Perfect example: after 1 1/2 years and 3 neurologists later I was told that I was at stage 4 with 31 symptoms and less than a year to live and i don'trememberthelast6 months. I then found a movement disorder specialist neurologist, she took me off of amantadine and in 1 week I only had 6 symptoms and I was in stage 1 and I am not dying. I also went from 12 Parkinson's medications to now I am at 5 with less symptoms. Also I was told by a doctor that she knows more than the doctors do. I was being over medicated by doctors and new one is a nurse practioner. She literally saved my life. I only recommend MDS Specialist because of my experience

These are all great responses and I couldn't agree more. A neurologist is more of a generalist in neurological disorders. An MDS is a neurologist with additional specialized training in neurological based movement disorders so may be more aware of new treatments and research in movement disorders but this is a very personal decision to be made based on the the patient's sense of satisfaction of the care and support they are receiving. I know my situation is unique but if I had nt switched to an MDS, I would still be getting treatment for PD which after 9 yrs and 4 neurologists I found I do not have PD. This misdiagnoses was detected by the MDS. The dopamine withdraw and attempts to get my body to begin making its own dopamine after 9 yrs of suppression has been a nightmare but this too will pass and then I can focus on addressing my new and correct diagnosis and treatment. I am forever grateful for the MDS and am trying to develop patience with the process while not being annoyed by the bias of the 4 neurologists that took me through a 9 yr unnecessary journey with PD and dopamine treatment. Now I'm focused on getting through this dopamine withdraw and restarting my body's ability to produce its own dopamine.
Maria

I have both a Neurologist & a Movement Disorder Specialist. They work together since I decided to see a MDS in addition to my Neurologist. She immediately changed my meds from 3 pills 3times a day 8 hrs apart to 3 pills 5 hrs apart & added a 4th dose.
From what I was told a Neurologist continues for a number of years more learning & focusing totally on Parkinson’s & other movement disorders, deeper into the meds & dosages, DBS & all things Parkinson’s. They know more about it than Neurologist because they continue their education into Parkinson’s & other Movement Disorders. I haven’t explained it any better than the others, but I wanted to tell you from my experience. 🙃

I'm happy with my Neurologist and I don't have movement symptoms. I'm staying with her.

Some neurologist have not gone through Movement training. I was told this is why you would want one that is also trained as a movement doctor, because movement doctors work strictly with Parkinson disease. My first doctor explained this to me as she was a neurologist but had gone through training to be a Movement doctor as well.