Test for Parkinson

PET scan maybe? Seems that clinical analysis by an experienced doctor works best. The one who diagnosed me when others did not know knew immediately.

@nova11723
What kind of doctor did you see? A movement disorder specialist?
ThanksDebbie

@nova11723
DATscan

@tngirl103 I had a neurologist order a DATscan to determine Parkinson’s as well as other tests.

@sunnyduckel
Thanks, and I hope you are doing well.

@tngirl103 The doctor I saw was just listed as a neurologist because I didn't know what I had, but he seemed to have had experience identifying people with PD. I was only 38 at that time, but he was 100% sure, which was confirmed by the PET scan (and the next 10 years).

Anyway, I think picking someone who is classified as specializing in movement disorders is probably a good idea.

@sunnyduckel Thanks!

I was diagnosed by a Movement Specialist after a clinical and symptom evaluation. It was confirmed by a follow-up DAT scan. My other physicians had attributed my tremors (only presenting with my left hand) to nerve damage. They did not associate my nonmotor symptoms (e.g., voice change, gait, constipation, fatigue, etc.) to PD. My Movement Specialist linked everything and made the diagnosis.

To be fair, although discussed, I did not highlight my nonmotor symptoms to my other physicians. My Movement Specialist knew the right questions to ask and the right clinical tests to evaluate.

Good luck with your journey.

I think the Syn-One skin biopsy test detects Parkinsons as well as MSA.

my experience is FIRST---be seen by a movement disorder specialist. they know the protocol. they will conduct as others said an in-clinic evaluation. after that they will know the correct path should any further tests be warranted. i posted this on a sperate thread---google "Stanford neurologist Parkinson's disease physical exam" its a good source to understanding the clinical eval. But definitely see a movement disorder specialist.