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Hi, Kathy - Your neurologist is on the right track in sending you to a PD specialist - often referred to as a "movement disorder specialist." If you *are* diagnosed as having PD, one of the first things many list members will tell you is to find a movement disorder specialist and stay with him/her for treatment. >If you were me, what kinds of questions would you be asking? Do you think there's any danger of being mis-diagnosed? Ever hear of anybody who was? If you go to a movement disorder specialist, there's little chance you'll be mis-diagnosed. The more usual course is for PD to go unrecognized for many years, especially in an early-onset patient. Some doctors confuse PD with essential tremor, but a specialist won't have any difficulty telling the difference. The usual tests for PD are physical ones, not blood tests, MRIs, or the like. The neuro will be testing for "cogwheel" rigidity of your limbs, for one thing, and will ask you to rapidly open and close your fingers and so forth. If the tests indicate to the neuro that you show signs of PD, then you should be prepared to ask what the plan is for medication. Different doctors have different philosophies about how soon to start PD meds. Sinemet is considered the "gold standard" of PD meds, and a positive response to it is considered further evidence of PD. However, there are other medications that your doctor may prefer to prescribe first, depending on your level of need. Personally, knowing what I know now about PD, I'd want to know the doctor's philosophy about how much of a "partner" you'll be in your care. I'd ask specifically how he feels about your experimenting with slight alterations in dosage and frequency of meds. Bear in mind that the PD meds are there to help you function better and feel better. They're not going to cure anything, so if a dose of medication seems to be too much, and is making you feel worse, you should have the doctor's approval to try decreasing the dose or taking it less frequently. While you're new to this, I'm sure the doctor will want to know of any changes you feel you'd like to make, and would like to approve changes in advance. That only makes sense. As time goes on, though, you'll want a doctor who will trust your judgement as you titrate your meds to a comfortable level. That's my personal opinion, btw, and not necessarily the opinion of others on the list. However, it's one my husband's PD specialist agrees with. Once you see the specialist, feel free to write back to the list telling us the meds you've been prescribed, if any. At that point listmembers can be of more help to you. You should know, too, that the PD list has extensive archives on almost any topic, including tons of stuff on meds. You've come to exactly the right place for help in dealing with PD, if that is the diagnosis. There are many early-onset PWP (People with Parkinson's) on the list, and they will understand the issues that are specific to people who are still trying to work, perhaps raise a family, and deal with PD at the same time. This list is also the best source of information about PD, both the tried and true, and new developments. Congratulations of making such an empowering choice. The best of luck to you. Margie Swindler, cg (caregiver) for Dick, 55 (years of age)/18 (years since diagnosis)