Hello Again Julian & Emily and A Good Day to All,

Paul, Juanita and others have advised you seek out a Neuro
who is a Movement Disorder Specialist...

I too recommend people with Parkinson's attend a Movement
Disorder Center and see a Movement Disorder Specialist...
preferably one with a primary focus on Parkinson's...

I was misdiagnosed about 3 - 4 years after first symptoms and
thought I was early stages of MS but that was later ruled out and
I went several more years until symptoms progressed to the point
my wife and a dance instructor decided I had Parkinson's.  I went
to a neurologist and he took months to confirm.  Then I switched
neuros and went to a Parkinson Specialist at a Movement Disorder
Centre and he confirmed Parkinson's in minutes.

A Parkinson's Specialist = MDS = Movement Disorder Specialist...

Say What????  Who are these people, what do they do, and
where do you find them????

A MOVEMENT DISORDER SPECIALIST ...  essentially this is a
Neurologist who specializes in one or more movement disorders...
and in our case... Parkinson's!

They may have private practices but, in larger centres, are often
associated with MOVEMENT DISORDER CENTERS...

Here is *text* I yanked offa the WWWeb... re: Movement Disorder
Centers...

The Clinic's mission is to offer optimal treatment to those suffering
from movement disorders, with the help of a multidisciplinary team
composed of a neurologist, two nurses and a neuropsychologist.

Movement disorders encountered at the Clinic include Parkinson's
disease, etc.

Close collaboration with other health professionals such as a
neurosurgeon, a brain imaging specialist and a psychiatrist has
made possible a more effective multidisciplinary approach. We
also work with occupational and physiotherapists, social workers,
psychologists, urologists, dieticians, exercise and support groups,
and the private and public CLSCs) home care sectors.

These services may be available to clients upon referral by the
neurologist.
http://www.mcgill.ca/mcsa/clinic_dis.htm

I was unaware that there were Movement Disorder Centers and
Movement Disorder Specialists until Parkinson's came to my
house...

My neuro... (Movement Disorder Center at UBC)
http://www.cmdg.org/list__of_members/Stoessl/stoessl.htm

Now... Where do YOU find a Movement Disorder Centre?

The Canadian Movement Disorder Group Is an affiliate group
of the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences (CCNS)
This site is a starting point for people with movement disorders
and their care-givers to access information about different
movement disorders. It also provides information about
national and regional resources.
http://www.cmdg.org/

One of the best in Toronto is Dr. Anthony E. Lang.  He is
internationally-respected both for his clinical care of patients
as well as his research.  He can be reached at:

Toronto Western Hospital
Division of Neurology
399 Bathurst Street
Eleventh Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8
(416) 603-6422

Check this webpage and you will see that Dr. Lang
has many team members looking after patient needs.
http://www.cmdg.org/list__of_members/Lang/lang.htm

Dr. Andres M. Lozano is a highly respected neurosurgeon
http://www.cmdg.org/list__of_members/Lozano/lozano.htm

This list is a fabulous resource and we're here to support each
other.

Another very helpful and informative group are the
Parkinson's Foundations.

Canada? Check with Parkinson's Society Canada
http://www.parkinson.ca/

Ontario? Check the Ontario Regional Offices

Central & Northern Ontario Region
Parkinson Society Canada
4211 Yonge Street
Suite 316
Toronto, ON M2P 2A9
Ph: (416) 227-9700
Ph: (800) 565-3000 -Toll Free National
Fx: (416) 227-9600
Contact: Alywn Robertson
Executive Director
Email: [log in to unmask]

South Western Ontario Region
Parkinson Society Canada
Meadowbrook Business Park
London, ON N6L 1G5
Ph: (519) 652-9437
Ph: (888) 851-7376 – Ontario only
Fx: (519) 652-9267
Contact: Carolyn Conners
Executive Director
Email: [log in to unmask]

Ontario Regional Partner
Parkinson’s Society of Ottawa-Carleton
1053 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9
(613) 722-9238 phone
(613) 722-3241 fax
Contact: Ruth Vant
Email: [log in to unmask]
web page:
http://www.parkinsons.ca

For all my friends in the U.S.

The National Parkinson's Foundation
http://www.parkinson.org/

Parkinson's Disease Foundation Inc.
http://www.pdf.org/index.cfm

Information & Referral Centers & Services Locations
http://www.apdaparkinson.com/ictr3.htm

The APDA and SmithKline Beecham have established SB
CareLink, a toll-free hotline  that connects you to the closest
Information and Referral Center to you.  Call 888-400-2732.

Choosing a doctor?  Make an Informed choice... (AMA)

In addition to putting out a list of "Top Doctors," the Center
for Study of Services is advising patients to take the
following steps when choosing their physicians:

* Select a primary care doctor to coordinate your care.
* Give preference to board-certified doctors.
* Check on doctors' credentials through the Web sites
  of the AMA or the American Board of Medical Specialties.
* Try to choose a doctor who has teaching responsibilities
  at a hospital.
* Choose a doctor who has admitting privileges at high-quality
  hospitals.
* Consider selecting a doctor who practices in a group.
* Ask about a doctor's policies on giving advice by telephone.
http://www.ama-assn.org/sci-pubs/amnews/pick_99/prfa1115.htm

Newly Diagnosed With PD? (UK)
http://spring.parkinsons.org.uk/spnewly.htm

Newly Diagnosed (Canada)
http://www.parkinson.ca/pd/nd.html

And here's what to expect
from your movement disorder specialist.

Basic Clinical Skills - The Neurologic Examination
(scroll through to see what the neuro is doing...)
http://www.medinfo.ufl.edu/year1/bcs/clist/neuro.html

The Complete Neurological Examination
http://www.medinfo.ufl.edu/year2/neuro/neuroexam/neuroexm.html

How to be a Power Patient at Next Doctor Visit
http://www.seniorworld.com/articles/a19990719090701.html

Key Questions Checklist
http://www.peiapathways.com/lvminter/selfcare/keyquest.htm

Questions to Ask About Medications
http://www.peiapathways.com/lvminter/selfcare/question.htm

You will probably find it very beneficial to change your lifestyle
to include routine stretching and exercise.  If you attend a
Movement Disorder Specialist there will likely be team
members who are physiotherapists. At the very least they
will be able to refer you to someone schooled in Exercise
Therapy as related to the Parkinson's patient.

I'm runnin' off at the mouth like a "soup sandwich"....

The foregoing should be a pretty good start...

Cheers ....... murray

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