Friends In Frederick 
Parkinson's Disease Support Group

The first symptoms vary from patient to patient but usually begin with a feeling of weakness or fatique. Symptoms usually appear on one side of the body and remain that way for some time. Other signs may be the dragging of the leg while walking, change in handwriting, tremors and generalized trouble with mobility. Some people lose their sense of smell.

--CLICK HERE--for the Ten Early Warning Signs of Parkinson's Disease

• Tremor At Rest- most common symptom.
• Rigidity- tightness or increase in muscle tone at rest or throughout the entire range of motion
• Bradykinesia- Greek meaning "Slow Movement". This covers numerous symptoms. The most common are a mask-like facial expression, a decrease in fine motor coordination (such as turning over in bed, dressing and handwriting)
• Balance - especially falling backward
• Speech - quieter with difficulty being understood
• Swallowing, drooling
• Loss of sense of smell
• S-L-O-W cramped, tiny handwriting
• Constipation
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleep Disturbances

Since there are such a varied number of symptoms that you may or may not experience, it is crucial that you see a qualified doctor (usually a neurologist) and request an examination. A neurologist who is also a Movement Disorder Specialist often deals with Parkinson's Disease.

• Levodopa in combination with carbidopa is a common treatment
• A new long acting Carbidopa/Levodopa medicine called Rytary became available in 2015
• Dopamine agonists which act like dopamine in the brain are sometimes used with Levodopa or alone
• Nuplazid to treat Parkinson's Psychosis
• Numerous other drugs are available to help with Parkinson's symptoms
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery has been used effectively
• Physical therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational therapy
• Exercise
• Support Groups

HOWEVER, there is currently no cure for Parkinson's Disease

"The only thing having Parkinson's has given me is a total appreciation for how valuable time is,"

- weightlifter Josh Robinson