DaTscan to confirm diagnosis of Parkinson's

[baz]

This is of course completely OT and not boat related. However, it does affect our boating adventures.

My wife Gill was diagnosed with Parkinson's (PD) several years ago. However, she does not have the tremor activity but rather a motion disorder. I'm not convinced she does in fact have Parkinson's. I've discussed this with Gill's PD doctor and the upshot was that Gill should consider having a DaTscan to help with the diagnosis.

My concern is that Gill consumes a bunch of different medicines at various precise times each day and her mood/pain/dizziness/nausea/motion/muscle-stiffness goes up and down. The PD doctor is trying to space the medicine so that the ups and downs become level... and after 3 years this has not been achieved. If it can be determined Gill does not have PD then I would hope some of the PD-related medicines she takes can be stopped and maybe her ups and downs will reduce and even go away.

I post this here knowing that many Tugnuts are getting on in age and even though the PD can affect younger people as well, it's older people that more than likely suffer with PD or severe motion disorders.

Gill has decided to have the DaTscan on Sep 18 at the University of Washington medical center (Seattle). It appears to be a lengthy process and will consume most of the day.

So, if any of you have any good advice on the benefits of the DaTscan I'm all ears... and thanks for your time responding in advance.

 

[Levitation]

The DaT scan uses a low level radioactive isotope for a scan in a single photon emission computed tomography scanner. (SPECT)
It has been approved in this country for about 2 years. It started in Europe.
It is used to measure (crudely) the amount of Dopamine in the brain.
The results of a DaTscan can be used to help rule out other diseases with similar symptoms. Essential tremor is one.
There are other diseases like - multiple system atrophy (MSA) - and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) - which also produce a loss of dopamine in the brain.
These patients early in the course of their disease can be very challenging diagnostically.
A DaTscan will NOT differentiate between those diseases and Parkinson's.
(If it won't make the diagnosis, why are we doing it - a parenthetical question)

I am concerned about your description of what seems like severe drug side effects. It appears (from a distance) that someone is throwing handfuls of drugs at the wall in hopes that one or two will stick. (not criticizing your doc, just an observation)
While I know how I would approach your wife's issues - after 40 years of practice I have a lot of bad habits - I am a brain dead GP who can barely walk and chew gum simultaneously.
Best you take her to a new neurologist - someone old, grey, and wily.

 

[Longbranch Louie]

If PD is ruled out and you live in an area where Lyme disease is active you might look into Lyme as a cause. The CDC just changed its estimated cases from 30,000 to 300,000 new cases a year. It is a tick born disease that mimics many other nervous disorder diseases. Its symptoms fluctuate and can vary with each flare up. There is also a lot of varying medical opinion on how to properly test for it and how it should be treated. Its a disease that has not received the attention that it should and it affects many unsuspecting victims. There is a lot of info on the web and one documentary has been made that as I recall is titled "under our skin"?? Symptoms vary largely but include things such as facial numbness, arthritis like pain, loss of motion, extremity numbness, tickling and burning, confusion and many more. It is probably one of the misdiagnosed diseases out there in my opinion and many people suffer for years not knowing this is the cause.
For those who have active outdoor life styles in areas where there are deer, they should be aware of Lyme.

 

[baz]

Yes... I also recently heard a report on Lyme disease symptoms and was astonished at how similar they were to Gill's symptoms. When I mentioned it to Gill she was annoyed with me... saying "no way...". I said I might just mention it to her PD doctor and she said... "if you do she may not allow you back into the office with me..."... said with a grin on her face. :?

PM me if you wish to send other related info... and thanks.

Gill's PD doctor has said it's possible to take Gill off her medicines, but must be done slowly, and it has been done with other patients.

I'm wondering if the medicines are causing more issues than they claim to solve, and will not know this unless Gill withdraws from her medicines. Gill and her PD doctor have to make this decision, and so far Gill is very reluctant about doing this.

Nine months ago I setup/enrolled with a local Athletic club membership (fully paid for under our Med Ins Plan F with Humana/Silver-Sneakers) and want Gill to use their heated swim pool for some exercise and relaxation. She's been ordering tons of swim suits online for past 9 months (scores of them) but none have met her approval, and I have to return them all. I've said, just use a nice T-shirt and shorts and lets go. 😉