Knowing My Body Helped My PD Diagnosis

As a former Division 1 athlete, and a registered physical therapist for 30 years, I knew my body pretty well.

-Janet O'Neill

I had treated many patients with Parkinson's Disease and my own mother had been diagnosed with PD in her early 70's. I knew that the slight foot drop on my left foot was indicative of some neurological dysfunction. I knew that when I washed my hair my left hand wasn't able to work as hard as my right. When I waved goodbye to a friend, my left hand coordination was lacking. I noticed my acute sense of smell was diminished and overall my movements were slightly slower.

I went to a local female neurologist, upon the recommendation of a friend who is a neeurologist. If you can believe it, she told me to lose weight and exercise more. I was embarrassed for her. She was ignorant. My friend, then, brought me in for NCV an EMG testing. Eventually he did order a DAT scan. Although he had diagnosed my mother years before (with my suggestion), he was not willing to make a diagnosis for me. My husband and I went to Mayo. Long store short, it wasn't until my 3rd trip to Mayo and a positive DAT scan, that I finally received an apology from the physician at Mayo, and a positive diagnosis.

My name is Janet O'Neill. I am a retired physical therapist. I am married to Joe and have a large family with five wonderful children (3 married) and 8 amazing grandchildren. I was diagnosed 5 years ago with PD. The struggle is real.