Need advice for my father

[Sharon Nelson <snelson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Everyone--

About 3 years ago my dad, who is 74, began to have slight tremors in his
right hand.  They bothered him only occasionally but have gotten
progressively worse.  As time has passed, he has noticed other symptoms
which I understand  Parkinson's associated--like having unexplained body
ache similar to the flu, a general slowing down of movement such as
walking, eating; and a tilt forward when he is walking.

About 6 months ago he visited his general practitioner about the symptoms,
who did a brief exam, said the symptoms were likely attributed to
Parkinson's, but his advice was to let it go and see how it progresses.  He
said it wasn't appropriate to begin any treatment at this point, that it
should wait until the symptoms worsened.

I have read that sometimes beginning medication early can slow the
progression of the disease, but I'm not sure how to interpret this
information.

Can you give me any advice as to whether it is appropriate that Dad should
take a wait-and-see approach?

Would medication benefit him at this point?  He is definitely affected by
the disease, but he is functioning "OK".

I've suggested he see a specialist, but he wants to follow doctor's
instructions.  If he sees a specialist, is the best a neurologist?

Does anyone know a good specialist in the Columbia, Missouri area?

Thanks ever so much.
Sharon Nelson
Columbia Public Schools
Columbia Area Career Center
1500 Vandiver Dr., Suite 109
Columbia, MO  65202
Phone:  573-884-4074
FAX:    573-884-3665