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Attention Parkinson’s patients and caregivers! Introducing the Parkinson’s Symptom Tracker – a valuable tool for better communication with your doctor. Stay on top of your Parkinson’s symptoms effortlessly and ensure more productive appointments. This user-friendly tracker is designed to simplify your journey towards effective management. Start monitoring and gain valuable insights with our Parkinson’s Symptom Tracker today. Take control of your health and enhance your doctor’s communication.
Parkinson’s Symptom Tracker – Pre-planning Planning Phase
Understanding Motor Symptoms to Track
- Tremors
- Involuntary shaking of one or more body parts (hand, head, leg)
- •Important details to track and mention to the doctor include:
- •Frequency
- •Severity
- •Affected body part
- •Triggers
- •Emotional Stress
- •Caffeine
- •Fatigue
- •Lack of sleep
- Dystonia
- Dystonia – “a sustained or repetitive muscle twitching, spasm or cramp that can occur at different times of the day or in different stages of Parkinson’s.” – Parkinson’s Foundation
- Important Details to Track and Mention include:
- •Specific body parts affected
- •Pain associated with movements
- Changes in posture
- Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
- Bradykinesia – Slowness of Movement
- Tremor
- Rigidity
- Stooped Posture
- Balance Issues
- •Symptoms you want to track and mention include:
- Difficulty in initiating movements – Freezing
- Bradykinesia (Slowness)
- Stiffness
- Postural Instability problems
- Changes in handwriting or smell
Parkinson’s Symptom Tracker
- •Symptom Tracker, Diary, Notebook
- •Helps you provide your physician a detailed look at when your symptoms are the worst.
- •Helps identify triggers that cause or worsen your symptoms.
- •Doesn’t have to be elaborate but should contain actionable information such as:
- •Symptom
- •Frequency
- •Severity
- •Triggers
- •How long until they resolve
- A symptom tracker will give your doctor good perspective on:
- How often you have “off periods”
- Percent of the day spent in “off periods”
- Triggers cause “off periods”
- Based on the severity of symptoms, how long you spend in “off periods” and it’s affect on the quality of your life.
- The Symptom Tracker can help your doctor decide if medications dosing times need to be adjusted, or if medications need to be changed or new medications added.
Parkinson’s Symptom Tracker –
A symptom tracker will give your doctor good perspective on:
How often you have “off periods”
Percent of the day spent in “off periods”
Triggers cause “off periods”
Based on the severity of symptoms, how long you spend in “off periods” and it’s affect on the quality of your life.
The Symptom Tracker can help your doctor decide if medications dosing times need to be adjusted, or if medications need to be changed or new medications added.
Parkinson’s Symptom Tracker – Making the Most of Your Visit
- Prioritize Your Concerns
- What are the Top 3-5 issues affecting your daily life that you would like the doctor to help you with?
- Examples
- Tremor
- Sleep issues
- Freezing
- Balance/Falling
- Speech
- Cognitive issues
- Fatigue
- Daytime Sleepiness
- Crafting Your Questions
- Write Your Questions Down!!!!
- You avoid relying on your memory
- You ensure everything you want to discuss is covered.
- Include any questions you may have for the doctor as well.
- Write down any medication side effects you have been experiencing.
- Be An Active Participant
- Share Information Clearly
- Ask Questions openly
- The doctor is there to help you live your best life. The more information you can provide the better the outcome.
- Remember, you are in charge of your health, so take advantage of the time an opportunity to help yourself.
- Bring A Support Person
- It gives you two sets of ears and ensures you are hearing the same thing.
- Your support person can take notes for you.
- Provide Moral Support
- Can help with decision making on your treatment plan
- Visit Conclusion – Clinical Visit Summary
- Clinical Summary Details
- At the conclusion of your visit, request a copy of the clinical summary from the visit.
- The clinical summary should include:
- Basic Information
- Patient name and contact information
- Date and location of the visit
- Provide name and contact information
- Reason for the visit – primary concerns
- Medical History
- Current Problems List
- Allergies & immunizations
- Medication List
- Visit Details
- Physical Examination Findings
- Diagnostic and Tests – tests ordered or performed during visit
- Discussion and Findings – outlines clinical discussions and conclusions
- Treatment Plan – agreed on next steps including medications, referrals, lifestyle changes and follow-up instructions
- Additional Information
- Prognosis and future expectations – offers a general outlook on the patients condition and anticipated cause
- Patient education resources – includes relevant resources and information on support groups
- Next Steps – clearly outlines any follow-up appointments, tests or actions needed
- •Ensure clarity on next steps and action plans – If you are being put on a new medication, dosing change or other treatments (PT, Speech Therapy), make sure you understand and ask questions about any new medications (dosing schedule, side effects, what to do if you have side effects.
- •If tests are required – understand where you need to go and when the tests need to be completed. Ask if you need referrals.
- •Ensure you understand and are comfortable with the treatment plan
- •Ask for a copy of the clinical summary for the visit.
- Additional Resource’s
Summary
Make the most of your doctor’s visit by utilizing a Parkinson’s Symptom Tracker. This helpful tool provides valuable insight into the frequency and impact of your off periods, as well as the triggers that contribute to them. By sharing this information with your doctor, they can better determine if any adjustments to your medication regimen are necessary. Enhance your communication and take control of your health with a Parkinson’s Symptom Tracker.
Learn more about my Parkinson’s Journey on the Home Page and My Life Pages
Chris Kustanbauter 2/9/2024
