Working With Your Care Team
Once you have chosen members of your care team how can you best interact with them? You and your team want the same thing: They want to give you the best possible care they can and you want to receive the best care available. Why then do so many persons with PD not get the best possible care available? One reason is that communication between patient and care team breaks down.
How can you keep the communication lines between you and your healthcare team open? Here are a few tips.
For every visit to a health professional try to have the following information written down so that you can hand it over to the secretary instead of having to repeat it ad infinitum:
- Your name
- Insurance information and member number
- Date of birth social security number
- Current medications, including over the counter medications and any nutritional supplements you use, the dose you take, and the purpose of the medication
- Known allergies or adverse reactions to medications or common medical equipment
- Current health problems and dates of onset
Don’t forget that medication errors are all too common. You should learn a few ideas to reduce the chance of a medication error.
Tips To Consider Before Your First Appointment
Seeing a movement disorder specialist does not have to occur on a regular basis, especially if the closest specialist is far away. However, this specialist may be able to help in creating an effective treatment plan. Before heading to your first appointment with a movement disorder specialist, there are a few tips to consider:
- Chart recent symptoms in order to provide your new specialist with an accurate picture of what has been going on.
- Bring, or write down, all medications you are currently taking.
- Create a list of questions for your new provider, as well as bring a notepad and pen to write down any answer you may receive.
- Bring a friend or loved one with you as an extra set of eyes and ears. Your loved one may also have their own questions that theyd like answered, especially if they also serve as your caregiver.
- Be prepared for tests and exams that may take a few hours to complete.3
As with any provider, if you do not feel supported or heard when visiting a movement disorder specialist, it is completely acceptable to visit another until you find the right fit. Although movement disorder specialists can be harder to find than some other specialists, finding the right provider for you may be worth the search.
Medications For Parkinson’s Disease
After youve received a diagnosis of Parkinsons disease, your doctor will develop a treatment plan based on the diseases progression at the time you were diagnosed. Current pharmaceutical treatments include:
- Levodopa is a primary treatment for movement, tremors, and stiffness. Levodopa helps nerve cells make dopamine. This medication is also taken with carbidopa so that levodopa can reach the brain and stop or reduce side effects from the drug, such as vomiting, nausea, and low blood pressure.
- Dopamine agonists mimic dopamine in the brain but are not as effective as levodopa in controlling symptoms like muscle movement and rigidity.
- Catechol O-methyltransferase inhibitors block an enzyme that breaks down dopamine. They are taken with levodopa and slow the bodys ability to get rid of levodopa.
- MAO B inhibitors block monoamine oxidase B , a brain enzyme that breaks down dopamine. This allows dopamine to have longer-lasting effects.
- Anticholinergics aid in reducing tremors and muscle stiffness.
- Amantadine was first developed as an antiviral agent and can reduce involuntary movements caused by levodopa.
- Istradefylline is an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist. It is used for people taking carbidopa and levodopa but who experience off symptoms.
These drugs can have a variety of side effects. Be sure to discuss your medications with your doctor so you understand how and when to take them, what side effects may occur, and when to report any concerning side effects.
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About The American Parkinson Disease Association
The American Parkinson Disease Association is the largest grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinsons disease and works tirelessly to assist the more than 1 million Americans with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $170 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease.
To join us in the fight against Parkinsons disease and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through our network of Chapters and Information & Referral Centers, as well as our national Research Program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit us atwww.apdaparkinson.org.
Patient Stories
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A 10-year-old girl collides with a bike, leading to emergency brain surgery.
Elli
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Miraculously, I regained all movement and speech
David
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It was like turning on a light switch. Literally the next day, my voice was almost back to normal.
Mike
Choose A Neurologist Who Specializes In Movement Disorders
Your first task is to find a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders . You need someone who can tell you what to anticipate and who can put you in touch with the best resources and treatment options available. This neurologist will know when to start medications and when to adjust the dosages of those medications to achieve maximum benefit and so forth. So how do you find such a specialist?
First, ask your primary care doctor for a referral to a Parkinson’s specialist. Your primary care doctor will certainly be able to point you in the right direction.
You can also find a local support group for Parkinson’s patients and ask those individuals for recommendations on specialists. You can get information on local support groups as well as local specialists from the local or regional chapters of a national Parkinson’s disease organization. If you can’t find a support group in your community, check out the online support communities for people with Parkinson’s disease who live in your area. You may even be able to get an idea of a neurologist who would meld well with your own personality by asking questions and hearing others talk about their experiences.
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Vitamins For Parkinson’s Disease
Apart from traditional pharmaceutical treatments, if you have Parkinsons disease, your doctor may recommend vitamins with antioxidant properties. While it is best to get these from food sources as part of a healthy, balanced diet, some people need to take supplements. These vitamins include:
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
Princeton Care Center Specializes In Parkinsons Disease Rehabilitation
Parkinsons Disease is a chronic degenerative movement disorder that effects approximately one million people. It is the most common movement disorder and second most common neurodegenerative disorder in The United States.
