Neurology referral for Parkinson's Disease - any advice?

[Gnome134]

My Mum (aged 76) has been referred to neurology for possible Parkinson's Disease, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I have been reading the Parkinson's UK website and various MN threads about it.
DM has been seen previously by neurology and discharged with no diagnosis, several years ago. Her movement has deteriorated hugely since then and she also has repeated urinary issues, and difficulties with fine motor skills and arm movement. The movement issues have previously been attributed to arthritis.
I suggested she ask the GP to be referred again as her walk is now exactly like the "Parkinson's gait" I saw mentioned on a previous thread. She complains of balance issues and uses a push along wheeled walker all the time, even inside her flat unless she can hold onto something, she also has times when she can't lift one foot to "get started" moving. She has a big fear of falling over, but hasn't fallen as far as I know. She won't go outside if she decides it is too windy/ wet as she thinks she will get blown over or slip (this fear exceeds any real risk).
I'm obviously not a medical expert, but extensive reading around this does look like it could be PD rather than a collection of symptoms from other causes.

Has anyone got any words of wisdom as to anything I should ask the neurologist when I take her to her appointment?

I do realise that a diagnosis at this point will probably not do much to improve things, but I don't think she should accept the situation as normal aging as it really isn't.

My father has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease after seeing neurology consultant. He is in his mid 70s.

His problems were mainly with extreme slowness and reduced dexterity - difficulties with dressing, shoelaces, cutting food etc., but with occasional tremor.
After starting treatment, he is almost back to his 'normal' self.

Hopefully developing the condition at this age, he will have a few years where medication keeps symptoms at bay.

Hope this helps

Thanks. Yes, my Mum is also very slow to do anything now. She hasn't got any tremor.
I hope the neurologist does sort of look at all the symptoms jointly. I've read so much about it taking ages to get a diagnosis I'm concerned she'll lose more ability.

Still not seen on NHS, referred in the summer of last year (nearly 6 months).

He was seen privately, as soon as he started medication he improved dramatically, (after a steady deterioration, which left me thinking he would need care).

Hopefully your mother will show similar improvement, if she is diagnosed and starts treatment.

NHS appt next month, with the same consultant that he saw privately.

I was pleasantly surprised that the NHS referral will have taken about 4 months by the time of the appointment at the beginning of March.
Glad your Dad has had such an improvement with the medication.

My dad's recently diagnosed. Was kind of diagnosed a couple of years ago with vascular Parkinson's, but then just discharged back to his gp with no treatment, has recently been seen again (appt took about 6 months) and been rediagnosed with PD as well as vascular Parkinson's. He's deteriorated a lot in the last year, but am hoping medication might help him. He's been referred to speech and language and physio, his swallowing isn't very good and he's quite unsteady. Definitely cognively he's struggling, he seems to be really struggling with his executive function, it takes him hours to do anything which is causing a lot of conflict with my mum.
I hope your mum can have a proper consultation soon to rule it in or out.

Is there a movement disorder or frailty clinic attached to local hospitals? It may be a better option for your dm?
that collection of problems may or may not be Parkinson’s and medication side effects plus or minus movement issues can also cause that collection of symptoms.

movement disorder or frailty clinics are great at identifying these things and treating. They can also diagnose Parkinson’s if it is that. Neurology is great - but if it’s not a neurology problem their involvement ends, which is no help to your dm and sounds like that’s what happened last time.

Get a referral to a Speech and Language Therapist trained in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment/Therapy. Its horrifically boring and repetitive therapy but will help maintain her ability to communicate, which often decreases (volume, intelligibility) with Parkinsons.
Theres a similar treatment done by specially trained physiotherapists called " Think Big" that is showing great promise aiding mobility. Not sure if done in UK but worth a google.

@Flossiemoss Thanks.
I will find out about movement disorder or frailty clinics if we get no help from neurology. That is the problem, she has a collection of symptoms that may or may not be so many things. The movement disorder is definitely significantly worse than previously so I'm hopeful they can't just send her away scratching their heads about the cause again!

@Woolandwonder I hope your Dad gets some help too and the medication helps. It is so worrying when it takes so long to get anything diagnosed.