Are You Worried You Might Have Parkinnson's?

When I was volunteering at a local health fair a couple of years ago, people seemed reluctant to approach the booth with information about Parkinson's (the same way that they avoided the booth about alcoholism and drug addiction). No one wants to consider that he, she or a loved one might have a chronic, progressive, incurable disease like Parkinson's. However, I discovered the following questionnaire which helps educate people about Parkinson's in a non-threatening way.

Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire from the Parkinson Association of the Rockies

If you shake or tremor and you want to learn whether you have Parkinson’s Disease and not Essential Tremor, please answer the following questions. If you don’t shake or tremor but think you may have Parkinson’s Disease, you may also answer this questionnaire. Note - 30% of Parkinson patients do not shake or tremor, or rarely shake and tremor. If you don’t shake or tremor but you have a relative who has Parkinson’s Disease, you may also wish to complete this questionnaire.

Questions:

1. Do you have trouble arising from a chair? О Yes О No

2. Has your handwriting become smaller? О Yes О No

3. Do people say your voice has become softer? О Yes О No

4. Is your balance poor? О Yes О No

5. Do your feet ever seem to get stuck to the floor? О Yes О No

6. Do people say your face always seems sad? О Yes О No

7. Do your hands or legs shake or tremor? О Yes О No

8. Do you have difficulty buttoning buttons? О Yes О No

9. Do you shuffle your feet when you walk? О Yes О No

10. Do you take tiny steps when you walk? О Yes О No

11. Has anyone asked if you have Parkinson’s Disease? О Yes О No

12. Have you ever taken L-dopa, levodopa, Sinemet or Atamet? О Yes О No

Scoring:

Add up all of your “Yes” answers.

1 yes = 8% 7 yes = 58%
2 yes = 16% 8 yes = 66%
3 yes = 25% 9 yes = 75%
4 yes = 33% 10 yes = 83%
5 yes = 41% 11 yes = 91%
6 yes = 50% 12 yes = 100%

Score: Interpretation:

0 – 50% Low possibility of Parkinson’s Disease

51-75% Moderate possibility of Parkinson’s Disease

76-100% High possibility of Parkinson’s Disease

Without seeing you and examining you, it cannot be determined whether your shaking or tremor could be related to Essential Tremor or Parkinson’s Disease. This can only be determined by your physician. You must discuss the symptoms that you are experiencing with your physician.