Parkinson's Disease Support Group
Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...
I just looked into seeing if I could be seen at our closest VA Medical Center for Parkinson's Disease even though it was a non-service related medical disorder. I have been advised to call and schedule an appt. with the VA Medical Center/hospital and be evaluated by a not just a Neurologist but a Movement Disorder Specialist. What they will do is determine what kind of services or treatments I need and set me up with referrals in my local area. I will be able to continue to use my current Neurologist and Mental Health Care Provider but they will refer me to an MDS and possibly a Speech Therapist for my slurring and swallowing issues. They even said I could be qualified to see an Exercise Therapist through our local Physical Therapy Clinic. Plus, medications will be free or at a cheaper cost. They do not offer any local Parkinson's Support Groups in my area so I would either have to start my own or drive an hour to attend the closet one.
Just wanted to let anyone who is a Veteran out there know that the VA will provide us services needed for our PD even though you were not diagnosed with it during your military career.
It is my intentions to call the VA hospital back and get myself set up for an appointment for an evaluation If the services are available then why not take full advantage of them especially knowing that you get to keep your current doctors.
Just wanted to let anyone who is a Veteran out there know that the VA will provide us services needed for our PD even though you were not diagnosed with it during your military career.
It is my intentions to call the VA hospital back and get myself set up for an appointment for an evaluation If the services are available then why not take full advantage of them especially knowing that you get to keep your current doctors.
I ended up having to by pass our local VA clinic to get set up with an appt. to be seen. Our local VA office here is the worst of the worst as they won't ever return phone calls and the wait time to be seen is always at least 2 hours. Anyhow - I should know within 4-6 weeks if I am qualified and they will send me an appt. notification at that time. Keeping good thoughts.
I am so glad that you are able to go around your local VA because it has been in the news about the local VAs not doing business and then flubbing their records. Maybe the investigation hasn't gotten to your locale yet. hehehe
I have been on sinemet for 4 years now. The new neuro just added a pill at night of the sinemet ER. It was doing really well for a few days but then this morning I was up at 3 am again. I had been waking up feeling pretty awful but with the added pill I wake up feeling pretty good. Did you know that by the time we are diagnosed with PD that the only time we make dopamine is when we sleep?
Has anyone done a sleep study and if so, did you reap big rewards from a sleep study? I told him "no" I already know I have problems sleeping. I started taking the .125 Clonazapine every night to help me with the vivid dreams. So time will tell.
Have a great day and good luck with your path!!!!!