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Hi Kate MacGillivray <[log in to unmask]>, you wrote >My father has PD and my frustration with dealing with the medical >community Say no more! >My father is 83 years old. Although he has shown signs of PD for >many years, he was just recently referred to a neurologist for >confirmation of PD and prescribed Sinemet - 1/2 pill 3X daily >which he has taken since the end of Sept. >Since September he has >had rapid deterioration and was hospitalized on Dec. 7 because he was >too weak to stand and was very confused. >The major cause of my distress (other than the obvious sadness in >seeing my father incapacitated) is that his GP has failed to contact >Dad's neurologist .... told my mother that this is simply deterioration >caused by the >disease and that a change in medication would not help in Dad's case That IS possible, but I think you would do well to get a second opinion, and from a neurologist at that. >The GP cannot contact Dad's neurologist and seems >unwilling to discuss Dad's case with an alternate. That sounds like a traditional case of "I'm a doctor and I know what I'm doing. How dare you question my judgement?"!!! >2) Am I wrong in thinking that a change in Dad's medication could >help him somewhat. QUITE possibly. Even REDUCING it might help! >3) How is it possible for Dad to deteriorate so quickly? Well, if he has something like Parkinson's Plus or Multi-System Atrophy, then yes, deterioration COULD be that quick. But get a second opinion and SEE A NEUROLOGIST, NOW! You're paying the bills - you have a right to the appropriate treatment, whatever country you are in. >Could it be caused by his medication? YES, but you can't be sure until you have cross-checked. Good luck. -- Jeremy Browne - [log in to unmask] Shaking Hands BBS - +44 (0)1252 626233 - Fidonet 2:252/160