Mum's possible Parkinson's - can anyone recommend a specialist?

[Classyclusterfuckery]

Hi
Mum has had long standing tremors, she now struggles to move around and is losing balance. Her GP made her do a few arm movements in front of him and just dismissed Parkinson's ... He is having some blood tests done (Mum can't remember what for) when she get the results I'd like to her to push for a specialist appointment - she's in Beaconsfield - any recommendations for experts in the area? I may be wrong but I'm not feeling like I want the GP to lead on this ...
All advice on what to look for/ to do/ your experience that this stage would be so gratefully received.

Sounds like it could be a neurological condition but might not necessarily be Parkinson's hence why the GP didn't comment.

i would imagine the GP is waiting to see the blood results first. If something is amiss then she will be referred on for further tests/scans. For Parkinson's, it would be neurology and the diagnosis would come from a Parkinson's specialist.

When are the blood results due back? I would keep that on the radar and make sure that it's all ticking along. It's very easy to fall down a crack at the moment.

You say she is losing balance. Is she falling? If so, I would ask the GP for a physio referral.

How is she coping at home? If you've got concerns, I would put in a referral to Occupational Therapy at the Council. Quite long waiting lists everywhere so I would just get on with that if you think it would help.

careadvice.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/supporting-you-to-live-independently/

If you have money to chuck at the problem, I would see if you could find a private physio and occupational therapist. For most conditions, it's important to keep moving and living life but safely.

Peekachoochoo thank you for taking the time to respond. You're right, I just need to wait and make sure it's the right investigative direction.

The GP has her under Physio care so I shall sit on my hands and await bloods. There is no blood test for Parkinson's so it'll be interesting to see what they're looking for.

Thanks again

Good plan and maybe keep a diary of anything that's happening terms of falls and changes in her ability to do things as that's always really helpful if they are making a diagnosis.

Good about the physio and that's all about her mobility, walking and falls. Occupational therapy is about her staying independent and doing the things she needs to/wants to do. You can refer her to OT yourself via the Council if you think she needs some extra help.

Best of luck with it all. x

I would suggest having a look at the other symptoms of parkinsons and other related diagnoses as there are a few quite similar things. We kept a note of all the things we noticed - from balance problems, forgetting words, handwriting as well as the more obvious things like shaking hands. We requested a referral, who firstly wanted to rule out stroke / tumours etc. Then starting looking at other options. Go armed with evidence and challenge as to how they have ruled it out - as they are not actually qualified to do!