Krista,

The various states in death certificates give cause of death.  Last week a
member of our support group died as a result lack of oxygen caused by of
choking on food. He has had serious swallowing problems caused by
Parkinson's for some while. What is the cause of death? I have not seen his
death certificate. Some states have the option of naming several causes of
death.

Pneumonia [bacterial] is common with PD. We inhale food particles as a
result of incomplete control of the epiglottis.  We have lost several
members as the result of falls caused by balance problems associated with  -
you guessed it.  Our breathing ability is reduced by inability to control
the muscles in the  chest wall.

I took over the "job" of running our local support group/chapter a little
over ten years ago. Of the original group there are only two of us left. I
am still be to function most of the time enough to get a few things done.
The other survivor, Juanita, has been in an assisted living / nursing home
for over 5 years.  Our life expectancy is only slightly less than the
average population - which includes all non-institutionally confined people.
Before the middle 1960s our death rates were much worse.  The introduction
of levodopa  [Sinemet] made a substantial difference.  Without Sinemet I am
sure I would be pushing up daisies now [current age 69 - first symptom 1971,
diagnosed 1991].


Will Johnston, Phd, CLU




----- Original Message -----
From: "Krista Schnell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 10:43 AM
Subject: Re: A phenomenon, or just me?, Causes of death?


> Hello,
> I had a quick question for you or anyone out there;
> It is my understanding that Parkinson's is NOT fatal.  When you mention
that
> the "death rate from Parkinson's is going up", what do you mean by that?
>
> Forgive my ignorance.  All the resources that I have researched state that
> Parkinson's alone is not a cause of death.  Am I incorrect?
>
> Thank you,
> Peace.
> -Krista
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: WILL JOHNSTON [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 8:30 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: A phenomenon, or just me?, Causes of death?
>
>
> Jeff & Carol, Others
>
> 1. Lifestyles which are considered unhealthful  may be a cause of EARLY
> death reported as heart attack, stroke, shot by irate spouse, etc.
>
> 2. Lifestyles which are considered unhealthful may be the RESULT of
disease
> rather than the cause. Last month I was kicked out of a cardiac-pulmonary
> exercise program at our local hospital because my sudden losses of
> coordination / dexterity /muscle control / balance  could result in a
> dangerous fall - and possible liability for the hospital. Parkinson's
> symptoms are the cause the increased probability of falling. Exercise
> definitely makes my PD symptoms come on more quickly.
>
> 3.  We are mortals.  We will all die of something.  The death rate from
> Parkinson's is going up now.  As cures for heart problems, various
cancers,
> etc.  [temporary fixes which will keep the person alive longer it takes
for
> that particular problem to reoccur - long enough to have some other
> recognizable malady end life first] our probability of dying from PD goes
up
> only goes up - but our deaths will be delayed. "Cures" for other diseases
> increase the number and percentage of deaths from PD. A real cure for PD
> will probably never be found, but maybe a long temporary fix will be found
> which will keep us symptom free until we die from something else.
>
> Will Johnston
> DelMarVa Chapter A.P.D.A.
> Salisbury MD USA 21804
> 410-543-0110
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Carole K. Menser" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 3:42 PM
> Subject: Re: A phenomenon, or just me?
>
>
> > Yes, Jeff, I believe you are correct when you say that the leading
> > cause
> of
> > death is really not heart disease, stroke, heart attack and so on but
> these
> > are the consequences of our own actions.  The major diseases we see
> > today
> in
> > this country were virtually unheard of 100 years ago.  Lifestyle must
> > be
> the
> > culprit.  What else?
> >
> > C.M.  :-)
> >
>
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