What Parkinson's Symptoms Feel Like

Fatigue

Fatigue in Parkinson’s is not simply feeling tired.Many people describe it as:• sudden loss of energy• feeling physically heavy• mental exhaustion after simple tasksFatigue may occur even after sleeping

Freezing of Gait

Freezing is often described as:• feet feeling “stuck to the floor”• inability to take the first step• hesitation in doorways or tight spacesStress or rushing can make freezing worse.

Cognitive Slowing

Some people describe cognitive slowing as:• thoughts taking longer to form• difficulty finding the right words• needing more time to process conversations

Dyskinesia

What Parkinson's dyskinesia feels like to some people:• like your body is on auto pilot with no way to shut if off• Constant muscle spasms. The muscles contract causing one to look like they are creating new dance moves•Usually caused by levodopa not the disease itselfThe symptoms often occur during peak "On' time where medication is working well to control other symptoms of the disease

Dystonia

What Dystonia feels like to many.• forced muscle contractions• like someone is putting a part of your body often the leg or foot in a heavy-duty bench vise grip press slowing turning the knob until it feels like that body part might rip off• typically happens during "Off" time when one is low on dopamine.

Tremors

Tremors both internal and external.Some people experience:• the inability to stop shaking• like you are stuck outside during a blizzard without a jacket where your body is fighting to stay warm.• The shaking can happen anywhere in your body including internal organs (invisible to others) and external body parts where it is (visible) to others.

Vision Changes

Vision symptoms may include:• blurry or fluctuating vision• difficulty reading• misinterpreting objects in dim lightingThese symptoms may occur because Parkinson’s can affect blinking and visual processing.

Anxiety

Parkinson’s anxiety may feel different from normal stress.Some people experience:• sudden waves of anxiety• internal restlessness• anxiety during medication “off” periods

Bradykinesia

Some people would describe it as muscle weakness.Some people experience:• The feeling that you are trying to walk through quicksand or undried concrete.• Trouble completing normal daily tasks.• It is like your body is connected to a tv remote scrolling through a tv show in slow mode.

Apathy

Apathy symptoms include:• Lack of feeling—numbness• Lack of— or no reaction to emotions• Lack of interest doing activities you normally love participating inA combination of medication and behavioral therapy is used to treat symptoms.

Sleep Disturbances

Some people experience:• Difficulty falling or staying asleep• Frequent waking• Daytime exhaustion

Pain

Many would describe their pain as.• Muscle aching or stiffness• Nerve-like pain (burning-stabbing)• Pain without clear injury

OFF Time

Symptoms include:• Symptoms suddenly worsen• Medication feels like it stopped workingCan affect movement and mood

Bladder Dysfunction

Bladder issues with Parkinson's.Some people experience:• The constant need to use the bathroom to urinate• The feeling that your bladder is not getting empty each time you use the bathroom• The inability to delay urination once the need is established.

Rigidity

Many would describe rigidity as.• constant stiffness in one's limbs resistant to movement• pain in the muscles and joints• can be triggered by stress or low dopamine "off" time