Will I get Parkinson's Disease?

By andyharris

1 min read

I am a 56 year old man and I have not been diagnosed with PD. I have been diagnosed with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). I have been acting out my dreams over the last 6-7 years and it's my wife who has suffered. I have shouted, screamed, jumped out of bed, and even beat my wife up thinking she was an intruder. We sleep in separate beds now. I have been taking Clonazapam tablets for about 6 years and the dosage has gradually increased. I prescribed 2.5mg per night now. The tablets have made a difference but still get the occasional night episode.

Prodromal signs of Parkinson's

My worry is that I may have prodromal signs of PD. For example, I've had a poor sense of smell for many years and the last few years I've been suffering with erectile dysfunction and having been taking Viagra for the last 3 years. I've had to increase my dosage over that time period and I still have ED.

Upcoming appointment

I do not have any motor signs though and I keep myself fit, exercising every day and going to the gym. I have an appointment with a neurologist on the 5th June so hopefully I will find out more about my condition.

Am I likely to develop Parkinson's?

Share your story

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The ParkinsonsDisease.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Chris H. Community Admin
Hi, <inline-mention user-id="3036290" username="andyharris"/> - Thanks so much for submitting your story. RBD is definitely a challenging condition to manage. I'm glad to hear that the medication is reducing the number of episodes you're having. This article (<a href='https://parkinsonsdisease.net/clinical/rem-sleep-behavior-disorder/' target='_blank'>https://parkinsonsdisease.net/clinical/rem-sleep-behavior-disorder/</a>) goes into great detail and states that not everyone that has RBD goes on to develop PD. Hope you can keep us updated after your appointment! Take care. - Chris, <a href='http://ParkinsonsDisease.net' target='_blank'>ParkinsonsDisease.net</a> Team
1. andyharris Member
 Thank you for your comments Chris. I have since had an appointment with my neurologist and he has reassured that they will do all they can to help me. He did some motor tests on me and I was ok apart from he noticed some mirroring with the other hand whilst doing hand movement exercises. He is prescribing melatonin to me and is going to book me in for a dat-Scan. So I feel much better that some action is happening now. I’m still having some dream activity most weeks where I am shouting or screaming in my sleep (so my wife tells me who can hear me from her bedroom). So it’s just a matter of following the advice which is to take my medication every night, keep a sleep diary and not to worry about it, which I’m not any more! Thank you for your concern. Andy Harris
Lorraine Wilson Member
It will be best to let your neurologist answer this question for you because each person's situation is unique. I have read in some journal articles that REM sleep behavior disorder can be among the early symptoms of Parkinson's, well in advance of the basic four motor symptoms. I hope you will not worry about this (that just adds stress) and that you and your doctor communicate well during your appointment tomorrow. ~Lorraine, <a href='http://parkinsonsdiseae.net' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>parkinsonsdiseae.net</a> moderator
1. andyharris Member
 Thank you Lorraine for your comments. I have since had an appointment with my neurologist and he has reassured that they will do all they can to help me. He did some motor tests on me and I was ok apart from he noticed some mirroring with the other hand whilst doing hand movement exercises. He is prescribing melatonin to me and is going to book me in for a dat-Scan. So I feel much better that some action is happening now. I’m still having some dream activity most weeks where I am shouting or screaming in my sleep (so my wife tells me who can hear me from her bedroom). So it’s just a matter of following the advice which is to take my medication every night, keep a sleep diary and not to worry about it, which I’m not any more! Thank you for your concern. Andy Harris
2. Lorraine Wilson Member
 I am happy to read of this progress! Lorraine, <a href='http://ParkinsonsDisease.net' target='_blank'>ParkinsonsDisease.net</a> moderator

Community Poll

Do you get mood swings?