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Phil Tompkins I have been under my gp's care for the last three years, and quite satisfactorily; thanks to information available from the internet, primarily. I had rather unsatisfactory treatment from my neurologist and withdrew from his treatment. It goes without saying that you must have an accommodating gp. Aloha, Leo Fleming > From: Phil Tompkins <[log in to unmask]> > Reply-To: "Parkinson's Information Exchange Network" > <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 06:00:20 +0000 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Neuro or family physician/internist for PD? Was: Constipation > > On 29 May 00, at 12:27, Camilla Flintermann wrote: > >> I agree with the philosophy here, but have to say that not all >> neuros will be helpful re: constipation---some feel it's not their >> "department", sad to say. .... > > PD affects parts of the body that neuros don't necessarily deal > with, constipation as mentioned already, muscular aches and > pains being another. Just as some aspects may be seem > specialized for the internist, so others may be too general for the > specialist. > > I don't like the idea of having different parts of me treated by > different docs when one doc might do. You can end up with > something nobody wants to claim responsibility for, and no one > has the big picture. The way medical care is envisioned, e.g., a > primary physician refers you to a specialist, who in theory is > supposed to confer with and report back to the primary on your > condition, doesn't necessarily happen in practice. Or the patient > may be the channel of communication. And you have to make two > appointments and visits and pay for two doctors in order to see one > of them. Not to mention that the nearest PD/movement disorder > specialist can be over an hour's drive away and has no available > appointments over the next three months! > > I've been treated for PD by a movement disorder specialist almost > from the beginning. My PD was not hard to diagnose, and it has > been progressing slowly and predictably. It's a fairly "routine" > case, if anyone's PD can said to be. So I don't see why a family > physician with PD experience can't handle it. Some family > physicians treat PD, and, I would think, do an OK job at it. I've > recently moved and am looking for such a physician. > > Has anyone had good experience being treated for PD by a family > physician or internist? Anyone have thoughts on this question? > > Phil Tompkins > Amherst MA > age 62/dx 1990 >