I am 58, male, with tremors. Is it Parkinson’s disease?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 58-year-old man who has noticed that my right hand has started trembling when I am not using it, and my handwriting has become much smaller and harder to read. My wife says I have been walking more slowly, and my face does not show expressions like it used to. I also feel stiff in the mornings and have trouble getting out of bed or chairs.

Could these symptoms mean I am developing Parkinson’s disease, and if so, what treatments are available to slow down its progression?

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Your symptoms are very suggestive of Parkinson’s disease (PD):

Rest tremor in the right hand.
Micrographia (smaller handwriting).
Bradykinesia (slower walking, difficulty rising from chairs).
Masked facies (reduced facial expression).
Rigidity or stiffness, especially in the morning.

These features together strongly point toward early Parkinson’s disease, though your neurologist would confirm the diagnosis with a clinical examination and sometimes supportive tests, such as a Dopamine Transporter Scan (DaTscan).

I would suggest the following measures:

Levodopa + Carbidopa (most effective for stiffness, slowness, and tremor).
Dopamine agonists (Pramipexole, Ropinirole) – can be used in younger patients or in combination with Levodopa.
Monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors (Rasagiline, Selegiline) – mild benefit, may delay motor complications slightly.
Amantadine – helpful for dyskinesias and sometimes tremor.

Medications, especially Levodopa and Carbidopa, can provide excellent symptom control for many years. Regular exercise (walking, cycling, yoga, physiotherapy) helps maintain mobility and balance. Speech therapy can help if the voice becomes soft. Occupational therapy helps with daily activities.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is for selected patients with medication-responsive symptoms but fluctuations. Currently, there are no proven treatments that stop or reverse Parkinson’s disease progression, but:

Early and optimized treatment helps maintain independence.
Exercise and an active lifestyle are associated with better long-term outcomes.
Good control of other conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and sleep issues, supports brain health.

While progression cannot be completely halted, a combination of medication, exercise, and therapy can help preserve quality of life and independence for a long time.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.