Leg Tremors?

About Parkinson's and health Symptoms
1

Hi there

I would like to know if anyone has only leg tremors? I am awaiting a diagnosis and am fairly sure that I have Parkinson’s.

My main symptoms are leg tremors at rest (first left then right, now a bit of both) slowness, rigidity (I feel like my shock absorbers have been removed!), fatigue and deteriorating handwriting. But I don’t have a lack of arm swing when I walk so the GP is unsure.

I saw a neurologist last October who diagnosed essential tremor, and put my other symptoms down to thyroid issues. Head MRI scan and NCS/EMG came back as normal. I have a second neurology appointment in a few weeks time as all of my symptoms have worsened considerably since then.

I am aware that no two cases are the same but am very interested to hear if anyone else has tremors only in the legs and not arms etc.

Thank you

2

Hello @Cosmos, thank you for sharing your first post. We hope you find the forum a helpful place to ask questions, share experiences and get support from people who just get it.

We understand that waiting for results and a diagnosis can bring up a range of different emotions. We are here to support you through the process. We have information to help with getting a diagnosis and how Parkinson’s is diagnosed, which you might find helpful to read through: Getting a diagnosis | Parkinson's UK

You might also find it useful to read the symptoms of Parkinson’s to see if you can relate to any of them: Parkinson's symptoms | Parkinson's UK

We also hope the community will share their individual experiences to help.

Take care :blue_heart:

Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team

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Hello Cosmos .. From Ai …

Best wishes

Steve2

It makes sense that you’re trying to understand whether leg‑only tremor can fit with Parkinson’s, especially when your symptoms don’t match the “classic” picture. What you’re describing can happen, and there is medical literature supporting it — but it’s also true that several different conditions can look similar early on, which is why your follow‑up neurology appointment is important.

:compass: Key point

Yes — some people do present with tremor mainly or only in the legs, including forms of Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s UK notes that resting tremor can affect the legs as well as the hands, and published case studies describe people whose first symptom was a leg‑only tremor that later evolved into more typical Parkinsonian features.

:brain: What the evidence shows

1. Leg tremor can be a Parkinson’s symptom

  • Parkinson’s resting tremor often affects the hands and legs and can appear asymmetrically.

  • Some people have tremor‑dominant Parkinson’s, where tremor is the main early symptom.

2. Leg‑only tremor as an early sign has been documented

A study of patients with Parkinson’s found that:

  • Some had unilateral (one‑leg) tremor as their initial symptom.

  • Tremor appeared only when standing in some cases, and resembled a Parkinsonian resting tremor.

  • Parkinsonism (slowness, rigidity, etc.) sometimes appeared months to years later.

  • Progression in these cases was often slow.

3. Your other symptoms do align with Parkinson’s

The combination you describe:

  • Resting tremor

  • Slowness

  • Rigidity (“shock absorbers removed” is a very common description)

  • Fatigue

  • Worsening handwriting

…is consistent with Parkinsonian features, even if your arm swing is still normal. Not everyone loses arm swing early.

4. But essential tremor and other conditions can overlap

Your neurologist’s initial diagnosis of essential tremor is understandable because:

  • Essential tremor can sometimes affect the legs.

  • Thyroid issues can mimic Parkinsonian symptoms.

  • Normal MRI and EMG/NCS are common in both ET and Parkinson’s.

A DaTSCAN is sometimes used when the diagnosis is unclear, though not always necessary.

:puzzle_piece: Why your GP may be unsure

Parkinson’s is diagnosed clinically — there is no single definitive test.
Some people don’t show the “classic” signs early on (like reduced arm swing), and symptoms can evolve over time.

Your worsening symptoms since October are an important reason to be reassessed.

:speaking_head: What others with similar symptoms report

People with early Parkinson’s sometimes describe:

  • Tremor starting in one leg only

  • Tremor spreading to the other leg later

  • No arm tremor for months or years

  • Normal arm swing early on

  • Handwriting changes before arm tremor

  • Feeling “stiff” or “slowed down” long before diagnosis

This matches much of what you’re experiencing.

:compass: What to do now

Your upcoming neurology appointment is the right next step. When you go, it will help to bring:

  • A list of symptoms and when they started

  • Notes on how symptoms have changed since October

  • A short video of your tremor at rest (neurologists find this very helpful)

  • Any family history of tremor or Parkinson’s

If your symptoms have worsened significantly, you can also ask whether a DaTSCAN would be appropriate.

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