HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Parkinsonism

Support Forums
>
Parkinson's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/7/2011 12:11 AM (GMT 0)

My husband was diagnosed with Parkinsonism today.

They are not saying it is actually Parkinson's but he

has several of the symptoms and we have witnessed

an increase as time goes on in symptoms and severity.

Any advice on how to get a more difinitive diagnosis or

should we accept that it's just a waiting game before we know?

Posted 1/7/2011 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
A619---

There is no test or cure for PD. The symptoms are treated. Give us more information. Symptoms? How long? Did he see a general neurologist or a movement disorder specialist? What medications was he given? Anything else.....

Dan
Posted 1/7/2011 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
I have Parkinsonism as opposed to actual PD. The neurologist calls it atypical symmetrical Parkinsonism. I am not sure of the precise distinction but at the end of the examination the doc asked how my concentation was, memory etc. I said it was unaffected and I feel my mind is getting better the older I get. The doc said that was the most important part of the diagnosis. He said that PD people are often affected as far as concentration etc but atypical PD have no problems with their mind.
The local doctor said the with normal PD the patient is very responsive to medication but with atypical patients are not as responsive.
As to the future...heavens knows!!!
Some people with Parkinsonism do not deteriorate as fast as those with actual PD.
Posted 1/8/2011 8:48 AM (GMT 0)

If it makes you feel  more comfortable (and it certainly would me) to have a second opinion, go for it. I would encourage you to seek a movement disorder specialist (MDS) - a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

 

As mentioned, there is no definitive test for Parkinson's - it's basically a process of elimination and then becomes a clinical diagnosis (meaning by observation - ex., arm doesn't swing as normal, gait not normal, etc).

 

I actually saw a neuro and 2 MDS. First two weren't sure - said could be Essential Tremor or PD - 3rd one was right-on. She has been my neuro/MDS since.

 

Best of luck to you!

Posted 1/9/2011 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys.

It helps to know there are others out there who are willing to share what they have learned about dealing with this disease. On further research we discovered that many times symptoms have been attributed to other conditions like his diabetes but I am confident we can go armed with a much better understanding of Parkinsonism and PD itself. I strongly suspect it is Parkinson's disease but we should get something more definative at the next neuro visit.

Any info is appreciated - knowledge is power!

Thanks again,

A619XOCHI 

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply