My "movement specialist" neurologist who has my case at Kaiser (at least for all the Parkinson's related diagnoses and treatment) has suggested that we meet twice per year unless there has been no change in my condition. Six months ago, he suggested that I can merely call and cancel the appointment if called for.
I felt my walking problems have been getting much worse each day such that I can no longer walk with no assistance or with a cane alone. However, according to my doctor, there have been no significant changes since my last appointmentve
Did you ask what he had expected to see? It seems to me that if your walkling is worse and your movementis getting slower to the point you can no longer do an activity (Meals on Wheels) then there has definitely been a change!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
The way I understood it, there was clinically no change. The doctor couldn’t see significant change in the way I walked down the clinic hall. I did walk about the best I’ve walked since the last appointment. Any problem that I described to the doctor was explained as a physical therapy problem or lack of confidence in my step so that I can’t “keep up” with my intentional steps.
ReplyDeleteFrom his description of possible problems and medications, I get the distinct feeling that the doctor wishes he had some drugs that worked on gait issues. Since he doesn’t, he doesn’t really see gait issues as part of the Parkinson’s issues.
So if there is no therapy it is not a problem?? Gracious! Did he test your leg movement to see if you could switch from the gas pedal to the brake pedal quickly? Hand controls are not meds, but they work!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
It does sound a little silly doesn't it? He did about a five minute examination of my reflexes and muscle tone. That and my 40 foot walk was what he based his "condition stable" diagnosis on. I probably should look into hand controls although I don't think I have a problem there yet.
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