Hi-- My mom is 60 yrs old and has no health insurance. So, she has not been to a Dr regarding these symptoms and is not currently taking any perscribed medications.
Her first symptoms started approx 10 yrs ago. This was w/in a couple of yrs of having chemo and radiation for stage IV cervical cancer (still cancer free.) I mention this b/c we have always wondered if her symptoms could be related...she rec'd radiation implants on her left side, which is where her symptoms are. It all started w/ one finger that tremored on her left hand. It has gradually progressed over the years (more so over the past 3 or so years.)
Now, she no longer uses her left arm at all and her hand shakes all the time ...whether she is using it or not (she cannot even use it to talk on the cell or lift a sandwich.) She also drags her left leg. This is new in the past 2 years. First it was a slight limp, now she drags it. She doesn't drag it so that the top of her foot is on the ground...she actually just takes a very lg step w/her right leg then her left leg follows w/the ball of her foot on the ground.
I have also recently noticed that 2 fingers on her left hand are "clawing up." They are curling at the fingertips pretty dramatically.
I have also recently noticed (just over the past 6 mos) that her head very slightly shakes.
Other symptoms that may or may not be related:
-she chews and swallows VERY slowly w/this look on her face like she is concentrating??
-she has SEVERE anxiety. It started several yrs ago (many women in our family deal w/anxiety issues.) She has panick attacks very easily. Now, she has this uncontrollable fear of what "might" happen. She is also afraid of having a panick attack in public, so she no longer leaves the house except to visit her father across town. She is really missing out on life and family events. She has always gone to church, worked, taught arobics, been very active. She does none of this now.
-I have noticed sometimes (this is off and on) in her speech there are very slight "flow" issues...slight hesitations. Someone who didn't know her well may not notice. But I def. notice. HOWEVER, she has gotten her hands on some Zanex for anxiety (she takes when she is having a really bad day) and I wonder if this could cause her speech to sound a little "off." ???
These are the main symptoms that are noticable. There may be others she doesn't share w/anyone. I bring it up w/her, and she says she is taking care of herself and pretty much shuts me down. I have begged her to go to the Dr and at least get a dx (there are Dr's that take patients w/out insurance.) But, she always comes up w/an excuse....I think this is b/c of her anxiety/agoraphobia she is dealing with.
She claims she is "happy" and she does seem pretty energetic and looks good (besides the other symptoms.)
We have kicked around Parkinson's, but are there other possibilities? And, is it possible the radiation implants she had yrs ago on her lft side could be causing this??
Any suggestions of links, Dr's names, supportive websites, etc. would be fantastic!
I hate seeing my mom this way...
Sincerely,