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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] ******************************************************************************************