I also get little help from my neurologist at Emory here in Atlanta. I think I accidentally stumbled upon the reason. I had an appointment a few weeks ago and had to sit in the waiting room for quite a while. During that time, nearly every patient who came in (about 20 or so) was there to participate in a research study or clinical trial. I could hear the receptionist quiz each person as they arrived. In fact, she looked up as each walked to the desk and said, "Here for a study?"

I believe--at least at Emory and other teaching hospitals where research is emphasized--that doctors find that more interesting and profitable than trying to help us deal with the actual daily issues of this disase. It is often "publish or perish" in such institutes of learning.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I am thinking of trying to find a neuro out here in the suburbs and see if I get more help that way.

I do know the difference between essential tremor (which is what I thought I had for four years}, and PD tremor. It took me six months to agree with the PD diagnosis after much research and trying two different PD medications. I reacted badly to both....fatigue, apathy, depression, were much worse than my left side tremor. I recently went to a PD conference in Oregon where a movement specialist from CA explained that he does not treat his patients with meds when they present tremors on one side of their body and don't show any other functional difficulties. That is me.....so I will continue to be med free as long as I can, using diet, supplements, and exercise as my meds. I am trying to connect with other people who are not using meds and what works for them. Anyone using 5htp or SamE?

Julia, I take Mucuna Pruriens (brand name Zandopa), which really helps with my tremor and stiffness. Like you, I only have the tremor on one side and have reacted badly to PD meds. I'm still taking Sinemet (1 1/2 tablet a day), but trying to wean off of it. My neurologist, sweet as he is, is little help. I'm making an appt. this week with an Internal Medicine dr. who specializes in Functional Medicine.

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member, Tremors have strange characteristics. There are actually two separate kinds of tremor. One is the PD tremor. The other one is called "Essential Tremor". Do you know which is which? Generally, if being treated for PD tremor with PD Meds and it does absolutely nothing for the tremors...it could be you need to be treated for Essential Tremor. Ask your doctor about this. Essential Tremor does not respond to the same medication as the one used for PD tremor. And you may be suffering from PD and Essential Tremor. In my opinion, there is no quick fix here to know which is which and how to treat without a few weeks of observation and "trial and error". Does this make sense to you? Sterling

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A MyParki...

General neurologists dont understand P.D. YOU NEED A MOVEMENT DISORDER NEURO.
There's a new study out that measured different Mucuna brands and measured the actual amount of mucuna in each capsule of each brand. Amounts varied GREATLY. Supplements Are NOT REGULATED. The only way anyone will find answers to stopping and or slowing the death of our brain cells..is through clinical studies at university teaching hospitals. Ive heard great things about Emory's program. I went Univ. Of Florida's Fixel Institute. I had an excellent experience with Dr. Okun and his team/ his PA Matthew Barabas was fabulous.They stabilized my dosage of Sinemet and my balance is normal and my tremor only breaks through when im tired or really stressed. My M/D neuro here in south Florida diagnosed me and put me on Sinemet, but that was all. (And it was not an adequate dose. )His nurse gave me basic instructions. No P.T., No O.T.,No follow up, on the Sinemet. No nothing. An appointment for 4 months.
At Fixel, they have O.T.s, P.T.s speech therapists, they create a plan for you.
Dr Okun and team reply to emails promptly.
(They have DBS and Focused ultrasound there too ) The entire place is amazing from the minute you walk in the door. Every staff member is at your service!