This is my first foray onn the forum, therefore some background may help. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in late 2006, soon after my wife and I moved permanently to Brittany. I was 63 at the time. Health care in France has been exceptional. I receive 6 monthly check-ups at Rennes hospital which specialises in Parkinson's and I also benefit from having a caring GP.
Of late, I have experienced what can be best described as involuntary "gulping", by which I mean a sort of reflux reaction to what I think is stress, but on reflection, my stress levels are pretty low. I have few problems swallowing, albeit it does happen infrequently.
If any of you can throw some light on this, it would be much appreciated.

Hello djjkeriffe and welcome to the site. Sorry, because I cant help you with regard to your gulping problem, however I'm sure somebody on the site will have some sort of answer for you. I just wanted to dip in to welcome you. I know that you will find support on here and you will be surprised at how much more you will learn about pd. I hope to see you around the forum and hope that somebody can assist you with your question.

regards
Glenchass

hello djjkeriffe. I do not know if this is the same as your gulping problem, but I have found that I am prone to 'belching' especially after food or physio exercises. I find it helpful to sip a fizzy drink such as ginger beer On the medication front, domperidone is supposed to prevent reflux, but you would need to talk to your doctor about this

Hello all. my husband has pd and seems to get 'hiccups' at the most odd times, usually in the middle of the night when the bed shakes.
He does take domperidone to ward off sickness so that has not helped.

hi djjkeriffe

You mentioned the good management of your PD and the six monthly check-ups. I'd be interested to know what form these check ups take at Rennes - it sounds as if they involve a bit more than the standard five minute session I have with my neuro where he says very little unless I prompt him and then suggests more medication although I've said I'm quite happy with how I am

djjkeriffe

Hi and welcome to the site
I have spoken to someone at my PD group who experienced this as a side effect of Requip. I am on Requip ( 8 mG ) but have not experienced any problem
Just thought it may be worth mentioning to see if others had the same problem.

By the way my partner was taken ill in France last year and we found the hospital care to be superb. I put a lot of this down to the lack of drunks being admitted to A&E which allowed the nurses to attend to her quickly without wasting time on people who have been fighting or intoxicated !
Kram

Hi Kram

The health care in France is excellent at all times. I took my granddaughter to the S of France when she was 9. She became seriously ill and was admitted to a hosp in Frejus.
There was no wait: within one hour she had been whole body scanned and they found a kidney stone blocking a bile duct.
This was most unlikely to have happened in Britain. Being in France undoubtably saved her life.
I think your point re drunks was extremely valid. Sometimes I need A&E care for breathing difficulties but refuse to go hosp for the very reasons you mention. I've been scared witless in the past and felt anything but cared for.

Eileenpatricia,

Rennes Hospital is a teaching hospital, which also specialises in the treatment of Parkinson's. I have been going every six months and have been fortunate to see the same specialist which helps with continuity. The session lasts as long as is necessary and normally lasted for at least 30 to 45 minutes.The nature of Parkinson's is such that, in my case, I generate the conversation initially advising Madame of how I see my current condition. Madame carries out a few basic physical checks, e.g. manipulation of my left wrist, which is always weaker than my right, walking a straight line to check my gate. The remainder of the session is a general chat listing changes, pros & cons, since the previous meeting.If Madame feels that small adjustments to the medication [Requip} we will discuss and arrive at the best solution. My wife always attends the sessions to ensure that we are not missing anything in translation from the French, albeit Madame speaks reasonably good English.
After the session, I make a appointment with my GP who will have been sent a copy of my report. Again the session with my GP will always last at least half an hour and we will run through any changes proposed by Madame. If we feel that we are unhappy with the detail, he will immediately contact her to ensure we are on the right track.
Hope this helps!

Thanks djjkeriffe for your detailed reply. Its like another planet!! As it happens I was vaguely thinking of taking a trip to France - I have contacts in Brittany and further South - but the stumbling block has been a loss of confidence. Although I am in the very early stages of PD, my imagination dreams up worst case scenarios as to what could happen whereas in fact it seems to me inapppropriate treatment is more likelyy here so your info. is very helpful.
When I mentioned to my that I was not so confident to holiday abroad alone as I used to he launched into a ramble about the change in personality that can be associated with PD which I cut short by saying "Actually I think is because I know I've got PD" which obviously had not occurred to him before !!