Hi Rick Don't know if I count, since I'm an enthusiastic but clumsy amateur musician whohas never performed in public except for once when I left the window open, and a spot of busking (people give me money in the hope I'll shut up and go away !) .The shaking does lessen considerably when absorbed in playing, though a concertina sounds very odd when playedwhile shaking.
 Last time I bothered to count I owned 49 instruments (bit of Mirapexin obsession sneaked in there.) Amanda > Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2013 06:16:06 -0500
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Musical people with Parkinson's
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> Hello, everyone. 
> 
>  
> 
> I'll start with a re-introduction, since I've mostly been lurking the last
> few years. My name is Rick McGirr. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
> in 2001 and have been a perpetual pill-popper ever since. I don't know how
> many different drugs I have tried, but it has to be at least a dozen. I
> presently take Sinemet 50/200 and Stalevo 150 mg three times per day, and
> Parcopa as needed, most typically when I am in the middle of my more active
> days. I also take vitamins and fiber supplements. And how could I forget
> those wonderful anti-depressants?
> 
>  
> 
> I would like to strike up a conversation among those of you who might
> classify yourselves as musicians at any level, amateur or professional. I am
> a lifelong musician, and have been playing piano and other keyboard
> instruments professionally since graduating from high school in 1971. I
> developed my playing to a high level, and have had a certain amount of my
> skills taken from me by PD over the last ten years. I continue to play in
> public, but I don't move as much equipment, or play as often or as far away
> as I used to. 
> 
>  
> 
> My motives in starting this conversation are to compare notes regarding the
> ways PD affects your musicianship, to talk about difficulties peculiar to
> musicians with PD, to learn what techniques and accommodations you use in
> the process of performing in public, and especially to meet musicians who
> have undergone DBS surgery. I'd like to hear what you musicians have been
> through, what you found about your technique and musicianship, and I'd like
> to find out if having the DBS surgery has helped you regain some of your
> musical skills.
> 
>  
> 
> As my symptoms continue to develop and become more difficult to deal with,
> that little voice that's always in my head speaks a little louder: "You
> could always go for DBS!" I feel like I still want to wait a long time
> before having this procedure, just to keep myself from suffering any of the
> discomforts and known side effects of DBS, but here is where I could use
> your input - am I being too cautious? Is there a big payoff in your musical
> abilities which resulted when you had the surgery? Are you less than totally
> happy about the effects of DBS surgery on your musicality? If there was
> initial improvement, was it followed by more improvement, or has your
> condition back-tracked?
> 
>  
> 
> I appreciate your consideration. Thanks in advance for your replies. 
> 
> 
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