Too young for PD?

Hi everyone,

I'm a young, happy, successful, yet unhealthy 24 year old.  I've been dealing with some sort of chronic or progressive problem for roughly 5 years now.  It began in college with some urinary frequency, incontinence, and acid reflux.  Slowly, I developed anxiety, then social anxiety, then some difficulty concentrating, to severe personality changes, a lot of difficulty doing my work (third year law student).  I've had dozens of tests including MRI's, CT's, neurological examinations, went to the Mayo Clinic where I saw a PMR specialist and an internist.  I've got a certified letter from a Harvard trained psych stating that I don't suffer from any psycho-symatic issues, nor am I depressed, anxious, etc.

What I want to know is, what are the chances that I could be suffering from PD at such a young age?  I've compiled a brief list of reasons for my hunch.  Of course, I do not endorse "google" diagnosing, but I feel there are some legitimate questions here that may warrant a PET scan for dopamine activity.  Thoughts?  Additionally, I must admit that I don't really suffer from the traditional "tremor" of PD.  Can the disease manifest itself in others ways without the tremor present in early stages of the disease?  I intend to discuss all of this with PCP on Friday, so I shall keep everyone updated as to my progress.

i. Why Parkinson’s?
1. Executive dysfunction;
a. emotional – no response, no understanding of social or emotional context;
i. no animation – no emotional response in face.
ii. mask like facial expressions.
2. Chronic, progressive (been in the works for years);
a. started with urinary, then reflux, then social anxiety, then headaches, then cognitive, then back pain, then facial pain . . . makes sense.
3. No objective answer (clean MRI, clean CT, clean bloodwork)
a. no common for someone my age – which is WHY we haven’t been looking for it.
4. Spinal pain and involvement
a. Cervical arthritis, DDD – I must always be lurching forward.
b. Several doctors have noted: “You have terrible posture.”
c. Scoliosis
5. Goofy shuffling at times; I notice I drag my feet, but can’t stop it.
6. eczema (face, scalp, groin)
7. Visual and mental “perception” problems are the kind that sufferers of parkinson’s experience.
8. Difficulty going from sitting to standing – I always have to “push” myself up with a sort of “uggh” movement.
9. Vision
a. left eye.
10. Truly poor 3D spatial awareness
11. subtle language and speaking difficultiess
12. very poor balance, among other coordination issues.
13. always drooling . . . .running theme for months.
14. Unexplained urinary incontinence for years.
a. Urinate at least 3 times every evening.
15. Joint pain
16. Nerve pain and involvement – seems to suggest CNS involvement.
a. facial pain
b. jaw pain
c. facial twitching
17. Positive reaction to dopamine drugs, including adderral.
18. Vivid dreams every single night that I can remember.
19. Often Shaky
20. Less food/calorie intake = feel better in general.
21. Twitching face.
22. Drug related inducements: Reglan? Ritalin?


Any advice or suggestions from veterans would be greatly appreciated.  Communities like this are what make the internet an incredible resource!

Thanks!

[ILADVOCATE]

Parkinson's can in rare cases occur at an early age. They should rule out other diagnoses first though. I have tardive dyskinesia (which is clinically related) and among the underused treatments for Parkinson's are Zofran and the natural remedy rhodiola (from clinical studies, administered by a neurologist only). Standard medications include Levo-Dopa/Carbo-Dopa and adjuncts include Mirapex, Bachophen, Requip and Aricept. But make sure that's what your diagnosis is first but from what you are describing it seems like a possibility and these treatments are worth discussing if it is diagnosed.

[ILADVOCATE]

Sorry one more post needed. If you took Reglan they should rule out tardive dyskinesia. Google "Patient Education Tardive Dyskinesia". All of the treatments I mentioned are used (with the exception of carbo-dopa, levo-dopa because that can worsen tardive dyskinesia) and also Clonidine has been markedly helpful for me. Botox shots are used for focal dystonia. This can occur at any age and is a long term side effect of some medications Reglan among them.

[Bribers]

I figured PD was a long shot, but I guess you never know.  Considering all of the medical work ups I've had, I guess anything is possible.

I will look into Tardive Dyskinesia.  I actually spoke to an attorney the other day regarding this, as I used Reglan for my acid reflux for about four months following a gastric emptying study. Not sure what role it plays in all of this, but I intend to find out.

Thanks again.