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Balance & Gait Problems: A Real Puzzler
Aging Well | Last Active: May 27, 2022 | Replies (59)Comment receiving replies
Hi Ray, @ray666
I am glad that some of my thoughts were helpful to you. Yes, I agree that an EMG might be very helpful for you in understanding your situation better. I'm surprised that no one has suggested it, but often we do need to be our own advocates and this might be your case.
The best way to determine if you might have PD is to schedule an appointment with a movement disorder specialist. These doctors are neurologists who have special training in movement disorders and PD is one of those disorders. You might take a look at information about PD because there are a lot of symptoms that are overlooked in diagnosing PD. These are referred to as non-motor symptoms and include problems with sleep, constipation, voice problems (very soft voice usually), and often a lack of facial expressions. If you go to the Michael J. Fox website or the Davis Phinney website, you will learn more about the variety of symptoms of PD. I do not have tremors so I don't look the part of a typical PD patient. Here on Connect we also have a discussion about PD. Here is the link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/parkinsons-disease/.
Just for your information: Movement disorder specialists are found at your larger medical facilities and/or teaching hospitals, you will not necessarily find them at a local hospital and/or community health center.
I look forward to hearing from you as you seek out an answer to your perplexing symptoms. Will you post again?
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Hi, Teresa
I may have to keep this short because I have some shopping to do, but I want to thank you again for your additional thoughts, particularly the movement disorder specialist. I'd not heard of that specialty before. You say they're more easily found in large medical facilities. Luckily, my primary and the various specialists I've seen over the years are affiliated with Porter Adventist Hospital, one of Denver's better staffed and better equipped hospitals. I'd wager they've got a movement disorder specialist on their staff. And I'll be sure to ask.
As for PD symptoms, I've done a little snooping online, reading up on symptoms, and I don't seem to have any, at least what the various sites called the more prevalent symptoms. I did see, however, that there is such a thing as asymptomatic PD. I'll certainly not rule out PD as something to investigate. And now I'd best get started with that grocery shopping!
Best wishes,
Ray