Quote:
Originally Posted by jo_boulder
I'm curious as to why a movement disorder specialist is recommended over a neurologist. I was diagnosed two years ago and was initially referred to a neurologist, which seemed logical at the time. It was not a good doctor-patient relationship, however, and I asked for an alternate referral. I was then referred to a movement disorder specialist who is wonderfully helpful.
I would like to know why one specialty is preferred. I have one friend with PD who is not doing so well and I would love to suggest a new resource to him, but not without a good basis.
Thanks
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Jo,
Without sounding cheeky a MDS is a neurologist, but one who has further refined and/or confined his practice to treating disorders that hit parts of the brain primarily controlling movement. However, it is now becoming more widely accepted that PD, at least, is systemic.
Why is an MDS better? In my opinion, I would give the edge to the MDS for diagnosis as they have more training and experience in discerning subtle differences between conditions as early on symptoms of PD can look like other things. As for treatment...the MDS will be better qualified to manage your meds too. They should also be able to cut through the crap...a lot of misinformation floats around out there about PD, and that misinformation can be harmful. For example, I have heard a doctor with PD express that he was not so worried because he was tremor dominant and so had a more benign form of PD. This is not established or proven at all but it has become accepted that tremor dominant pwp have a better prognosis based on observational studies. Yet, there are studies showing that a person's presenting subtype may change, so you cannot determine anyone's future from this. My doctor knows this and these kinds of things are important to me. I look for a doctor who knows as much as I do about PD yet who is confident and secure enough so when on the rare occasion he might know will readily admit it and look into it for me.
This is not to dismiss plain regular neurologists; you never know. I guess it comes down to you feeling confident that your doc is knowledgeable but also respects that you live with this disorder, so he listens to whatever weird thing you may have going on. This tempered with whatever you might want in a doctor. If you have a neuro who you like and who you feel confident in then so be it. Me, I would endeavor to find the best MDS around and stick to it. That's just me.
Is that what you were wondering? In the end it's a balance between knowing their stuff and not being an arrogant or condescending when it comes to listening to their patients.
Laura