𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗕𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗹𝘀𝗲

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗕𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗹𝘀𝗲
Hearing that you have Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many people with PD respond well to treatment and continue to lead active, fulfilling lives for many years. However, PD is not the only condition that causes tremor, stiffness, or slow movement. Several disorders can look similar, especially early on. So, how do you know if your diagnosis is correct?
The good news is that most people diagnosed with PD do have the condition. However, there are situations where it is worth discussing your diagnosis with a neurologist—particularly a movement disorders specialist.

Levodopa is the most effective medication for PD, and most patients experience at least some improvement. If your symptoms do not improve despite taking an adequate dose exactly as prescribed, your neurologist may consider whether another condition is responsible.

Balance problems usually develop gradually in PD. Repeated falls within the first year or two of symptoms may suggest another condition, such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) or multiple system atrophy (MSA).

Severe dizziness when standing, fainting, urinary incontinence, or difficulty emptying the bladder early in the illness may point toward MSA rather than typical PD.

Difficulty looking up or down or unexplained falls related to impaired eye movements are not typical early Parkinson’s features and should prompt further evaluation.

If walking, speech, swallowing, or daily functioning worsens dramatically over months instead of years, your neurologist may want to reassess the diagnosis.

Significant memory problems or visual hallucinations that occur before or within the first year of movement symptoms may suggest dementia with Lewy bodies rather than PD.

Essential tremor often occurs during activities such as writing or eating while PD tremor is usually most noticeable at rest.

BeCare Neuro and BeCare Parkinson’s App can help by quantitatively evaluating your neuro exam and monitoring for change.  Be Aware with BeCare.  Become a driver in your own neurologic journey.