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Finally an appointment with the Neuro

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Parkinson's Disease
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Posted 1/26/2010 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
I finally got a call this morning from the doc's office and my appointment with the neurologist is Feb 9th. I've been holding off on telling my family members my suspicions so as not to worry them without cause. Of course my hubby is aware. I hate withholding this from my family, but we lost my younger brother in Oct. and just don't want to cause concern if there is none. How did your family members handle the news of your PD?
Posted 1/27/2010 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Of course it depends on your family but when I told my family the reactions ranged from denial ("are you sure? That doesn't sound right. You're too young.") to great sympathy ("I am sorry-please let me know if I can do anything to support you."), to curiosity ("What are your symptoms? How can they tell? What does it mean for you?"), to ambivalence (very little response). I can say no one seemed devastated by the news although, since your family recently suffered the loss of your brother they may react more strongly. I should mention that, whileI am emotionally close to my family, they all live far away.

If you have not gotten a dx, you might wait because you find the doctor reluctant to make a diagnosis since PD cannot be dx'd using a blood test, etc. You might also consider not telling anyone you think will be pset until you either have a dx or at least the dr. is fairly certain you have a dx. Of course it's different for everyone so you have to decide what works for you.

Good luck.
Posted 1/27/2010 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Geetar, thanks so much for your advice. I'm thinking the same thing, that the doc may not dx right away, since my symptoms aren't yet severe. But of course, I know something's not right. I just need to know what it is. What I don't want is my mom calling everyother day to see if the "results" are in, and worrying until they are. Since PD is so hard to dx, all I may have to offer is a "probably, but will wait and see" for the family. There is one fam member that I've told, my step mom. She cared for my grandparents before they passed and I figured she'd know if anyone has had PD. And yes, my grandmother did. So we've kept the worrying down to one!

Thanks again for your feedback!
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