Parkinson’s is a difficult condition to diagnose: not only is there no specific test for Parkinson’s, the symptoms vary widely, and are similar to a number of other illnesses.

This means misdiagnosis is possible, or achieving a diagnosis can take multiple appointments over several years.

Despite these issues, if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of Parkinson’s, it’s important to see a doctor quickly, because an early diagnosis means earlier treatment, which can be more effective at controlling symptoms.

You might also find it helpful to fill out the Wellbeing Map before your appointment.

Early stages of diagnosis

Early stages of the diagnosis might include:

  • Taking a thorough medical history
  • A physical examination, including testing for symptoms like rigidity and slowness of movement
  • Discussing your symptoms
  • Asking you to write, draw, walk and speak
  • Testing your sense of smell
  • Blood tests to rule out other conditions

Your doctor may then prescribe Parkinson’s medicines –if you respond well to this treatment, it would tend to confirm a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, whereas conditions with similar symptoms may not respond as well.

Scans for Parkinson’s

There are also several scans that can be carried out to distinguish Parkinson’s from other conditions with similar symptoms. These include:

CT (Computerised Tomography) scan

This technique involves X-rays being passed through the body from different angles to build up cross-section pictures of the brain. It may help to rule out vascular disease and tumours as the cause of Parkinson’s-like symptoms.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan

This uses magnetic charges rather than X-rays to form images of the brain or other parts of the body. It may help to distinguish Parkinson’s from Parkinson’s-like conditions such as PSP and MSA.

DaTSCAN™-SPECT scan

This scan is used to identify loss of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain, which leads to Parkinson’s. It can be used to distinguish Parkinson’s from conditions with similar symptoms, such as Essential Tremor.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan

This imaging technique can be used to help diagnose Parkinson’s, but as it is more expensive and not as readily available as SPECT, it is mainly used in research.

New imaging techniques are being developed and research is also underway into new blood and skin tests that can detect Parkinson’s, but it may be some years before these become available. It is also hoped that a reliable smell test may be developed, as loss of smell is one of the earliest signs of Parkinson’s.

Genetic testing for Parkinson’s

Current research shows that in most cases Parkinson’s is not hereditary.

There are likely to be certain genes that predispose an individual to developing Parkinson’s, but only 5% of cases can currently be linked to a genetic cause, and they usually also involve an external trigger, such as environmental chemicals.

Genetic testing for several Parkinson’s genes is now quite widely available, but think carefully before pursuing this: it can have implications for other family members, and also cause unnecessary worry in those who never go on to develop the condition.

If you want to find out more about genetic testing your doctor should be able to put you in contact with a reputable specialised genetics health professional.

Just diagnosed

Everyone’s experience with diagnosis is different. For some, receiving a Parkinson’s diagnosis may almost be a relief as they finally have a reason for the symptoms they have been experiencing. For others, the diagnosis may be met with a sense of disbelief, shock or ‘why me?’.

It may be hard to absorb a lot of information initially, and it is usually a good idea to see your doctor again a couple of weeks after your diagnosis and ask any followup questions you may have thought of. It may be helpful to take a partner or friend to this appointment for support.

It will take time to come to terms with your diagnosis and it is natural to feel anxious about the future, but it is possible to have a good quality of life, simply by embracing some lifestyle changes:

  • Accept change, adapt and look after yourself

    It might be frustrating to do things like decreasing your activity levels. But adapting how you travel, spend leisure time, and your diet means you can continue to lead a fulfilling, happy and good quality life.

  • Stay positive

    There is no doubt that a positive outlook, with a determination to overcome obstacles, will help you adapt to life with Parkinson’s and, given time, you will be able to continue pursuing the activities and relationships that make your life enjoyable and meaningful.

  • Be informed and take an active role in your treatment

    Finding out about Parkinson’s and the various treatment options helps some people to feel more in control. This knowledge will enable you to have a meaningful discussion with your care team and will help you to ask questions and understand the decisions you will make with your doctor.

Remember that only you know how you feel, so be aware of your body and don’t be afraid to ask for the help you need.

Parkinson’s progression

Parkinson’s progression is usually quite gradual, with symptoms slowly growing worse over time.

Symptoms and responses to treatment vary from person to person, so it is not possible to accurately predict how Parkinson’s will progress. For some people it may take many years for the condition to develop, for others it may take less time.

A number of rating scales are used to measure progression in Parkinson’s, for example the Hoehn and Yahr scale which categorises the severity of motor symptoms based on how they affect an individual’s mobility.