Movement Disorder Specialists? - Parkinson's Disease Message Board

jennifer44 · 07-15-2003, 02:37 PM

My father is 75 years old now and was diagnosed with PD approximately 7 years ago. He is currently taking Sinemet and Comtan for PD. He goes to his neurologist about every other month. She has only ever prescribed medication but no physical therapy or anything else. I've seen others mention movement disorder specialists on this board. What exactly is a movement disorder specialist?

The first symptoms we noticed in my dad were depression and stiffening of the muscles so that he walked slower and with more of a shuffle. He is now getting more and more forgetful and is having more problems moving and doing every day types of things like shaving. He can still do these things but it takes him 3 or 4 times longer to do them than before. Me and the rest of my family are having the hardest time seeing the progression of this disease in my dad. He was always a VERY social and active person and now he will actually avoid social situations and family functions. I've taken him for a session of massage therapy because he experiences pain in the muscles of his neck and back. That helped him somewhat but I'm wondering if anyone else has any suggestions for things that might help him. I'm looking for anything....medicines, alternative therapies, movement disorder specialists?...that may help him. I realize that this is a progressive disease and that there may not be anything else that can be done for now but I just can't give up. I so badly want to be able to help him and make him feel better.

Thank you so much for listening and for any suggestions anyone may have.

Thank you!!!!

Jennifer

Bruce · 07-15-2003, 04:47 PM

A movement disorder specialist is a neurologist with extra training and education in movement disorders auch as pd or essentil tremor. They see only patients with movemnt disorders and are most commonly found at university medical centers. Their is a big difference in the expertise of a MDS and a general neurologist.

I went through several neurologists before ending up with a MDS at Indiana University med. center. The MDS may see pd or pd related patients all day, every day.

I have a tolerable amount of pain in the left shoulder. It improves through out the day as my muscles loosen up. I choose not to take any drugs for it, because of possible side effects, and i am not sure drugs would relieve the pain.

Your compassion should be appreciated, as i am sure it is.

Sorry i don't have a better answer for you, but sometimes we might have to live with some discomfort.

Bruce

jennifer44 · 07-20-2003, 03:40 PM

Thank you very much for the information Bruce. We have found a movement disorder specialist in our area. Hopefully, they will be able to give my dad some more information and suggestions as to what may help. My mom is going to call to make an appointment for him.

Thanks so much!