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By Mayo Clinic staffBecause progressive supranuclear palsy is diagnosed by your signs and symptoms, bring a list of any symptoms you're experiencing to your appointment. Write down any unusual symptoms you've noticed — even if you don't think they're related to your condition. To help your appointment run smoothly, it's also a good idea to write down any questions you have for your doctor ahead of time.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, as well. He or she may ask:
- Have you experienced problems with balance or walking?
- Do you find it difficult to see below you, for example seeing your plate when eating?
- Do you have trouble speaking or swallowing?
- Have your movements felt stiff or shaky?
- Have you experienced any troubling mood changes?
- When did you first begin experiencing these symptoms?
- Have these symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
- Does anything seem to improve or worsen these symptoms?
- What, if any, treatments have you tried?
- NINDS progressive supranuclear palsy information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/psp/psp_htm?css=print. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Progressive supranuclear palsy fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/psp/detail_psp.htm?css=print. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Karceski S. Progressive supranuclear palsy. Neurology. 2008;71:e70.
- Borroni B, et al. Tau forms in CSF as a reliable biomarker for progressive supranuclear palsy. Neurology. 2008;71:1796.
- PSP: Some answers. Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. http://www.psp.org/doc_library/1217970611/Some%20Answers.pdf. Accessed Jan.18, 2009.
- Treatments for progressive supranuclear palsy. Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders. http://www.wemove.org/psp/psp_tre.html. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Josephs KA, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of progressive supranuclear palsy in the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy brain bank. Movement Disorders. 2003;18:1018.
- Josephs, KA. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 21, 2009.