clear. The neurologist summed up; pain, small lack of arm swing, rigidity, loss of dexterity, pain, (reduced) sense of smell, constipation and quickly brought up the possibility of PD. There is no official diagnosis. I have not been prescribed drugs. We are waiting it out for now.

For relief of pain, Tramadol works quite well. I have only taken it a few times but feel the pain release it’s grip to almost nothing. I never feel a sense of high, I just feel the drug hits the right spots and I feel in a much better mood because of it. All that I read would imply Tramadol is not suppose to work for PD. Anyone with experience with Tramadol?

I have also experimented with Mucuna Pruriens. I figured since my Doc will prescribe Sinemet or similar to see if I respond I may as well try this first. Well, it works for me. A teaspoon with warm water and in just a few minutes the pain melts away. It’s not long lasting, sometimes two hours, sometimes six.

Nothing releases the tendon in my thumb and it always feels that my right hand somewhat lost permanently its dexterity. I’m still trying to figure out if this could be some sort of peripheral nerve damage or in fact PD. Thoughts?

Here is a list of "no's": no balance loss, only the right side (hasn’t jumped), no gait issues, no facial issues, no sleep issues.

I think that internally I can deal with the diagnosis but I would like to limit the drugs as necessary both in quantity as well as time due to the effectiveness and dyskinesia that I read about. I’d like to know others that have taken only Munuca Pruriens to see if dyskinesia has been an issue? I find differing opinions on this.