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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Tremor Neck and Back Pain
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Tremor Neck and Back Pain
by Bunrue, Oct 17, 2005 12:00AM
My 42 year old husband has been suffering from a unilateral postural tremor for about 4 years now, along with neck and back pain. I have also noticed that his other arm has now begun to shake when he is raising it. The tremor is very visible (his whole arm will shake) when he is standing, but does not appear when he is resting or reclining. When the tremor is at it's worst, his gait appears almost twisted. He does not shuffle. The neck pain he describes as sharp pains in his spine. The neurologist that he went to has been no help at all, he was given Sinemet which did nothing to help him, it actually made the back pain much worse. My husband had a neck dissection a few years back and I am wondering if that could have anything to do with it. He also has mild arthritis in his back. The only thing that helps the tremor, back and neck pain is rest and relaxation or valium. Could this be Parkinson's? We are both scared to death, and I feel like my life has being taken over by this.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Oct 21, 2005 12:00AM
Parkonsons disease is usually responsive to sinemet, although a trial of up to 1000mg per day may be necessary to confirm this.
The tremor of parkinsons is a rest tremor, but can appear somewhat postural also, but should disappear in the early stages with movement. Make sure the arm is completely rested and limp before saying that he does not have a resting tremor. It can be commonly confused with a number of other causes of tremor such as familial benign essential tremor - if there is a family history of tremor or responsiveness to alcohol this is more likely. A pinched nerve in the neck (neck pain may be a clue) could make a physiological (ie within normal limits) tremor worse or appear. Tremor can also occir from medications (have these checked out) or brainstem problems (ie old stroke) - in this case it is important to get an MRI of the brain to exclude these. The best person to delineate the diagnosis (I cannot do this over the internet) is a neurologist with specialized training in movement disorders - this is your best bet, they are available at most major medical centers, and they are specifically trained in identifying all the mimics of parkinsons disease.
Good luck
The tremor of parkinsons is a rest tremor, but can appear somewhat postural also, but should disappear in the early stages with movement. Make sure the arm is completely rested and limp before saying that he does not have a resting tremor. It can be commonly confused with a number of other causes of tremor such as familial benign essential tremor - if there is a family history of tremor or responsiveness to alcohol this is more likely. A pinched nerve in the neck (neck pain may be a clue) could make a physiological (ie within normal limits) tremor worse or appear. Tremor can also occir from medications (have these checked out) or brainstem problems (ie old stroke) - in this case it is important to get an MRI of the brain to exclude these. The best person to delineate the diagnosis (I cannot do this over the internet) is a neurologist with specialized training in movement disorders - this is your best bet, they are available at most major medical centers, and they are specifically trained in identifying all the mimics of parkinsons disease.
Good luck
