Long Term Affects of Parkinsons Disease

[Robin]

This is a great website for people who have neurological problems.  I just found it and I am glad that I did.  I have two questions for you.  One for myself and one for my dad.  My father has parkinson's disease.  He was diagnosed at 74 and he is now 76.  I notice that he now has trouble getting up from chairs, walking, and he can no longer do the gardening that he used to do.  My question is, do people with this condition become paralyzed and if so, do many years usually pass before this happens?  I know that these things can't be predicted, but I wanted to know what the general progression usually is in patients with this problem.  

My next question (sorry for two at once) pertains to myself.  I have a sensory peripheral neuropathy in which I have pain in my right hand only and the etiology is unknown.  After two years with this problem, I still have not experienced any numbness that they talk about.  Anyway, I was told that eventually people's hands will go numb and they won't be able to use their hand for basic purposes such as writing, typing, or holding objects.  Is that true?  Does this happen to people in your experience?

Robin

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Robin:

Sorry to hear about your father.  Parkinson's responds well to treatment, as a rule.  We initially start a dopamine agonist and then eventually treat with sinemet (L-dopa and MAO inhibitor).  Some people begin with a MAO inhibitor and this is by personal preference.  Alot depends on how long your father had the symptoms without a diagnosis.  Most of the time it is months to years, but still the medications should be of great benefit to him and he has alot of years ahead of him.

Without an etiology of your sensory neuropathy I cannot really give you an predictions.  Since all the usual things like carpal tunnel, amyloid, sarcoid, diabetes, alcoholism, etc have been ruled out, it is difficult to assess.  I am sorry that I can't give you a better answer.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD