Not everyone with Parkinson's experiences the same symptoms. Moreover, the symptoms can appear slowly and in no particular order. They may affect one side of the body more than the other. It may be many years before symptoms progress to the point where they interfere with normal activities. About 60 percent of people with Parkinson's disease experience resting tremor.
Symptoms often begin with occasional trembling of one hand that gradually becomes constant.
The tremor can progress to the other hand, to the legs, and, occasionally, to the face. Stiffness and decreased manual dexterity can also occur. When people with Parkinson's walk, the arms might not swing as far as usual, and they may drag their legs or shuffle their feet. Handwriting and speech may also become difficult. For instance, speech may become softer or monotonic, making it difficult to understand.