Re: incorrect diagnosis of PD?

[Robert Fink <rafink@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

You wrote:

>
>Hello all--
>  I have written several times on behalf of my mother who was diagnosed
with
>PD about 1.5 years ago. Until recently we have had no reason to
question that
>diagnosis as her symptoms appeared to be classic PD. But for several
reasons,
>we are now questioning that diagnosis. I am hoping that perhaps some
people
>in this group are familiar with parkinson look-alikes, i.e. other
problems
>that cause PD-like symptoms. Our first reason for suspiscion is that
Sinemet
>seems to have no effect whatsoever on her. There is no on/off. She
can't tell
>the difference between when she has taken it and when she hasn't. In
fact,
>she has gotten worse over the last six months (since starting Sinemet)
than
>she did in the whole first year since diagnosis.
>  Our second reason for questioning the diagnosis is that PD typically
>progresses rather slowly. It was a slow progression for my mom at first
but
>recently it has changed so dramatically that I could see a difference
in her
>in a matter of *days*. Two weeks ago, she was playing tennis, had a
strong
>clear voice, could drive a car and keep up with most normal activities.
Now,
>she cannot retain her balance to walk around the house without falling.
Her
>speaking is very slow. She appears to be intensely uncomfortable and
does
>not wish to discuss the problems she is having.
>  It is as if her PD has progressed five years over a period of five
days.
>In all my reading on PD I have never heard of such a rapid change in
someone
>except if they have experienced some sort of traumatic event, which she
>hasn't. We are really at a loss. We are also looking for a new
neurologist,
>one who has more experience with PD. If anyone has any ideas about what
is
>going on here, I would love to hear them. I have really been enjoying
this
>group and am learning a lot. Keep up the good work.
>
>   --Ann Strozewski
>
>

Ann:  Please e-mail me with your mother's full set of symptoms, the
length of time that she has had them, etc.  Maybe I can be of some help.

Best,

Bob

--
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Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S.   Phone: 510-849-2555
Neurological Surgery              FAX:  510-849-2557
2500 Milvia Street  Suite 222
Berkeley, California 94704-2636
USA

E-Mail:  rafink@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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America Online:  BobFink          "Ex Tristitia Virtus"

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