I have a strong family history of PD. Both my mother and maternal uncle had PD, so a definite family history.
I am 63 and struggling with progressing symptoms. 4 years ago developed a slight tremor in my left hand. Some months later I began feeling a lot of weakness in my legs, this now affects all my limbs and shoulders now. The fine tremor in the fingers of my left hand is now in my right hand. I’m right handed. I noticed I was losing finger dexterity 2-3 years ago especially after activities. Now it’s as if my entire arm is losing dexterity and flexibility.
I saw a neurologist about 18 months ago who observed the fine tremor in my left hand but was fairly dismissive as I wasn’t an open and shut case eg obvious pill-rolling tremor. She wasn’t interested in sending me for further tests to investigate what could be causing my symptoms. I was referred back to the GP for “monitoring”. My GP surgery is practically a call centre these days. It’s rare to actually speak to a doctor. There’s no “monitoring” of anything. So I gave up on the whole thing as I felt pretty dismissed.
Since then my symptoms have progressed and I don’t know what to do next. I’m scared about what’s happening and I have so little faith in the health system who just haven’t taken me seriously. Just doing simple things with my hands is getting more difficult. I’m noticing that I am subconsciously changing how I’m doing things to accommodate my increasing lack of dexterity and the have tremor is becoming more obvious when holding spoons etc.
I really am stuck in a limbo state and knowing what to do next is a real problem.
