Thank You Charlie,
I think that makes good sense.  And, I did forget to tell you that they want me to come in on
my meds.  I was a bit suprised at  that but I guess they know what they are doing.  I also
believe that this Dr. is fairly young, her nurse told me that she has 18 month old twin boys
so she couldn't be very old.  I must say that if I had my druthers, I would not have PD but I
want to be accurately diagnosed and know what I am dealing with.  Thanks again for your
advice.
Jennifer

Charles T. Meyer, M.D. wrote:

> Jennifer and Kathrynne,
>
> I fall somewhere in between  on this one.  There certainly are  MD's who
> prejudge people who have a psychiatric history. Some  will also assume a
> patient who they can't diagnose automatically warrants a psychiatric
> diagnosis  which actually happened to me in the process of being
> diagnosed with PD.
>
> Jennifer,  I would suggest not hiding the psych hospitalization but not
> emphasizing it either.  We had corresponded off list and I know you were
> under unbelievable stress at the time of the hospitalization.  I would
> emphasize that in the discussion of your psychiatric history with the
> neurologist.  Usually if there is a bias most  MDs even those who have
> difficulty in dealing with people who have history of psychiatric
> illness tend to accept the patient better if the problem is clearly
> related to stress.  Also the bias that I am talking about tends to be
> much less  prevalent than years ago- especially with younger physicians.
>
> So I would not hold anything back but don't emphasize it or get
> defensive about it either.  Any experienced movement disorder specialist
> has seen a lot of patients who have been misdiagnosed with psychiatric
> problems and will likely not make the assumption without a good reason-
> especially at a quality place like Emery.
>
> Good luck and keep us informed of what happens.  (Also-  did you find
> out whether they want you off medications prior to the visit?  I presume
> that they would.)
>
> Charlie
>
> "Kathrynne Holden, MS,RD" wrote:
> >
> > Dear Jennifer,
> > You've been through a horrendous experience, and I can understand your
> > pain and confusion, with such conflicting experiences from your
> > physicians. Although it might be necessary to try some different
> > treatments and medications in order to arrive at a diagnosis, I am very
> > surprised that a movement disorders specialist, knowing that Sinemet
> > improved your symptoms, would conclude it was "all in your head."
> >
> > > Anyway,  my question is this.  I
> > > am seeing a parkinson's specialist at Emory Univ. in about a week.
> >
> > Although I've not been to Emory, I have heard two PD specialists,
> > associated with Emory, speak at PD symposium, and both were very
> > knowledgeable. I hope you'll get the proper treatment there. Is there
> > any chance that a relative, friend, or significant other could come with
> > you and back you up in your assertions of past experiences? Sometimes
> > having reinforcements can help a lot.
> >
> > I do feel, in general, that it's best for physicians to have complete
> > information, in order to give the best possible diagnosis/treatment.
> > Charlie? Bob Fink? Any thoughts here?
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Kathrynne
> >
> > --
> > Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD
> > "Nutrition you can live with!"
> > Medical nutrition therapy
> > http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/
> > Tel: 970-493-6532 // Fax: 970-493-6538
> > "If we knew what it was we were doing,
> > it would not be called research,
> > would it?" -Albert Einstein
>
> --
> ******************************************************************************************
> Charles T. Meyer,  M.D.
> Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin
> [log in to unmask]
> ******************************************************************************************