Unsure of PD symptoms
 

Hi,

I suspect that I have PD (29/f), but I'm unsure because of the nature of the symptoms. I have no tremor. Most prominent symptom is progressive rigidity of the neck and shoulder muscles.

Is it common to present with rigidity as the main symptom?

I suspect PD also because of loss of smell, poor balance, and difficulty moving. I've had these symptoms for 3+ years.

Do go see a movement disorder specialist or a neurologist.

Hi,
Rigidity is one of the cardinal symptoms, usually accompanied by a slowness or absence of movement and to begin with usually just affecting one side of your body.
Do you find when you walk you aren't swinging one arm or not as much as the other?
Do you think you have a slowness or clumsiness when doing things like brushing your teeth or clapping?
Tremor is what a lot of people associate with PD but not present in all.
I don't know statistically the number of pts are that do or do not have tremor.
Like Nan said in her posting see a neurologist and or MDS.
Best wishes.

peripheral neuropathy is another thing to consider.

Do you have the neck and shoulder stiffness primarily upon waking, or does it persist or come on at a different time of the day?

I have had neck and shoulder pain and joint stiffness upon waking for years. I take a lot of vitamin C and that has kept that problem to a minimum. These days I am taking 4,000 mg of C spread throughout the day. I did find relief years ago with only 2,000 mg though.

You might also consider trying the B vitamins to rule out methylation issues, though for me, who definitely responds to the range of B vitamins, it has made no difference on my shoulder and neck stiffness issues. My neck and shoulder problems are minimal once I'm maybe a half hour into the day.