The staff at Princeton Care Center understand that individuals diagnosed with PD have particular needs and do best when programs are in place that can provide the specialized care needed to ease the burden of living with PD and provide the best treatment and rehabilitation available.
The team at Princeton Care Center has gone through specialized training to provide world class care and rehabilitation specific for people with PD in both our Sub Acute Rehabilitation Unit and Long Term Care Facility. Our nurses, certified nursing aids, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapists, and recreation staff have all completed training on how to best help individuals manage their care.
Our Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Speech Therapist are certified in the LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD modalities for treating patients with PD. Our rehab staff members are part of an elite group of 15,000 therapists in 54 countries specially trained to provide the most beneficial rehabilitation available.
The overall goal is to not only preserve, but improve physical ability so that independence and an active life style can be maintained.
Please contact us to answer any questions and to arrange for a tour.
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Find A Parkinsons Expert
Finding a doctor who is an expert in Parkinsons disease can help you get the best possible care. Look for a neurologist, a doctor who works with brain and central nervous system conditions such as Parkinsons. When possible, a movement disorder specialist a neurologist with additional training to treat people with Parkinsons at every stage of the disease can be a key addition to a quality care team.
Neurologists with Parkinsons expertise and movement disorder specialists can often recommend other healthcare professionals who can help treat day-to-day challenges. A holistic, team-based care approach can help you live well with PD.
Movement Disorder Treatment In New Jersey
The Mayo Clinic Defines Movement Disorders as:
The term movement disorders refers to a group of nervous system conditions that cause abnormal increased movements, which may be voluntary or involuntary. Movement disorders can also cause reduced or slow movements.
Common types of movement disorders include: Citation
Ataxia. This movement disorder affects the part of the brain that controls coordinated movement . Ataxia may cause uncoordinated or clumsy balance, speech or limb movements, and other symptoms. Ataxia signs and symptoms are often confused with signs and symptoms of Parkinsons disease
Cervical dystonia. This condition causes long-lasting contractions or intermittent contractions of the neck muscles, causing the neck to turn in different ways.
Chorea. Chorea is characterized by repetitive, brief, irregular, somewhat rapid, involuntary movements that typically involve the face, mouth, trunk and limbs.
Huntingtons disease. This is an inherited progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that causes uncontrolled movements , impaired cognitive abilities and psychiatric conditions. Some signs of huntingtons mimic signs of Parkinsons.
Multiple system atrophy. This uncommon, progressive neurological disorder affects many brain systems. Multiple system atrophy causes a movement disorder, such as ataxia or Parkinsonism. It can also cause low blood pressure and impaired bladder function.
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Vitamin B12 And Folate
Vitamin B12 is an antioxidant. It helps keep red blood cells and nerve cells healthy and helps produce DNA. Sources of vitamin B12 are typically red meat, chicken, sardines, eggs, fortified cereals and bread, and nutritional yeast.
Researchers discovered that patients with early-onset Parkinson’s disease had lower vitamin B12 levels, which reduced motor and cognitive functions. In some cases, taking a multivitamin that included vitamin B12 slowed the loss of those functions.
Folate is found in organ meats , yeast, and leafy green vegetables. Folate plays several roles in the body and brain.
Both B12 and folate are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, an amino acid. High levels of homocysteine are seen in various cognitive disorders. Studies show that Parkinson’s disease patients taking levodopa for the condition are also more likely to have elevated homocysteine.
In one meta-data analysis, researchers investigated the correlations between cognitive function , homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in patients with Parkinson’s disease. They discovered that patients with cognitive dysfunction had high levels of homocysteine and lower levels of folate and vitamin B12.
Healability: Preservation Of Health And Wellness Through The Promotion Of Well
Dr. James Farley is a world renowned parkinsons expert. He authored Creating healAbility for the Parkinsons to help those looking for answers for their parkinsons issues.
Cambridge Brain Sciences
Nationally Recognized Treatments
Some of Our Treatments & Technologies Seen On NIMI, PubMed, International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, The Dr. Oz Show, Discovery Channel
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Expert Care In Movement Disorders
Most patients with a movement disorder take at least one oral medication. Our neurologists spend almost all of their time treating patients with movement disorders, providing the experience required to optimize your medication dosages.
Jefferson Health offers a newer form of therapy called Duopa an improved form of carbidopa/levodopa for patients who experience long off periods on oral medication. Duopa involves placing a tube that leads to the small intestine, called a J-tube. A device releases carbidopa/levodopa into your intestine on a small but constant basis. For many patients, this reduces fluctuation in motor symptoms.
We also provide an expert chemodenervation clinic. Chemodenervation can help with excessive eye twitching, drooling or dystonia in the jaw and feet. Our neurologists provide Botox®, Myobloc® or Xeomin® injections in our office. Most patients will see relief shortly after the injection. The medications typically work for three or four months.
