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Thank You Charlie, I think that makes good sense. And, I did forget to tell you that they want me to come in on my meds. I was a bit suprised at that but I guess they know what they are doing. I also believe that this Dr. is fairly young, her nurse told me that she has 18 month old twin boys so she couldn't be very old. I must say that if I had my druthers, I would not have PD but I want to be accurately diagnosed and know what I am dealing with. Thanks again for your advice. Jennifer Charles T. Meyer, M.D. wrote: > 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] > ******************************************************************************************