Jackie, my name is Cindy. My husband ,Al, was diagnosed 12 years ago and does not have tremor. Like you said, we are in that 30% of PWP who don't, and believe me you should feel blessed! I know we do. Al has what is known as intentional tremor. It just means that when he is trying really hard to do something that requires fine motor skills( placing the point of the screwdriver onto the head of the screw) he will have tremor. He was in the office machine repair business (copiers,etc.) for 35 years and that was why he couldn't continue to work after diagnosed. I don't think your husband will develope PD tremor later, but just so you know , he can develope another kind of tremor, like Al's. The extreme fatigue was also a problem for Al but Mirapex took care of that. He was started on Mirapex several years ago and it worked so well for a long time. Now , though, it seems to have lost it's effectiveness, I am sorry to say. Al can still do things on his own(personal grooming,
 eating,etc.) but the dyskenesia he has makes it VERY difficult and VERY messy! But as long as there are electric razors and paper towels we are going to keep on trying!!! He does sleep(nap) alot because everything does require so much effort,he just poops out. He loves to fish and we go every week. But the next day he is sleeping almost all day, just worn out. I hope I have helped alittle bit and if I can answer any other questions , I will be glad to. Oh yes, you mentioned age. I am surely no expert, but I think everyone on this list will agree, one sure thing about PD is that it isn't predictable! No matter when you get it, it can progress slowly or rapidly!  Al was told by 3 out of 4 neuro( one is the head of neurolgy at a medical unversity,and another is a movement disorder specialist) that he had PD Plus, which progresses quickly and does not respond well to PD meds. Here we are 12 years later, our present neuro says if Al had PD Plus he would already be in a
 wheelchair or worse, so no , he does not have PD plus. See, you just can't predict this thing!The first few years I drove myself crazy trying to figure out what is going to happen , forget it. Just learn all you can about the caregiving end of this disease and let tomorrow come. God bless you and your husband. If this is any consolation, a doctor told Al one time, "You won't die from PD ,but you will die with it."  Cindy CG for Al 66/54/53Jackie <[log in to unmask]> wrote:  My name is Jackie. It is my husband who was recently diagnosed
(finally) with PD. Even tho he is a retired MD, I and the one doing
the research. I am a retired RN. He is having a hard time with the
diagnosis.

So far, I have been unable to find certain kinds of information that
our pertinent to his situation, and long-term prognosis. Here are the
facts:

He is almost 80 yrs. old, and in otherwise very good physical
condition. His symptoms, which began approximately two years ago, are
lower body muscle weakness, some gait and balance problems, but minor
at this time. He has extreme fatigue. He does NOT have any tremors!
The neurologist says he is among the 30% who do not present with
tremors with PD. He has also begun to have some cognitive issues such
as processing details, and lots of short-term memory loss. This is the
most frustrating issue for him.

He has been put on what appears to be the normal treatment of Sinemet
and Selegeline, three times a day, which will be increased over time
according to the neurologist.

I would like to hear from those who did not present with tremors when
diagnosed. I am interested in whether the tremors eventually do show
up, or whether at his age, they may never occur? What might be the
progression of symptoms when being diagnosed at this late age? Do the
above medicines benefit someone who does not have tremors? Is anyone
taking Coenzyme Q10?

He is continuing to go to his local health club where they have
introduced him to some new 'balance' type exercises, and he does some
limited time on the bicycles, etc. Are there any other exercise
regimens we should explore?

Thanks so much. I guess that's a lot of questions, but I look forward
to hearing from anyone who has answers or comments.

Jackie

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