Sharon,

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond, but we were out of town for a
week, and I am still trying to get through all of my mail.

I also live in Columbia.  I was diagnosed with PD 9 years ago last November
at the age of 50.  I will be 60 in August.  I see Dr. Burger who is a
Neurologist at the University.  Several members of our PD Support Group see
Dr. Asher, a neurologist whose office is in the building just to the north
of Columbia Regional Hospital.

I would suggest you encourage your father to see a neurologist.  There are
many medications available to treat PD.   With medication and rest, I have
been able to keep my PD fairly under control.  I retired on disability in
February 1998, and have done much better since then.

We do have a Parkinsons Support Group here in Columbia.  We meet the first
Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in the Senior Center on the Business
Loop.  If you would like, I can have him and/or you added to the mailing
list so that you will get notices of the meetings.

If you would like, I would be happy to visit with you and/or your father.
Please let me know if I can be of any help to you.  My phone number is
573-445-6524 and my e-mail address is [log in to unmask]

Mary Watkins

-----Original Message-----
From: Sharon Nelson <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, April 07, 2000 9:30 AM
Subject: Need advice for my father


>Hello Everyone--
>
>About 3 years ago my dad, who is 74, began to have slight tremors in his
>right hand.  They bothered him only occasionally but have gotten
>progressively worse.  As time has passed, he has noticed other symptoms
>which I understand  Parkinson's associated--like having unexplained body
>ache similar to the flu, a general slowing down of movement such as
>walking, eating; and a tilt forward when he is walking.
>
>About 6 months ago he visited his general practitioner about the symptoms,
>who did a brief exam, said the symptoms were likely attributed to
>Parkinson's, but his advice was to let it go and see how it progresses.  He
>said it wasn't appropriate to begin any treatment at this point, that it
>should wait until the symptoms worsened.
>
>I have read that sometimes beginning medication early can slow the
>progression of the disease, but I'm not sure how to interpret this
>information.
>
>Can you give me any advice as to whether it is appropriate that Dad should
>take a wait-and-see approach?
>
>Would medication benefit him at this point?  He is definitely affected by
>the disease, but he is functioning "OK".
>
>I've suggested he see a specialist, but he wants to follow doctor's
>instructions.  If he sees a specialist, is the best a neurologist?
>
>Does anyone know a good specialist in the Columbia, Missouri area?
>
>Thanks ever so much.
>Sharon Nelson
>Columbia Public Schools
>Columbia Area Career Center
>1500 Vandiver Dr., Suite 109
>Columbia, MO  65202
>Phone:  573-884-4074
>FAX:    573-884-3665