I wish I knew where my PD came from...no genetic link, no head trauma, and no exposure to pesticides that I know of. Symptoms were leg pain, shuffling, freezing, small writing, softer voice which are all managed by Sinemet. Now I also have sleep problems and constipation. No tremors.

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member, Sorry I took so long to answer. My days go by so fast, and I try to limit my time on the computer since it is one of my Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. These are the medications I had taken for about 7 years when "all heck broke loose":
Pramipexole - 1 mg - 1 and 1/2 tablets per day
Azilect - 1 mg - 1 tablet in am
Then I started getting nightmares almost every night with a lot of movement and screaming, my husband would wake me up and I would go right back to sleep and sometimes would have more nightmares or continue the same ones, I would remember my nightmares vividly after I woke up in the morning. I told my Neurologist about the nightmares. She said that the Pramipexole was causing the nightmares and lowered the dose from 1 and 1/2 tablets to just 1/2 tablet a day and added:
Carbidopa/Levodopa - 25/100 mg CR tabs - 1 tablet 3 X a day
Then a few months later added:
Entacapone - 200 mg - 1 tablet 3 X a day
I don't have as many nightmares any more and I don't remember them as much, but I do have a lot of movement of arms and legs and I still do some screaming from time to time. The other morning I hit my forehead on the nightstand trying to get away from a "giant spider" in my nightmare. Luckily my nightstand is rounded, not pointed so It didn't break the skin, but it hurt like crazy!
Here is a list of my symptoms to date: (I may be missing one or two)
Tremors
Loss of strength
Change in gait
Apathy
Memory loss
OCD: present: spending too much time on computer
past: excessive spending on unneeded items
Voice/Speech problems
Swallowing problems
Heartburn
Sleep problems
Nightmares
Constipation
Pain
Dystonia
Rigidity
Reduced threshold for pain
Infections due to lowered immune system
Bad posture/forward head
Breathing poblems

There is one thing that I have learned and that is that when it comes to Parkinson's, everyone's symptoms are unique. There are many factors at stake, like, your age, your medications, your health, your doctor, the cause for your Parkinson's; be it genetic or environmental, whether you exercise or not, etc. Some symptoms come from the disease itself and some are the result of the medications. My advice to you is to do your research on this disease, find a good Neurologist who is a movement specialist, and between both of you, and your significant other, of course, decide what will give you the best quality of life until, hopefully, a cure is found. Good Luck! : )

Mentioned Users

A MyParki...

I don't know that I was exposed to any chemicals though there was asbestos in the older schools I worked in and they were treated regularly with pesticides to kill roaches. No one else in my family has PD, I was diagnosed at age 57, though looking back I had symptoms for much longer, just not tremors.

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member Chuck's surgery was totally successful. Did not even need med again until 4 years ago. Just the last 2 years having balance/falling issues. Short term memory is pretty much gone. He still functions amazingly well for as long as he has had PD (34yrs) still walking, dressing and feeding himself with no problems. Very little tremor still and people do not believe he has PD. His Dr. Calls him her super patient. It is only when batteries need replaced that you can see how far the PD Has Progressed. He then can not even move. Thank God for DBS at least for Chuck it has been a miracle.

Mentioned Users

A MyParki...

I was diagnosed at 49. Main symptoms, fatigue and tremor in left hand. Hasn't progressed as of yet. No PD in family. I worked around Gasoline (Benzene) for 15 years.