I have all the symptoms of pd and multiple system atrophy.how can you tell the difference between the two. Concerned since hearing about it on radio.can anyone help please.twins 99
Twins99 hello, might be a good idea to ask your GP. I sincerely hope you are able to find out what are looking for.
Radz x
Radz x
Hello Twins 99, Yes ask your GP but also are you taking Levadopa? Levadopa only works on PD love Sunray
Hello twinns99,
I think if you contact the helpline they can put you in touch with the MSA support group who will have all the information about the condition, also you may find it on the web. Sunray is right if Dopamine does not improve you symptoms it probably is not PD.
best of luck
vivian
I think if you contact the helpline they can put you in touch with the MSA support group who will have all the information about the condition, also you may find it on the web. Sunray is right if Dopamine does not improve you symptoms it probably is not PD.
best of luck
vivian
it is very difficult to tell the difference between some cases of pd and msa- most sites say a definite diagnosis of msa is only possible in an autopsy. even the levadopa test is only a sign - quite a few people have pd and dont respond to it. i definitely wouldn't jump to any conclusions over some symptoms being the same as your own.
Hi everyone
Thanks everyone I think I'm just panicking abit.i turned radio on on we'd morning and listened to Simon bates where the person died from msa after being dx with pd.what timing eh.im only just trying to get my meds right I'm on 1.57 mirapexin at the moment.ive got all the symptoms motor and non motor of pd.i was dx at stage two.meds making a little difference but not alot.as you can see I don't got to bed till early morning.im up and six and its not stop for another day .although I'm wanting to sit down all the while I only sit down to eat .getting cramps alot and sort off stopping all of a sudden like I'm on my toes and leaning forward fore about ten seconds then I can walk again.thanks again turnip for your reply .it has helped everyone. Twins99
Thanks everyone I think I'm just panicking abit.i turned radio on on we'd morning and listened to Simon bates where the person died from msa after being dx with pd.what timing eh.im only just trying to get my meds right I'm on 1.57 mirapexin at the moment.ive got all the symptoms motor and non motor of pd.i was dx at stage two.meds making a little difference but not alot.as you can see I don't got to bed till early morning.im up and six and its not stop for another day .although I'm wanting to sit down all the while I only sit down to eat .getting cramps alot and sort off stopping all of a sudden like I'm on my toes and leaning forward fore about ten seconds then I can walk again.thanks again turnip for your reply .it has helped everyone. Twins99
This is a debate very close to my heart. My husband was diagnosed at his first consultation 15 months ago with MSA at the age of 59. We were totally devastated - he had very minor symptoms and it came as a bolt from the blue, - we had never even heard of it. Since then we have struggled to come to terms with this terrible diagnosis and even grimmer prognosis. Our consultant based his diagnosis on a short 20 minute question and answer session and it was like bingo you got enough ticks in the box to equal MSA, We were offered no tests. The consultant was unequivocal and wouldnt be swayed when we questioned his reasoning. He told us to go away and live our life and come back when things got worse! We then saw him again 12 months later - my husband had been taking levodopa and had seemingly responded well to this, so we went with some optimism for the second appointment. Our optimism was quickly quoshed as the consultant said he still thought it was MSA, When I challenged him and said I thought MSA didnt respond to medication, he was dismissive and said well it might do to start with but it wont later. |He was abrupt and seemingly totally unempathetic and patronising.
After much soul searching we sought a second opinion this week (some 15 months after the first diagnosis) and went to see another consultant who specialises in MSA. After an extensive examination and discussion re symptoms he has told my husband he is 95% sure he DOES NOT have MSA but Parkinsons........ We are in emotional turmoil but have never been so glad to have a diagnosis of Parkinsons. He felt that all of the symptoms my husband has could be both PD or MSA i.e. there was nothing that indicated MSA specifically. I guess the message here is - get a second opinion if you are not sure, never give up hope and go with your gut instinct.
NB I also listened to the Simon Bates "our tune" and felt desolate afterwards!
After much soul searching we sought a second opinion this week (some 15 months after the first diagnosis) and went to see another consultant who specialises in MSA. After an extensive examination and discussion re symptoms he has told my husband he is 95% sure he DOES NOT have MSA but Parkinsons........ We are in emotional turmoil but have never been so glad to have a diagnosis of Parkinsons. He felt that all of the symptoms my husband has could be both PD or MSA i.e. there was nothing that indicated MSA specifically. I guess the message here is - get a second opinion if you are not sure, never give up hope and go with your gut instinct.
NB I also listened to the Simon Bates "our tune" and felt desolate afterwards!
Hello Strider
So pleased to hear that things went much better with the consultant. What he says about 95% sure that it is not MSA fits in with what I have been told by my Neuro.
I am still going for other tests but am feeling fine on the Madopar at present.
Topsy
So pleased to hear that things went much better with the consultant. What he says about 95% sure that it is not MSA fits in with what I have been told by my Neuro.
I am still going for other tests but am feeling fine on the Madopar at present.
Topsy
Good morning everyone,
Just to let you know that I had a friend that was treated for PD for almost twenty years and it was only after she died and left her brain to the tissue bank that her husband was told that it was MSA and not PD she had so you can see it is a difficult area for them to make a diagnosis. My friend did manage on quite a small dose of dopamine so maybe that is another sign who knows.
best wishes
vivian
Just to let you know that I had a friend that was treated for PD for almost twenty years and it was only after she died and left her brain to the tissue bank that her husband was told that it was MSA and not PD she had so you can see it is a difficult area for them to make a diagnosis. My friend did manage on quite a small dose of dopamine so maybe that is another sign who knows.
best wishes
vivian
I don't want to downplay the seriousness of it, but I agree with Vivian that a diagnosis of MSA even if correct, is not always very much worse than PD. There are huge variations in prognosis, there are at least two types of the disease, and possibly other classifications that are not understood. The disease is so rare that it is difficult for the professionals to analyse populations. A large number (perhaps 10%) of PD patients actually have MSA,so in many cases the noticeable effects are similar for those with PD and MSA. Also some new research is as applicable to MSA as to PD so in the future there may be better treatments for MSA too. I would still prefer a diagnosis of PD to MSA, but it is also preferable to many other conditions. I would like to emphasise that I am not making light of MSA, but only highlighting a glimmer of hope.