Re: How is PD diagnosed?

[will johnston <johnston@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 01:23 PM 9/27/96 -0400, you wrote:
>Can someone please tell me the very early symptoms of PD and how it is
>usually diagnosed?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ticia Morgan
>
>
>Sprint Mail:   ddo1tml@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>Dear Ticia,

  The answer to your the second portion of your question is usually
"slowly," but often in error.

  The first part of the question varies widely from person to person.
Usually the sense of smell is dulled. There is a partial paralysis of an
arm, a finger, or a leg. Speech becomes a little slurred. Handwriting
deteriorates. About 75% of the Parkinson's patients have a tremor - a
rythmic tremor when not active that can be consciously stopped temporarily
but not for long. The face becomes more expressionless. There is a tendency
to hold the arm on the affected side close to the body with the elbow bent
so that the hand hangs at about waist level. All in all, there is no
practical method of making a diagnosis with anywhere near certainty except
by watching the person. Supposedly 20++% of cases are diagnosed Parkinson's
in error. Far morte are Parkinson's and not diagnosed as such.

Will in Salisbury, Maryland
WILL JOHNSTON   4049 OAKLAND SCHOOL ROAD
                SALISBURY, MD 21804-2716
                410-543-0110
Pres A.P.D.A.  DelMarVa Chapter
63  Dx1991 Symptoms 1971