Wait times for people wading through the Parkinson’s diagnosis process remain long and that’s a continuing concern for the Parkinson Society of NL.

Parkinson’s is a degenerative neurological condition that primarily affects motor function. There is no cure, but there are therapies and drugs available to help people cope with the disease.

Executive Director Derek Staubitzer says early signs like anxiety, depression and loss of smell, often begin years before a patient might notice that first tremor in their finger or arm.

The problem, says Staubitzer, is that there is a long lag in finally getting that diagnosis from a neurologist.

He says two, three or even four years can elapse between when a patient sees their family doctor, and finally getting to see a neurologist for a formal diagnosis.

Staubitzer calls that delay significant. “Apart from the stress and anxiety of not knowing what you have, you’re also then not being able to avail of the medications and various therapies that are available to help you cope with the disease.”