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Hello Ernie,
I recognize many of the symptoms you describe. The only difference with =
you is that I stopped all medication 6 months ago. My problem is that =
since I was diagnosed PD, I can hardly write, with no moments of =
'better' writing at all.
My writing is in block-letters, whereas my signature is not. My =
signature, now, is the only thing I sometimes manage to place as if I =
have no impediments at all.=20
When I confronted my specialist with this phenomenon, he told me that =
writing block-letters actually means: start writing, stop writing, start =
writing, etc...: the classical PD prerogative.=20
I also noticed that when the moment comes nearer I have to place my =
signature , my anxiousness of failing increases; thus making it almost =
impossible to=20
place my signature.
This is sustained by the notion that after a couple of drinks I care =
less and consequently perform better in placing my signature.
This seems to imply that part of the success is in the mind, at least =
with me.
For the rest I can tell you that the most embarrassing thing of my PD is =
the inability to write. I prefer to tell people I have a tennis-arm =
rather than telling them I have PD. Reason is that almost everybody =
knows (or thinks to know) what a tennis-arm is but almost nobody knows =
why PD should affect your handwriting. And when there is a queue behind =
you, I'm not volunteering in giving a lecture on PD.=20
I've scanned into the computer my signature (from the good old days), so =
I can write letters, send faxes using my digital signature. I'm also =
thinking of making a name-stamp of my signature so I can in public =
underwrite forms and bills. I only wonder if it is a legal replacement =
in documents like passports and driving licenses.
I hope this helps a little in understanding your own predicament.
Regards and all the best,

        =20

        Jan Rolff




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From:   Ernie Peters[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Tuesday, September 17, 1996 19:46 PM
To:     Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN
Subject:        Does anyone have these symptoms?

Hi Folks,

I am having a frustrating period and wondered if anyone has experienced
similar symptoms to mine.

---- snip ----
Now here is the part that prompted the title and on which I would be
grateful for your comments and experiences because it is really getting =
to
me.  I can hardly write AT ALL when really "off" and struggle like mad =
to
get one signature on paper. The actual writing is VERY tiny and =
painfully
slow to perform.  But, at the same "off" time I can throw and catch a =
ball,
handle a cup and saucer and even swing a golf club and connect properly =
with
the ball.  All these last examples can be carried out in a way that =
would
not suggest I had a problem to an onlooker or even myself.
---- snip ----

Just one more thing, and apologies if I bore you.  This morning the =
postman
came early with a parcel.  I woke from deep sleep, cancelled our touch =
pad
burglar alarm, rushed down stairs, worked all the bolts and found the =
right
keys on the key bunch,and, after coming back upstairs with heart still
pounding filled a sheet of paper with firm strong writing.  This is =
14hrs
since the last tablet.  Strange? Or do others find the same?

I know I can manage without writing but it is because the other =
movements
are OK that I get so frustrated when I am brought up short unable to =
write.
I am starting to worry about presenting my Visa card now!

To those of you who patiently read what I actually intended to be a =
fairly
short request for confirmation that others also had this problem thanks, =
it
seems to have relieved me just relating this, but I would really be
interested in other people's experiences concerning the matter of being =
able
to do most things except WRITE.  All for now.

Ernie.


Ernie Peters ([log in to unmask])



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