Is there a test for PD? - Parkinson's Disease Message Board

tagger · 06-26-2003, 08:19 AM

My Dad (80 yrs old) was advised the other day that he may be showing early signs of Pd. Here is what we know:
-his Dad had it
-he walks stooped over at the waist
-his feet are numb (this could however be from scar tissue as he had spinal menningitis as a teen)
-his hands often tremble
-after an active and vital lifestyle he is now always tired and has naps (just old age?)(symptom of his angina?)
-he often has "seizures" that we thought were from the angina or scar tissue. He starts shaking and then passes out for a short while or becomes disoriented.
He is scheduled for a test with a neurologist. I'm wondering though if there is a definitive test for PD or does the doc just go by the symptoms. This has been a real blow to him, seems to have aged him 10 years overnight just thinking about it. He refuses to talk about it. We are worried sick. He has always been a real go getter and mentally speaking there couldn't be a worse diagnosis for him...to have to slowly become worse and worse.
My real question then is re the diagnosis. Is there a test?....Tagger

Bruce · 06-26-2003, 09:47 AM

Tagger, their is a test for pd, but Dr. Leiberman, the director of the NPF, says he rarely needs the test to diagnose pd. It is called a pet scan, and it measures the metabolism of the dopamine producing neurons. The scanner costs several million dollars and their are only about 100 centers that can do the test, and it is mainly used for research. So the odds are you won't be able to get the test.

Part of the workup, ia to do an mri, which will rule out any tumors. An experienced movement disorder specialist can detect many symptoms that you may not be aware of and can diagnose your father by various physical tests.

Here are some symptoms to look for, don't swing arms when walking, walks with short, shuffling steps, one side weaker than the other side, tiny, illegible handwritting, tires easily, constipation, dry eyes (don't blink often enough), poor balance, senitive to high or low temperatures, poor dexterity.

Life doesn't stop if your father. I have had pd for twelve years, and i planted six raised garden plots this year. I am slow, but it doesn't matter how long it takes, but getting it done is the goal. I am 65 years old and although i can't walk very far, i take care of myself and get around just fine on an electric scooter.

Bruce

tagger · 06-27-2003, 11:03 PM

Thanks for answering Bruce. Most of the symptoms you mention do apply to my Dad. I guess the problem is that there's so much going on with him and so many meds that it's hard to sort through it all. I'm sure quite a few of these symptoms could be from his other problems: angina, high cholestrol, scar tissue from teen years spinal menningitis or broken leg last year (1 plate, 6 pins and STILL very swollen after almost a year)
Dad's always been a proud man, nothing could stop him. It seems like he's super aging overnight. Mentally he seems to have resigned himself from life.
I have a friend who has PD (started much younger, about mid 40's). He has a specialy trained dog to help him. Very intriguing.
I hope Dad can get an answer soon or he'll just give up. It's very hard on my Mom as she is use to him being so vital. I can tell she is worried about caregiving as she suffers from osteo arthritis and if he becomes wheelchair bound she will suffer too. I know I'm jumping the gun here, all the "what ifs". I almost wish the GP hadn't have said anything before the neurologist appt.
Maybe I'm working myself into a state for nothing. I love him so much and don't want to see him suffer. (most of the suffering would be the blow to his pride)

You sound like you've coped really well and sound pretty upbeat. I admire you for that. Dad though is 15 yrs older than you and not in great shape right now to begin with!

Thanks so much for caring to take the time to answer me. Hope you don't mind my dumping all my worries on you! Keep up with your good work and be well....Thanks...Tagger

Bruce · 06-28-2003, 12:27 PM

Tagger, i can understand your concern and your dad is lucky to have a son like you.

The thing about pd is we are all unique. We have our own set of symptoms and we all progress at a different rate. My problem with not being able to walk is not caused by pd, but by arthritis in both knees. It's like aging, the vhanges happen so slowly we just adjust our life style to cope with the symptoms.

Depression is common among pd people and is frequently the first hint that people have pd. I still think of the stress and depresion I had just before i was forced to retire. I thought my pd was my big secret when i was working, but i later learned everyone already knew.

Your dad will make the adjustment sooner or later. If he appears to be depressed and doesn't improve, that is treatable.

If he has pd, and not taking pd drugs, you are assumming he won't get any better. If he starts the medication, most people dramatically improve. Of course, everyone has to gradually increase the doses. If fact, a good response to the pd drugs confirms the diagnosis.

If i had a choice, i would rather not have pd, but i simply find ways of coping with it. These raised garden plots did wonders for my attitude. I can even lift a 40 pound bag of topsoil, but i managed to unload more then 100 bags. Every plot is looking great and i did most of it sitting on a scooter.

Bruce

tagger · 07-02-2003, 10:10 PM

Hi Bruce,

Good for you! You have a very good outlook. Thanks for the encouragement...Tagger