questions - Parkinson's Disease Message Board

dravenkane · 05-24-2003, 04:27 PM

i have some questions. my wifes grandfather has parkinsons. they have him on medication, but nothing they do seems to help. he was just in the hospital for observation. they changed his meds and were watching to make sure he takes them. well, he fell asleep and missed his last dose. he didn't shake for 2 days after that. the doctors can't say why. i was wondering if this is a normal thing with parinsons. also do to this the family is doubting that it is parkinson's. he is a vietnam vet. he worked as a nurse so he was exposed to all sorts of things includeing agent orange and the like. the family thinks that it maybe this. i however haven't found anything supporting this. if someone can help me out with some answers or send me in the right direction to find them i would greatly appreciate it.

thanks.

Googy · 05-24-2003, 07:52 PM

You need to take him to a Movement Disorder Specialist.They will know if it is PD.

Good Luck,

Googy

Bruce · 05-25-2003, 06:05 PM

Googy is right, only a movement disorder specialist would have the experience to diagnose him.Their is a wide variety of movement disorders that resemble parkinsons, and i have some doubts h really has typical pd.

A typical pd patient responds well to the usual drugs such as Sinemet, Comtan, Mirapex or requip and typically has worse symptoms (off period) when off the meds.

Bruce

Pelicangirl · 05-26-2003, 03:54 PM

Hi, Listen to Bruce and Googy, take him to a Movement disorder specialist. You won't regret it and he/she may be able to diagnose just what it is, even if it's not Parkinson's. It's better to know than to not know, even if it's something serious. At least you know what you are dealing with.

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Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)

dravenkane · 05-27-2003, 07:22 AM

thanks fo all the help. i let the family know all of this. they are looking into some speacialist. hopefully they can figure this all out. thanks