diagnosis

is there a specific test that can be conducted in order to diagnose a patient with Parkinson?

[M_rosew]

If you live in UK and PD is suspected, your GP should refer you (immediately and untreated) to a Consultant Neurologist specialising in movement disorders.

Diagnosis is usually made by physical exam and history taking.

[arwenmark]

No there is not specific test. Diagnosis is done by history taking, and observing the patient.

[Xenos]

I had clinical testing, MRI, and DaTScan and even with that the neurologist told me that they will only know for sure after my autopsy.

Neurologist sense of humor, see ?

[Kia17 in reply to Xenos]

Did you have a positive DatScan Xenos?

[Xenos in reply to Kia17]

Yes... MRI negative, DatScan positive.

[Kia17 in reply to Xenos]

Sorry to ask, was it both sides or just one side affected?

[Xenos in reply to Kia17]

No problem Kia.

I'm affected in the left part of my body (ie Right part of the brain).

[Kia17 in reply to Xenos]

I have the same DatScan.Rt side affected so the symptoms are in the left side.

[lockington2 in reply to Xenos]

After the brain scan I was shown the results which quite clearly showed a depletion of something in the brain (sorry did not take specific notes). Was similarly told "autopsy needed to confirm"

Also told would not have been diagnosed as PD based on my outward physical symptoms - my doctor referred me to the PD specialist because all other explanations had been exhausted

[Hidden]

ı live in Turkey, my father had MR but ı dont know what a dat-scan is?

[Hidden]

ı had taken my father to two different neurologists...one had adviced my tather to take trivastal and the other had adviced him to take stalevo..my father has been on stalevo for three months but no signs of improvement in walking, or focus or memory ...ı now begin to wonder whether he is not responsive to stalevo and should have taken trivastal instead..anyone taking trivastal?

[Erniediaz1018]

I had a dat scan which gives you a diagnosis of Parkinson's or essential tremor when you have a history of certain symptoms. Does your father have tremor?

[Hidden in reply to Erniediaz1018]

thanks alot for this

[cb6403]

An EMG study will Identify certain barometers that will allow a good Neuro to say yes or no

NY Langone Medical Center Used that test to diagnose my PD.

[Hidden in reply to cb6403]

EMG ? Do u need to take radioative substance for this? I will google it I dont know about it..but thanks alot

[Hidden]

thanks laot for this

[dmscaine]

I had a DAT scan done to confirm a diagnosis of Parkinsons. At the time it showed it was confined to my right side (that was in 2014) now I'm showing symptoms on my left side. Both legs show stiffness and gets so bad I'm afraid to get in the shower for fear of falling.

[Jenzo]

I live in Canada and they did an MRI but then a movement disorder specialist saw me (a neurologist) and through history and a series of physical tests it was diagnosed. My original diagnosis years prior was essential tremor but when gait abnormalities, frozen shoulder, fatigue and worsening tremor manifested then an affirmative Parkinson's diagnosis. My neurologist said if you get better when taking ldopa (sinemet) it's pretty definitive.

[Kwinholt]

Hi. I’ve had PD for almost 5 years. Dr first thought it was MS because I couldn’t walk all of a sudden ( I’m an ultra runner too) so they did the X-rays , MRI ect that they do to look for MS all came back negative , no lesions . Neuron said he would like me to try these meds . Carbo/Levodopa and within 2 weeks was walking and running again. Dr said I had PD. I didn’t believe I wanted proof. Had a DAT scan done and there it was , clearly showed deficit on right side of brain which my left side was the side affected then . I asked to see a neurologist that specializes in PD and have the best dr ever now. I take 6 25/100 cd/ld a day sometimes more if I’m running more also 1 azilect in the morning and add Comtan during the day at times. I receive Botox injections on my left leg and foot every 3 months for the severe dystonia as well. So the DAT scan was my for sure test for the diagnosis but I’m not sure if it’s available for everyone or if that’s always the right one for everyone . Hope this helps . Karen

[Hidden in reply to Kwinholt]

Thanks ever so much for your kind reply, I dont know if a dat scan is availabile in this country though, thanks ever so much