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Hi all:

Well, visit number one to the neurologist was not very informative.  My MRI
results were negative (just a cyst on sinus) and the neurologist had not
seen the results of my blood work.  He asked many questions about symptoms
and I explained family history (maternal grandfather with Parkinson's,
maternal grandmother and mother both borderline diabetics).

After a thorough exam (except no one took my blood pressure), which included
walking back and forth, walking on toes, walking on heels, walking by
placing one foot in front of the other heel-to-toe (almost fell here) and
some other things like trying to push me forward and backward (almost fell
here too) and sticking me with a safety pin, my wife and I got to sit and
discuss the results of the exam for about 10 minutes.

The doctor essentially said that everyone has a tremor of some sort, and
that in some people it is more pronounced than in others.  He said that I
did not seem to have clear signs of Parkinson's now, but he couldn't
guarantee that I wouldn't develop it in the future (sounded like a weather
forecaster).  I have Crohn's Disease (10+ yrs) and he suggested that the
tremor I have may be related to neuropathy that might be connected to the
Crohn's.  My unanswered question is this - if it is neuropathy due to
Crohn's, then why does it only occur on the left side?

It takes me an hour to write an email due to poor coordination and tremor in
my left hand and fingers.  The only reason it doesn't show in my email is
due to the fact that I am a perfectionist and keep typing and retyping and
use the spell checker many times.

With our HMO, we go to a primary physician, who then refers us to a specific
specialist.  How can we tell if the neurologist knows anything about
Parkinson's?  I would really like some advise from others in the group about
finding the best doctor who can give me an accurate answer.  Or are the very
early symptoms too subtle to easily distinguish from other potential
problems?  Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Stephen Duff
[log in to unmask]
(609)829-0442 or
(609)829-2910