Having been a member of this list for a couple of months I should introduce m
yself especially since my son, Allan, who introduced me to this list, commented
 o
n 11 Feb, 94, "He has promised to send in his story as soon as he can slow
 down."
 So here goes!
   Barbara Patterson, I sincerely appreciate list PARKINSN, especially  since
 the
re is no support group in this immediate area. The list helps fill the void.
   I am 69, a retired professor of biology at Alfred University where I taught
 fo
r 35 years. About 1980 I became aware of tremor in my right hand that was
 interfe
ring with some of my teaching activities, especially at the blackboard where my
 w
riting went uphill and ended in a scrawl. A diagnosis of PD was subsequently
 conf
irmed after a battery of tests at the University of Miami's PD clinic.
   Treatment was started with benadryl, then amantidine, then artane, all of
 whic
h reduced the tremor somewhat but resulted in side effects. With amantidine skin
mottling occurred--not a problem--but symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon affecting
both my hands and feet during the winter was. (Have any of you experienced
 this?)
. Artane caused dry mouth that made lecturing uncomfortable. Parsidol along with
Sinemet 25-100 three times a day improved the tremor but dry mouth and muscle
 cra
mps continued, and "off" periods were common. Current medication, Sinemet CR
 50-2
00 three times a day plus one half of a Sinemet 25-100 at the 7 AM dose--to
 "jump
-start" the process, along with 2.5 mg of eldepryl at morning and noon, improved
the situation. Even though "off" periods and stiffness still occur they are less
of a problem. I have never suffered from nausea from Sinemet, as many of you
 have
, but heartburn is common.
   Overall I have experienced only moderate progression of PD over time, and
 invo
lvement is still principally with my right hand and arm (I am right-handed). I
 ca
n do almost everything I wish to do without assistance, though I often have to
 wa
it a while to do it. I persist in being both physically and mentally active and
 i
nvolved. To date I have never fallen. In comparing myself with others who have
 ha
d a more stressful experience I consider myself to be very fortunate.
   I now realize that at the beginning I showed symptoms of depression (sound
 fam
iliar?) which puzzled my wife, Elzada, and concerned my colleagues in whom I
 init
ially found it difficult to confide. When I finally broke that barrier things
 bec
ame much easier for all concerned. I feel that I am reconciled to my situation
 an
d fully appreciate what the future may hold. Elzada is--and has been--fully
 suppo
rtive, and that helps. In fact, since her coronary bypass surgery six months ago
mutual support and a careful shared regimen of diet and exercise have
 strengthene
d our marriage.
   Like many of you I was reared in a rural environment. As a child I suffered a
 concussion from a fall from a haymow onto a concrete floor. As a biologist  I
 ha
ve had contacts with innumerible organic and inorganic reagents, especially
 prese
rvatives like phenol and formaldehyde. I have spent many hours with my hands in
 p
hotographic processing chemicals. Two paternal uncles and an aunt had PD.
 Heredit
y or environment, or both?
   You have all been helpful to me. I hope I, too, can make a contribution.
Gaylord Rough([log in to unmask])  88 S. Main St.,Alfred, NY 14802.
 607-587
-9161.