I am new here. I had a DAT scan two weeks ago. I just received my results by letter. I am a 36 years old man and I am very worry now. I have a tremor in left hand and also slow movements sometimes, getting tired often etc.
My results are:
"The DAT scan shows symmetrical loss of uptake in both putamina with relatively preserved uptake in the caudate nucleus. The DAT scan is suggestive nigrostriatal degeneration."
It doesn't sound good... Anyone can help me and explain what does it mean? Or anyone had a simmilar results? Thanks
i am not sure of your results but there maybe someone who can help you , but it may be indictive of possible parkinson's disease
I have parkinson's but i have never had a DAT scan my neurologist diagnesed by symptoms alone and the fact that i have a parent with Parkinson's
I hope you get the information you are looking for , you could always try and ring your neurologist to ask him to explain the results to you if you are worried
Thanks Shelly for your reply . My neurologist said that it is possible Parkinson's too. If someone here had a Dat scan could you write about your results or if it was PD in the end?
Hello, I was dx in July 2013 age 55. I was not put on medication until I had a DAT scan in October 2013. Waited for the result, and all a bit vague. DAT scan has shown reduction of dopamine bilaterally more predominantly in the right which could explain my predominantly left sided symptoms and this would support conditions such as Parkinson's. When I asked questions of my Consultant, it is was clear this is about all they can tell. I didn't think it was worth the effort. Wonder if it is just for research purposes.
I am now on Rasagiline, three weeks on, absolutely no affect on my very rigid left hand. Wonder what happens next?
My mother had Parkinson's from age 81 to age 89. Died four months after my diagnoses. Glad she never knew.
When i was first diagnosed with Parkinson's last year age 47 i was put onto Rasagiline , it did not do much for me either , for the majority of people it does not do much i believe its effects are quite weak but neurologists tend to prescribe it has it is thought to be neuroprotective , when i went back to see my neurologist 3 months later i explained the Rasagiline was not really doing much for my symptoms , i was given a choice of DA or Levodopa
My mother also has Parkinson's she was diagnosed last year at the age of 76 .
Hi All. I'm interested in how you came to get your DaT Scan results. In my experience, the neurologist didn't offer to share this at diagnosis-and as I was in shock I didn't think to ask. Also, my PD Nurse was unable to share this info when I did ask for it at my latest appointment. Thoughts anyone?
My post disappeared for no reason just now while typing so this short. Dat scan more to rule out other things, especially in a younger person. Respond to PD drugs and the "probable" bit of the dx usually disappears.
I appreciate Rasagiline is prescribed as it might be neuroprotective, but it was one trial, and after seeing the Horizon programme on the placebo affects of drugs, especially on Parkinson's patients, I would probably doubt this. I will discuss with my PD nurse on next visit. Meanwhile, I will carry on with Rasagiline. My symptoms are mild, so I could carry on without drugs at this stage. What did you choose DA or Levodopa? Did it help your symptoms?
I phoned my consultant's secretary for them. Your GP will have a copy on your records, you can ask for a printout. Judging by my results, it probably doesn't say much. They are looking for damage to one particular area of the brain, which shows up green on the scan. I think it is a size issue, small green dot, lots of damage.
If there is damage to this area, it confirms their diagnosis.
Thanks everyone for your responses. I have my next appointment in hospital on Monday and my neurologist said something about "dopamine challange".
EileenPatricia if you can write more ; sorry that your post disappeared .
Faith; I got my results by post. It looks like a letter to GP. Not much info in it. I did ask about my results to be send to me by post.
I am worried about everything now. If I have PD will I be able to work. My symptoms are making me slow and weak. I work as a builder and if I am not strong and too slow in me work I am not good. I have a 1 year old son and wife to take care of. Tremor in my hand makes me look like an alcoholic in my employers ' eyes.
I chose the Levodopa as the neuro said a DA would not work as well as levodopa yes my symptoms improved greatly started on Sinemet plus but i had to come off those and go on Madopar as i suffered terrible nausea and vomiting on the Sinemet i guess they do not suit everyone , my mother is 77 and also has parkinsons she takes Sinemet plus with no problems
i am sorry you have been having such a confusing time with your diagnosis and I hope your Monday appointment gives you plenty of answers. I was diagnosed by a neurologist at my first appointment but she did send me for a scan to confirm it. I had a meeting with her when she told me the scan confirmed her diagnosis but she then referred me on to the specialist Parkinson's team but I did not attend that appointment for several months as we had planned and booked to take our campervan to Spain and Portugal. This time allowed me to come to terms with the diagnosis as much as I could without worrying about medication etc. when I did attend the PD team appointment i was started on Rasagiline. As more symptoms appeared Mirapexin was added but at any point the choice was mine. I chose to try and control symptoms with drugs but it did not affect my tremor. However the tremor is only apparent when i am at rest so if i am doing anything it is not noticeable so I try to keep active as much as possible. It sounds like you have a very active job so whilst you are aware of the tremor others may not be. What has helped me (but it took a while to get this mindset) is not to think too far ahead. There is no way of predicting anything in life so whilst one day at a time might lead to a certain level of disorganisation for me i try and operate on one month at a time. This month is busy with birthdays etc and family visits next month has a vague shape that needs firming up in time. It is also quite liberating not to worry about things until nearer the time. Good luck for Monday and make a list of questions to ask!
This is indeed a worrying and confusing time for you, and I echo others in suggesting that you don't look too far ahead, certainly not yet. But I'd say three things: Parkinson's is not the end of the world and in most cases it progresses slowly: don't panic! Second, drugs help: take them now, when you need to restore as functionality as you can. That'll help with your ability to work, and on that subject there are laws which will help protect your employment. There's still everything to play for!
Thanks a lot. Camargue and Semele your posts helped me a lot. I just receive another letter for next appointment from PD Nurse about Levodopa challenge. I just need to focus on now and not to think about the future too much. I feel down when I think about the future.
Hi krzysiek98. My PD Nurse said it would take about a year to actually come to terms with the diagnosis and I think she could be right. Diagnosed in February this year, I finally managed to tell a close work colleague this week without getting upset! That's progress. I'm still trying to come to terms with how to manage work, I'm 51, but I know I have to take things one step at a time. I have found the PUK employment team really helpful and I also contacted my union for advice on what can be done to support me. Hang in there and enjoy the sun
Hi ; I just received my diagnosis - I have Parkinson's. i am a bit upset. I started Selegiline 5mg tablets. I feel a little better after taking them. I am looking into PIP because you can get it when you work too. I find a lot good information on this web. Thanks.
Hi Gus; you also was diagnosed young. Could you tell me how your life looks now? Are you on medication? You had DBS. Have you got any advice for me about problems such as side effect, or other possible problems I may have. Thanks
YEH NOT TO BAD WAS DX AT 34YRS OLD THEY RECKON I HAD PD FOR 5YRS NOW 42YRS SO MAKING IT 13YRS MINE WAS VERY AGGRESSIVE GAVE UP WORK ABOUT 16 MONTHS AGO AS HAD TO KEEP GETTING RE-PROGRAM ON DBS,NOW ALOT BETTER SHAKING ,TREMORS, UNCONTROLLABLE HAND ALL GONE THANKS TO DBS .YES I AM ON ALOT OF TABLETS ALSO HAVE BACK,NERVE PAIN ,SLEEPING PROBLEMS 34 TABLETS ADAY 8 OF THEM FOR PD,EVERYONE ARE DIFFERENT MANY PEOPLE GO ON FOR YRS WITH MILD PD SYMPTOMS JUST WATCH OUT FOR COMPULSIVE GAMBLING ,SEX.HOW OLD ARE YOU .
