I have read that PD is the most misdiagnosed and misunderstood disease.As for myself, It took 8 years to get a proper diagnosis.It is even harder to get a Parkinson's diagnosis if you are under the age of 45.Because YOPD is rarely seen.
Took about a year and a half from age 60 to 62 before PD diagnosed because never did show all the 3 out of 4 symptoms at one time for clinical dx until after deciding to get DBS for ET and in ruling out PD they finally saw some rigidity. I think I probably had young onslaught PD but it never came up because the familial tremor and antidepressant meds masked it from clinicians.My theory, anyway. But I did respond to PD meds, so they looked more closely. Hard to find it, even when they are looking for it.
@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member for PD you need a Mouvement Disorder Specialists
This is were the spec dat scan can help with diagnosis.
I was diagnosed first shot. I took in two samples of my hand writing which were written about a year apart . The neurologist took one look at them and said you have Parkinson's.
I was diagnosed at 39 years old. Every doctor I went to saw it immediately. My symptoms were slow gait, rigidity, slowness of motor skills. I also was depressed and anxious. I thougth I was nervous, or having post partum depression. I had just stopped nursing my 20 month old baby. It is now 27 years later, and I am still working, and enjoying life, even while dealing with this insidous intruder (PD). I now have four grandchildren. I have been blessed because my progression has been extremely slow, but never-the-less, constant and persistant.