Living with Parkinson's Disease - Meet others & come say hi

As an 80 year old with 1 year diagnosis of PD who has been putting off possible "roto-rooter" for enlarged prostate, during my recent visit to my urologist I got vibes that he thinks PD patients do not do well with that treatment which would likely be successful and routine for non-PD patients. Can anyone talk to his concerns about PD patients? If his concerns are valid, any suggestions for me if/when it becomes an issue?

Hello @hkscrush

Welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sorry to hear that your urologist has concerns about treating PD patients. Did he give you any specific reason? This might be a good time to seek a second opinion. You might consider meeting with another urologist.

Are your PD symptoms well controlled with your current treatment?

@hopeful33250
I will be meeting with my PD Dr.on Monday. I think I'm OK, but have recently acquired ad started

How dose determine "well controlled"?
continuing earlier post
"acquired..." ... and started (10 days of) treating a bacterial infection. So at the moment looking to get back to my base line.

@hkscrush

In my way of thinking, the term "well controlled" means your symptoms are better after starting treatment than they were before. For example, before I started medication for PD, I had balance problems and had some falls; I also had gait problems (I didn't walk straight, but tended to stagger, especially in the late afternoon when I was tired). Most of the symptoms were controlled after medication. As I've never experienced tremors, I can't speak to that issue. I've also noted, however, that when I have a bacterial or viral infection, my PD symptoms do worsen.

As you think about your symptoms, how well-controlled are your PD symptoms?

@jatonlouise I had a similar experience. Long history of symptoms, ruled other causes, after stumping the neurology depts of 3 hospitals without anything that approached a diagnosis, after getting nothing definitive, the neruologist said he wanted to try gving me l dopa and see what happened.
It was truly a miracle like you'd see at a faith- healer's tent at a revival. In 1 hr I went from totally bedridden to walking. I can see why they wouldn't start out with that , but it seems that alot of discomfort, frustration, and expensive medical procedures could be reduced by using it sooner rather than later.

Maybe someone out there can give me some guidance or direction. My wife was diagnosed with with PD 21 years ago. After one visit with a neurologist with no bedside manner,we went to a major hospital for a second opinion neurologist confirmed PD as well. After 5 years the neurologist colleague started treating my wife for PD suggesting possible DBS. After 19year the hour and half trip became cumbersome for her besides a new neuroscience center was an half hour away . The second meeting with the new neurologist suspectes she doesn’t have and never had PD. Mind you she has the tremors, leg drags ,lost of sense of smell which she had 5 year’s before being diagnosed ,small hand writing after teaching the Palmer writing method and now we are dementia and psychosis. Her new neurologist suggested MRI which basically showed some white brain matter no stroke or anything else. That brings us up to today were they want her to have a spinal tap. She responds to senemett and has been on it probably 15 of the 21 years.if anyone has any ideas or suggestions it would be be appreciated.

@redkolar
So sorry what you are going through. I would suggest a Movement Disorder Neurologist. Some conditions can mimic PD. But some tests can confirm it! Don't give up! I have a spouse with Parkinsons. He has had lots of things happen to him. He now is in End Stage Parkinsons.. I know or believe you will find the right place and physicians!!

Thanks for your reply .Her spinal tap is scheduled for next week,I want to see what they might find out only for her but also the genetics for my daughter and grandson. I will keep in mind about a movement disorder specialist.

Hello @redkolar and welcome to the PD support group on Mayo Connect. I see that @sillyblone has responded to you and shared her own experience about PD in her family.

I am pleased that your wife is having more testing to rule out other disorders. It is interesting that you mentioned that she has responded to Sinemet. Did the doctor indicate the exact reason for the lumbar puncture?

What are your wife's most difficult symptoms at the current time?