Home remedy for tremor

December 25, 2012 By

Q: In one of the past newspaper articles, I saw a remedy which might help essential tremor. I didn’t write down the ingredients but now need it. I think it was something like grape seed and B50. I would appreciate your letting me know the correct ingredients for this problem.

A: Essentially tremor, also known as benign essential tremor is a nervous symptoms disorder that causes rhythmic shaking. It most often affects the hands but can occur in any part of the body such as the arms, legs, head and voice. The condition is progressive, worsening over time, but it isn’t generally a cause for concern and isn’t the result of an underlying disease such as Parkinson’s.

The primary difference between essential tremor and Parkinson’s tremor is that essential tremor worsens during movement, whereas Parkinson’s tremors worsen during rest. [Read more...]

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Man diagnosed with rare, neurological disorder

December 20, 2012 By

Q: My dad was diagnosed with supranuclear palsy. At first they thought it was Parkinson’s. Two neurologists told me and my family there is no treatment. Could you help us with finding some information on this horrible disease?

A: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare brain disorder that today affects approximately 200,000 Americans over the age of 60, making it much less common than Parkinson’s that affects 2 ½ times as many individuals. I can understand why his physicians might have considered Parkinson’s because of similarities, but in 1964 scientists published a paper that outlined the differences between the two conditions. PSP is now thought of as an atypical Parkinsonian syndrome or “Parkinson-plus” disorder meaning that the condition displays many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease with some variations.
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Patient and doctor differ on diagnosis

November 17, 2012 By

Q: I would like information on orthostatic tremor. The symptoms look like Parkinson’s disease to me but my doctor says that’s not what I have. Can you provide any information for me?

A: An orthostatic tremor affects the muscles of the legs and trunk and can radiate upward to other portions of the body. Orthostatic refers to being in a standing position. Thus, orthostatic tremor occurs when an individual is in a standing position and disappears when lying down or sitting. This rather uncommon disorder resembles shakiness and unsteadiness of the legs when standing still and oddly enough, the tremor will decrease if the individual begins walking. However, that fact does not over-ride the feeling of risk of injury from falling. The tremor experienced is of high frequency, meaning the rhythm is extremely rapid with between 8 to 12 cycles [Read more...]

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Is back pain related to Parkinson’s?

May 31, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 53-year-old female diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Family history of tremor but no one was ever diagnosed with PD. My symptoms are all on the right side which include gait disturbance and a tremor in my hand and foot. I had a DaT scan which came back abnormal, showing a dopamine deficiency. The most puzzling aspect is that I have chronic back pain between my shoulder blades which radiates into my neck. It is so severe that I cannot work.

The neurologist said that the med (Mirapex) should help with the pain if it is related to my PD. I have been on the med for three months with no relief. I have tried physical therapy, acupuncture and steroid shots. The physiatrist is now sending me for an EMG of my upper right extremity to rule out that it is nerve related.
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Comparing Parkinson’s to parkinsonism

September 28, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My 80-year-old father has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome. What is the difference between that and Parkinson’s disease? Upon reading medical information about both, he does follow the characteristics of both conditions.

Thank you for any information you can provide.

DEAR READER: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive degenerative disease that results from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine is produced by the body and has many effects, one of which is coordinated muscle movement.
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Anti-anxiety med for tremor?

March 13, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My doctor has prescribed a light dose of Xanax for an essential tremor, which seems to help. Is this medicine doing me any harm, or is there something better?

DEAR READER: Essential tremor can be caused by several conditions, including anxiety and stress. It is often confused with Parkinson’s disease, and affects almost 15 percent of people over the age of 65.

The Xanax you have been prescribed is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. I can only assume your physician prescribed it because he or she believes the tremor is caused by anxiety. [Read more...]

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Parkinson’s and excess saliva

March 11, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have Parkinson’s disease and have a great deal of saliva. I take two kinds of drugs — ropinirole and carbidopa/levodopa — and wonder if they are necessary.

DEAR READER: Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder with a myriad of symptoms, including fatigue, malaise, depression, memory loss, cramped handwriting, tremor, rigidity, gait abnormalities, lack of facial expression and sense of smell, and more. Postural instability develops as the disease progresses. Excess saliva is uncommon, but each person experiences different symptoms, so I won’t unequivocally dismiss any involvement with your diagnosis. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

February 2, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 73-year-old husband has been diagnosed with Vascular Parkinson’s (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy).

After the neurologists’ diagnosis, I did research on the internet and found that my husband has every symptom, both physical and mental. His falls started several years ago. His movements are now painfully slow, his thinking is impaired, he has trouble swallowing, spills foods, requires help getting up and down, has great trouble walking even with a walker, has lost weight, is very weak, spends 15+ hours in bed a day, has a blank stare and reduced eye movement (says he can’t see).

He has not accepted that there is no cure and asked that I write for your opinion on the best place to seek help. [Read more...]

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Three Conditions Share Symptoms

January 11, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
A relative of mine has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. We have found that normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) has many of the same symptoms. Would you please explain the difference between the two diseases and advise the correct treatments?

DEAR READER:
First, I will briefly discuss hydrocephalus.

The body produces about eight ounces of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) each day. Almost all of that fluid is reabsorbed into the bloodstream. When this fails to occur, as with head injury, stroke, meningitis or when a tumor develops, an imbalance occurs. This problem is known as hydrocephalus. There are two known forms, congenital and acquired. Congenital hydrocephalus generally occurs at birth. The acquired form (NPH) most frequently occurs in individuals over the age of 60.

Now, the problem. Symptoms include gait abnormalities, difficulty walking up and down stairs, confusion, urinary frequency and urgency, and short term memory loss. As you pointed out, these are also symptoms tied to Parkinson’s and also to Alzheimer’s.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus differs from congenital hydrocephalus in that pressure in the head may have fluctuations of CSF from high to low or even normal. Some cases are linked to bleeding in the brain or result from a blockage in the flow of CSF through and around the brain and spinal cord. [Read more...]

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Sunday Column

November 23, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
In a recent column in our local newspaper, a writer told of a friend with the shakes, as in the early stages of Parkinson’s. In the article, the reference was to B-5Q in a couple of places and again in your answer.

The last sentence of your response, however, referred to B-50. Could you clear this up for us, please? My brother is in the early stages of Parkinson’s or something like it and has the shakes. We attempted to locate B-5Q with no success, but B-50 is available.

Thank you. We appreciate your help.

DEAR READER:
As I am sure you are aware, Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that is both chronic and progressive. It is not contagious, nor is it generally inherited. [Read more...]

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