Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...

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pgrandmaof2 05/17/2012

I should have discussed this with my neuro on my last visit, but thought I was experiencing rare & unrelated issues. Now I am wondering if the horribly painful ankle cramps (which causes my foot to cramp in an off-sided angle) is a PD symptom. It is happening more & more frequently! Also, I have developed an almost constant pain in my lower back on one side. (I have had back surgery years ago on the other side, but this feels nothing like I did pre-surgery then.) This is on my right side - the side I have the most difficulty with (tremors, weakness in that leg, etc.)

I have been wanting to ask the group if this is something they have experienced with their PD, but have been too embarrassed - for fear I am making a stretch here. I am going to have to trust that you will understand when I say this is something that truly has me concerned and be able to relate to how you have felt in the various stages of PD as new (& weird???) symptoms developed.

deleted_user 05/18/2012

Hi The ankle cramping is a symptom of PD. I have it also , but as soon I take my meds, it goes away . The back I am not sure of. your pain may be different , from the one , you had before the surgery, because the one site is fixed and there is more support . Zlatica

deleted_user 05/18/2012

Hello. I have alot of cramping in ankle joints and leg joints, hip joints. i also have lots of muscle pain in lower back until meds kick in. I was told it all part in parcel of PD package, and it does change with med on off times. My shoulder also freezes but that has been doing that for 10 yrs.

peace

bp

Dirky 05/18/2012

Hi pgrandmaof2, I have experienced the foot cramplike tightening feeling on the soles of both feet, but only once has this occured. But what really grabbed my attention in your post was when you mention lower back pain. I have had re-occuring lower back pain for 25 yrs plus.

This started after I had, had an absess at the very tip of my spine caused by heavy & hot foundry work. My pain centres on the area where the absess was, from the tip of my spine, the main seat of pain radiates from there an area of 8 or 9 inch radius. I've had PD 18 yrs, and at the time of getting the absess, I was told that, that area would always be weakened and that I would have to be extremely careful when lifting in future.

I am experiencing back pain now as I type this, my Dr has given me painkillers, but they have hardly touched the pain. I told my Neuro about my back pain recently and she told me that my PD is probably causing some issues with the pain in that area.

I'll be going back to see my Dr if the pain don't ease very soon. I had my back X-Rayed twice in the early months after the absess, but they showed no bone or disc damage. I have a feeling they may X-Ray it again.. so I wander what has been causing me pain all these years if there's no obvious bone or disc damage.

I have leg pain, stiffness & rigidity to varying dgrees, and find that stretching can make my pain worse. I don't go for the stage therory as we're all individuals with this disease. My tremours have spread & worsened from just being in my right hand initially to all over body tremours, though fortunately don't always kick in at the same time, it's usually in various combinations of both hands, jaw & either leg... sometimes the tremour effects my tongue too.

A lot of people think that the tremours are the only symptom of PD, there are many more, I'm experiencing swallowing problems at the moment and my Neuro is arranging some therapy to help with that, along with breathing and voice enhancing therapy, because I'm quietly spoken and have volume problems occaisionally where the volume drops suddenly without warning and I have to repeat myself which can make things worse and very embarrassing.

I wish you well...

Yours Sincerely Dirky !!;O))x

hisknobs 05/20/2012

p., First of all don't be embarassed to ask questions on any subject. You are not alone . Any new ache, pain tremor, stiffness, or other symptom could be just a "normal" symptom of aging. bach aches are especially sensitive because they make you worry to move. I find that heat therapy or massage can be a great relief. good luck and good health. Alex

PSullivan 05/22/2012

hey p.... as alex said don't ever be embarrassed to ask a question or share a symptom... i get ankle and foot cramps every evening now like clock work... this is gonna sound really wierd lol but it works for me ... my daughter or my hubby push down on my feet (one at a time) as hard as i can stand it... then back the opposite way... a few times on each foot and for some reason that helps me... (stop laughing!!!) hugs... paula

deleted_user 05/28/2012

I know each of us are different with PD. So, for what it's worth, I stopped drinking diet cola and that helped with back pain (spasms on PD side). I also take 300 mg of topical magnesium + 2 100 mg pills. I also take 4 herseys kisses in the evening that have helped with toe cramps. From what I understand, PD folks are usually magnesium deficient. I had heard that all artificial sweeteners were neuro toxic but didn't believe if and continued to drink diet soda and use the artificial sweeteners until I learned from experience. I now use stevia which is natural and no calorie. I read where chocolate was a good source of magnesium and that is why I started the hersheys kisses. I want to add that this was not a placebo effect since I was not expecting the results I got.

I hope this helps someone. I got my orginal tip from this support group.

Love to all.

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