Finding a Doctor

[Victorialeandra]

Hi,
I am new to this forum but have been reading a lot. You all seem to be very informed. I really want to be proactive in my dad's treatment. I would like your advice on finding a good doctor for him. I have spent the last 5 years going to his neurologist with him and I am not impressed. He has been on the same meds for years and she seems to not be concerned about trying something new when he tells her his feelings on it. Any advice?

[ltd-addition]

http://www.bookofdoctors.com/tek9.asp?pg=search&category=22&location=all

I hope this helps
if you cut n paste into your browser or copy it (into top line of your computer ) Sorry if you think i'm treating you as a new computer user but i don't know your level of understanding, especially since i'm from the UK and we use different words at times than our over sea relatives.
Im a young onset parkers groupie so if you need me i'm available

[Pauline]

Hi Victoria
Could you go to your dad GP. and explain you are not confident in your current nurolgist would he recamend a differant one It is important that you have confidence in your nurolgist I know I didn't and that is why I am changing :):):)Pauline (Sorry about the spelling)

[Mary]

http://www.bookofdoctors.com/tek9.asp?pg=search&category=22&location=all

I hope this helps
if you cut n paste into your browser or copy it (into top line of your computer ) Sorry if you think i'm treating you as a new computer user but i don't know your level of understanding, especially since i'm from the UK and we use different words at times than our over sea relatives.
Im a young onset parkers groupie so if you need me i'm available
Hi ltd addition
I read this thinking "aren't they lucky in the USA to have the information so ready available ",then I realised you are in the UK .Do we have a similiar list for UK ? I am very happy with my specialist but I am concerned shortly I will hear the words " I am retiring"
Mary:):)

[Victorialeandra]

Hi Pauline,
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately my father goes to the VA Hospital in Portland for most of his care. He has a primary care provider there but his nerologist is outside the VA. I am uncomfortable with the care he gets from the VA as it is. I would like to find him another outside source. It just seems like I am reading about so many possible meds he could be on that could help him more then what he is on. Nothing new is ever mentioned when we go. I am growing more frustrated as time goes by so quickly. Dad's quality of life is so important to me.
Thanks

[Pauline]

Hi Pauline,
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately my father goes to the VA Hospital in Portland for most of his care. He has a primary care provider there but his nerologist is outside the VA. I am uncomfortable with the care he gets from the VA as it is. I would like to find him another outside source. It just seems like I am reading about so many possible meds he could be on that could help him more then what he is on. Nothing new is ever mentioned when we go. I am growing more frustrated as time goes by so quickly. Dad's quality of life is so important to me.
Thanks


Hi Victoria
I am sorry I can't be of more help , but I would like to say your Dad is very lucky to have you I know it can't be easy to be a care giver some times I think the lord new who to give PD. to if it was my hubby I am not sure if I could handle it I think the care givers are the stroung ones :when you take him to the Dr don't be afraid to ask questionsyou may think of things your dad may not think of I know when I go to the Dr I come out thinking of so many things I should have asked and unfortinatly my hubby (don't get me wrong he is good but he dosn't like to go to the Dr's. with me he is having trouble facing this mind you he is getting better . take care :):):)Pauline

[ltd-addition]

Hi ltd addition
I read this thinking "aren't they lucky in the USA to have the information so ready available ",then I realised you are in the UK .Do we have a similiar list for UK ? I am very happy with my specialist but I am concerned shortly I will hear the words " I am retiring"
Mary:):)

Mary if you email me Ive got a lot for Liverpool , Its a big list but if you look on my profile you will get my address and I'll send it to you

[mappergal]

Victoria, there is a place you can take your father to, the Parkinson Center of Oregon. Here is their web site--http://www.ohsu.edu/pco/contact.html.
They are located in Portland. Give them a call, get another opinion on your dad's treatment. I have not been there but I stumbled on their web site when I was first dx'd. Maybe they will take his insurance, it can't hurt to call and find out--especially since they are located where you live.
Good luck!
Liz

[Victorialeandra]

Thank you Liz. I have been on their website. I will try again. I called 2 times and no one returned my call. But now I see there are forms to fill out and send to them first. At this point it can't hurt. Maybe the squeaky wheel will get the grease.

[donnad]

Can anyone recommend a neurologist speciaizing in PD in the Chicago area? We are looking for a 2nd opinion and are looking to see someone as soon as possible. From all that we have investigated, we believe my sister does has PD but feel we should get a 2nd opinion just to be sure. We are also looking to switch doctors should the 2nd opinion prove to concur with the PD diagnosis. My sister's current neurologist doesn't seem to understand that newly diagnosed PD patients have lots of questions, fears, etc and get very depressed and frustrated when they have to wait months for appointments, etc.

[ltd-addition]

Can anyone recommend a neurologist speciaizing in PD in the Chicago area? We are looking for a 2nd opinion and are looking to see someone as soon as possible. From all that we have investigated, we believe my sister does has PD but feel we should get a 2nd opinion just to be sure. We are also looking to switch doctors should the 2nd opinion prove to concur with the PD diagnosis. My sister's current neurologist doesn't seem to understand that newly diagnosed PD patients have lots of questions, fears, etc and get very depressed and frustrated when they have to wait months for appointments, etc.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/parkinsonsdisease.html
try this link because the page contains a link on the right hand side for neurologists in the USA

Good luck

[ltd-addition]

This is a guide only so I hope it assists you

Since there is no specific test or marker for PD, diagnosis is by a physician and depends on the presence of at least two of the three major signs: tremor at rest, rigidity, and bradykinesia, as well as the absence of a secondary cause, such as antipsychotic medications or multiple small strokes in the regions of the brain controlling movement. Patients tend to be most aware of tremor and bradykinesia, and less so of rigidity.

To diagnose PD, the physician will perform a standard neurological examination, involving various simple tests of reactions, reflexes, and movements.

Bradykinesia is tested by determining how quickly the person can tap the finger and thumb together, or tap the foot up and down.
Tremor is determined by simple inspection.
The physician assesses rigidity by moving the neck, upper limbs, and lower limbs while the patient relaxes, feeling for resistance to movement.
Postural instability is tested with the "pull test," in which the examiner stands behind the patient and asks the patient to maintain their balance when pulled backwards. The examiner pulls back briskly to assess the patient's ability to recover, being careful to prevent the patient from falling.
The examination also involves recording a careful medical history, especially for exposure to medications that can block dopamine function in the brain. Several drugs with similar properties are also used for other purposes, and the physician inquires about medication their taking.
Several other disorders have certain features that are similar to those of PD, and are sometimes mistaken for PD. These include:

Essential tremor, in which tremor is the only symptom
Progressive supranuclear palsy, characterized by inability to look downward
Multiple system atrophy, characterized by early and prominent autonomic symptoms
Vascular (related to blood vessels) parkinsonism, caused by multiple small strokes
Poisoning by carbon monoxide, manganese, or certain pesticides