Dear Polly:
         It is good to hear from you. We welcome anything that can be done
to widen the public understanding of Parkinsonism. Just briefly. in my case,
it has taken years of enjoyment out of my life. I am now 70 years old, and
have been diagnosed since 1983. By the time I was diagnosed, I had probably
been suffering mild symptoms for 2-3 years. I went on 3 Sinemet 25/100 and
got along quite well for 2-3 years.
        I am a veterinarian, and since 1965 had worked as a Veterinary
Medical Officer
for the USDA in Northeastern Iowa. I probably made an error in judgment in
1985 when I applied for training for a supervisory position. I was promoted
and posted to our New England Area Office in Waltham, Ma. for two years in
which I learned that I did not have the ideal temperament to be a
supervisor;nevertheless on completion of my 2 year training assignment,  I
applied for positions in Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas, was chosen for the
position at Topeka, Kansas. During 1987-88   for a year or so held the job
but felt increasingly unable to do a days work. I applied for and  received
a disability retirement. My biggest problem as I recall was  just a fading
away of my pep and mental ability earlier and earlier in the day. Some
nights the trip home from the office found me in less than ideal condition
for the drive. We were having adverse publicity in our Animal Care Program;
and I felt that I was not getting to exercise my judgment to make needed
corrections.
        I had to settle for less than a full retirement check because my
disability pension was figured on a shorter period of time. I needed to work
until 60 years of age to receive a regular retirements was 2 years short.
        We were  conservative minded and had paid cash for our home when we
moved to Topeka. My wife worked in the Kansas State legislature during the
session and helped our finances considerably.
        We made a good decision to see Dr. Kola at the University of Kansas
when he set up a clinic for Parkinsonians at Storemont-Vale Regional Medical
Center in Topeka. Through this contact, I was selected to be one of the
first five patients to receive the Pallidal Stimulation operation for
alleviation of Parkinson's . It has allowed me to function and retain my
drivers license,  It was disappointing to me that my medications could not
be lowered after surgery, but my  dyskinesia was practically eliminated.
Dyskinesia is involuntary movements of mostly left leg and arm  in my case.
They can become very uncomfortable. I am going on my 5th year with my
original battery powered pace-maker like devices. I am told that they could
operate at least 33 months  more after having them checked in March. The
devices are implanted under the skin below each collar-bone. It will be
minor surgery to replace them when they do cease operation.

           At the present time, I take 12 Carbidopa-Levodopa  25/100 mostly
dissolved in water and 7 Permax 0.25 mg tabs, and Tasmar 200 mg.3x  daily
for Parkinson's and A urologist has prescribed  Hytrin and  Detrol for
relief of urine retention and difficulty in getting a stream going at night.
In addition take Seroquel and Florineff daily under my movement specialist
orders. The first is to induce  a better state of mind and the second to
raise my blood pressure.

During the last few weeks of hot weather my blood pressure has been low
causing me to feel faint and collapsed on sidewalk getting into Med Center.

        You have my permission to use any of my comments as long as you do
not identify me by name. Please notify me when you receive
this.Cordially,Bill OLson
----- Original Message -----
From: "Polly Vestal" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2000 6:24 AM
Subject: please help- information needed


> I am a senior attending Elk Valley High School located in Longton Kansas.
In
> my Adv. Biology class we are to choose a topic and write an essay. I have
> chosen Parkinson. Through joining the list server it has opened my eyes to
a
> world that before now I didn't know existed. I would first like to thank
you
> for allowing me to look in on a part of your lives by reading all the
> e-mails. And if anyone would be interested it would be much appreciated if
> you could send me more information concerning PD. Scientific as well as
> personal would be so helpful. Not only could this benefit me, but it will
> help get the message out to others.
> Thank you,
> Polly R. Vestal
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