Questions to ask my GP
If you think you may have Parkinson's, find out how best to prepare for a GP appointment and what questions to ask.
Before the appointment write down what you want to talk about and what you want to get from the appointment.
This can help if you are feeling anxious or worried, and can help you remember the questions you want to ask.
Things to talk about during the appointment
Do your symptoms get worse at certain times? How do they affect your day-to-day life?
Write down anything else that you think your GP needs to know, such as any medication you’re taking.
During the appointment your GP will ask you questions about your mental and physical health. Try and be as honest as possible. Give them as much detail as you can about how you’re feeling and what your symptoms are.
Remember you can take someone with you to an appointment for support, such as a close friend or family member.
Only a Parkinson's specialist doctor can diagnose Parkinson's. Your GP should not diagnose you, or start you on any Parkinson's medication. The GP should refer you to a specialist if they think you may have Parkinson's.
The specialist will ask you more detailed questions and do some simple tests to investigate your symptoms.
A GP can't diagnose or start you on Parkinson's medication. But a GP can:
- give advice on things like sleep or stress
- pass your details on to a talking therapy service if you are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed
Appointments last around 10 minutes. For some people this is not enough time. When you make your appointment, ask for a longer appointment if you think you will need more time.
The GP will write down what you talk about in your appointment. This will include your symptoms and any treatment they give you or offer to you. The GP will record this on your medical notes. Your notes will be kept confidential (this means they should not pass them on to anyone else unless you agree or it is necessary to).
Last updated July 2020. We review all our information within 3 years. If you'd like to find out more about how we put our information together, including references and the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at [email protected]
Magazine
Are you concerned that you, or someone you know, may have Parkinson’s? It’s always best to talk to your GP first and they can refer you to a specialist if your symptoms need further investigation.
Tremors, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement are all common early symptoms of Parkinson's – but there are also other signs to be aware of.
Many health professionals and services now offer phone and video calls for your appointments.
If you’re new to phone or video appointments, understanding how best to prepare for them will help you get the most out of them.
Dr Alistair Church is a GP who specialises in neurology and movement disorders, including Parkinson’s. We find out more about his day-to-day work.