From Running Injury to Parkinson's: A Young Mother's Diagnosis Journey
When Jessica Krauser first noticed stiffness in her leg in 2017, she attributed it to her rigorous half-marathon training regimen. However, this was merely the beginning of a series of subtle yet persistent symptoms that would ultimately lead to a life-altering diagnosis. While reading at her local church, she struggled to hold papers steady, and during work meetings, a hand tremor became increasingly noticeable. "My kids would always notice it and ask if I was nervous or scared, but I wasn't, and thought it was just stress," recalls Jessica, now 44 and residing in Columbus, Ohio. "Many nights someone would have to rub my calf muscle because it felt like there was a tight knot that I just couldn't get out."
The Path to Diagnosis
As everyday tasks like typing and cooking grew more challenging, with one foot starting to drag and cold temperatures triggering uncontrollable shaking, Jessica realized she needed medical insight. During a routine visit to her gynecologist, she casually mentioned her symptoms and was advised to consult a neurologist. "I didn't connect shaking to neurology," she admits. "I was also 35 at that point, and I was thinking 'why in the world would I need to see a neurologist?'" However, after a family holiday where she couldn't sit still at dinner due to her body being "all over the place," she booked an appointment with a movement disorder specialist. In 2019, two years after her initial symptoms emerged, Jessica was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at just 37 years old.
Being diagnosed at such a young age—far below the typical onset around 60—proved incredibly alienating for Jessica. "For me, it was a lonely, hopeless feeling that was just as crippling as the disease can be itself," she reflects. "That's why finding your community and support system is so important." This isolation was compounded by the invisibility of some symptoms, such as the leg stiffness she had initially blamed on exercise. "My Parkinson's isn't always something people can see," she explains. "It was constant and something only I could feel. People tend to think of Parkinson's as just shaking, but it presents itself in many ways, depending on the person."
Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
According to medical resources, Parkinson's symptoms vary widely among individuals but commonly include:
- Tremors
- Rigidity or stiffness
- Slowness of movement
- Sleep problems
- Pain
Additional physical symptoms noted by health authorities encompass:
- Problems with balance
- Changes to sense of smell
- Issues with toilet use
- Sexual difficulties, such as erectile dysfunction in men or arousal problems in women
- Dizziness and fainting
- Intense sweating
- Swallowing difficulties or excessive saliva production
Finding Community and Treatment
Seven years post-diagnosis, Jessica has built a supportive network through her podcast, The Secret Life of Parkinson's, connecting with others who share her experience. These conversations have guided her toward exploring advanced treatments, including Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), often described as a "pacemaker for the brain." This innovative therapy involves implanting a device that delivers electrical currents to brain regions controlling movement, helping modulate signals that cause Parkinson's symptoms. Since July 2025, after successful surgery, Jessica has been receiving DBS, which adjusts stimulation automatically based on her needs.
Dr. Richard Rammo, a neurosurgeon at Cleveland Clinic, explains that DBS is typically considered when initial medications lose effectiveness. "Most people with Parkinson's see initial improvement from medications, but for patients like Jessica, some may go on to develop dyskinesia or notice symptom control becomes less consistent over time," he states. Following her surgery, Jessica underwent programming sessions to optimize the stimulation. After her third session, she experienced significant relief: her legs no longer felt heavy while walking, and the tightness that disrupted her sleep vanished. "I found myself just lying in bed in the morning because it felt so nice not to be stiff anymore," she shares.
Life After Treatment
Jessica emphasizes the transformative impact of DBS on her daily life. "Before deep brain stimulation, I was either feeling my symptoms, or I was dyskinetic. Something was always going on, and I was constantly thinking about it," she says. "Now, my symptoms are so well controlled, I wake up every morning and don't have to think about Parkinson's. I'm able to focus on other things, like my family and friends." While DBS does not halt Parkinson's progression, it has reduced her medication needs and provided better symptom management, allowing her to reclaim her role as a mother and engage more fully in life.
