Hi Kathi.
 
Sorry to hear about your situation.  Did the doctor explain his/her
objections to Pallidotomy?  Which reasons di he/she cite?  I would
be interestd to know, if you wouldn't mind sharing.
 
Joanna
 
On Sat, 25 Mar 1995 [log in to unmask] wrote:
 
> Jill Drohan,
>
> I read your letter on PARKINSN network and am also in a similiar situtation.
> My father, who is 69 years old, lives in Detroit, was diagnosed with PD 8
> years ago.  His mobility, ability to read, and take care of himself have
> significantly worsened in the past 4 months.  I have tried, along with a
> brother and sister, for the past 10 months, to convince my father to go to
> the Barrows Institute in Phoenix (my sister lives in Flagstaff) for a 2nd
> opinion and to find out if he is a candidate for pallidotomy.  Unfortunately,
> his neurologist has convinced both my father and step-mother that what we are
> suggesting is tatamount to a "frontal labotomy".
>
> Instead the neurologist has sugggested that my father adjust to the nursing
> home he was admitted into in January.  I'm sure that you wouldn't be
> surprised that my father's mental capcities have decreased since then and I am
>  concerned that he may also be suffering from depression.  We have been able
> to collect encouraging information on pallidotomy and other PD medications
> from medical libraries, Am. Park. Assoc. and this network.  Unfortunately,
> the neurologist is discouraging the possibillity of all of our suggestions.
>
> The only med. quals. I have read about for pallidotomy are 1) if the PD drugs
> are no longer effective and 2) patient does not have major brain damage
> ("Wall Street Journal" 2-22-95)
>
> At this point we can't wean my father away from his physician for a 2nd opinio
> n.  (A physician that convinces a patient not to get a 2nd opinion or an
> Independent Medical Exam is reason enough in my book to switch physicians.)
>  As a result,  if you are able to gather more specific information on "who"
> is a candidate for pallidotomy I would appreciate it if you could send it to
> me. I will do the same.  Best of luck to all of you and thanks for your
> help!!!
>
> Kathi Mitchell
>