Look For A Parkinsons Specialist
Both general neurologists and movement disorders specialists care for people living with Parkinsons. It takes about 12 years in the U.S. to become a general neurologist a doctor who works with brain and central nervous system conditions. This includes a four-year undergraduate college degree, four years in medical school and three to four more years of specialized training in a neurology residency. General neurologists typically work in a hospital, or private or group practice. Some neurologists treat many people with Parkinsons and are knowledgeable about the disease. However, most neurologists have diverse practices, of which PD represents only a small percent.
Most movement disorders specialists are neurologists who have completed another one or two years of movement disorders training, a neurology sub-specialty. Movement disorders specialists may see patients in a private practice or at university medical centers. They often perform clinical or basic science research in addition to caring for patients. They may also teach doctors who are becoming specialists.People with Parkinsons may constitute 50 percent or more of a specialists practice. With this level of experience, a movement disorders specialist will be more familiar with the range of available Parkinsons medications, how they work and possible side effects. A movement disorders specialist is also more likely to discuss the role of clinical trials.
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Best Neurologists In Edmonton Ab
Expert recommended Top 3 Neurologists in Edmonton, AB. All of our neurologists actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes everything from checking reviews, ratings, reputation, history, complaints, satisfaction, trust and cost to the general excellence. You deserve only the best!
DR. NORBERT WITT
10816 124 Street Northwest, Edmonton, AB T5M 0H3 Directions
Since 1979
Heres The Deal:Dr. Norbert Witt is a skilled neurologist in Edmonton, AB, who obtained his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Alberta in 1979. He has a wide range of experience in dealing with the most complicated neurological problems. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the brain and other related defects. He also works as an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta. Dr. Norbert also performs Electroencephalography, Electromyography, and Evoked Potential . Dr. Norbert Witt always cares about his patients, and he guides them to recover from their illnesses through his effective medication. Dr. N J Witt makes a flexible schedule for his patient’s treatments.
SPECIALTY:Back Pain, Bell’s Palsy, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Headache, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Huntington’s and Infectious Diseases, Migraine, Cephalic & Movement Disorders
DR. KENNETH G. MAKUS – EDMONTON SPECIALISTS CLINIC
625 Parsons Road Southwest, Unit 201, Edmonton, AB T6X 0N9 Directions
Since 1994
License #012190
Since 2007
License #023034
Parkinsons Help Near Hunterdon County Nj
In 1995 Dr. James Farley founded the MFC Center for Health in order to help individuals with chronic conditions. He is a restorative medicine specialist with experience working with patients with:
- Early Parkinsons
- Early symptoms of Parkinsons
- Patients in Parkinsonism treatment
- Patients in various Parkinsons stages
He has consulted in cases involving over 5,000 patients and has provided treatment in over 225,000 cases.
Starting with a Bachelor of Arts degree at Ramapo College, he also received a Bachelor of Health Sciences from Park University. Then he achieved his Doctor of Chiropractic through New York Chiropractic College, having earned his degree with honors. His Masters of Science in Human Nutrition was awarded through the University of Bridgeport.
In addition, he is board certified in Integrative Medicine, and is a Member of the Endocrine Society, FOCIS, ANJC, IAFNR, IPMDS, IDSA, a Fellow of the American Institute of Stress, and a Diplomat of the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists and the American Clinical Board of Nutrition from 1996-2002. He is also certified for his office in peripheral neuropathy.
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Department Of Neurologyclinical Academic Building
About the department
The Department of Neurology faculty provides diagnostic and consultative services for all neurological disorders. The department serves as the major regional referral center for patients with movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy and dystonia epilepsy stroke multiple sclerosis neurogenetic disorders neuromuscular disorders such as ALS and myasthenia gravis nervous systems disorders affecting vision such as optic neuritis headache and neurobehavioral disorders such as dementia.
to visit the department’s website.
Physicians & Professionals
Phone: Fax: 732-235-7041
The Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Program at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of cognitive, psychiatric and behavioral syndromes within neurology. Conditions we treat include:
1. Diffuse and multifocal brain disorders affecting cognition and behavior .
2. Neurobehavioral syndromes associated with focal brain lesions .
3. Neuropsychiatric manifestations of neurological disorders .
Phone: Fax: 732-235-7041
Our Epilepsy Center consists of epilepsy neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, nurse practitioners, pharmacologists, psychiatrists, neuropathologist and research coordinators. We evaluate and manage new-onset or chronic seizure disorders.
Electrocorticography in assisting neurosurgeons for epilepsy resective surgery
About ALS
What is ALS?
to download our program brochure.
Parkinsons Specialist Near Hunterdon County New Jersey
Dr. Farley has extensive experience working with patients with neurological diseases like:
- Patients in most Parkinsons disease stages
- Patients in Parkinsons therapy
- Patients on Parkinson disease medication
He and our team of specialists are here to work closely with you to develop the exact plan for your condition, lifestyle, and needs. We regularly work with individuals experiencing symptoms of Parkinsons and the associated movement disorders that Parkinsons causes.
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