soccermom, I have pasted below two links. This first is for a Movement Disorder Specialist Finder based on your location. Just put in zip code. For example, I put in the zip for Alexandria, Va. and a list of 30 - 40 MDS doctors show up with-in a reasonable radius. I would HIGHLY recommend that you begin with a MDS rather than a general neurologist, and certainly not with someone specializing in alternative medicine. It's not that there may not be a time and place for alternative/holistic care, but you haven't even being diagnosed with PD yet and they aren't capable of doing that. From your description, and family, history, it sounds like PD is a good possibility, but there are other diseases that are similar in the early stages. Your first priority now is to determine exactly what your are dealing with. Alternative care specialists are not trained in diagnostics. If, down the road, you wanted to try to add on alternative treatments, like many do, then i can understand that. In addition, given your family history, its highly recommended that you get genetically tested to see if you have any of the mutations. It is very likely we will see treatment differentiation in the future based on certain genotypes. You will only get this type of information from an MDS.

Regarding involvement in clinical trials, thats a wonderful idea! I've pasted a link for the MJFF Fox Trial Finder. It's pretty much self explanatory to set up. You will be able to sort through all of the 500 or so ongoing, and new, clinical trials in PD. They can be sorted by drug or observational. The drug trials can be sorted in multiple ways (e.g. symptomatic treatments, or disease modifying/interventional treatments).

Finally, Dan's suggestion about how to interact with your MDS is great advice for everyone. Furthermore, you should not be afraid to interview several doctors. If you have PD, it's a long term journey. You want to be treated by someone knowledgeable who you trust, feel comfortable in speaking with, and shows you proper respect. There are many MDS out there like that, but, unfortunately not all of them are.

Good luck,

Gary

FOX TRIAL FINDER : Parkinson's Disease Clinical Trials
Find a Movement Disorder Specialist | Partners in Parkinson’s

P.S. If you have a chance of getting into NYC next Saturday, there is a free event called Partner's in Parkinsons. It is probably the best place I could recommend for getting the type of information you are searching for. There are several discussions on how to find a MDS, what will happen at the first visit, and how to partner with your doctor.

Attend an Event | Partners in Parkinson’s