Thanks to you all for responding on this.

Ken, full marks for lateral thinking.  But if ever I was faced with a
choice that made me emphatically opt for 'improper' medication this is it.
I did joke to Ernie recently that 'I need a wife,' but this is not quite
what I had in mind!  But it did make me chuckle.

Beth

>Beth, just tell him you demand a sex change operation, so you can get
>proper medicationI If he is working for an HMO and trying to save money
>by giving you cheaper meds, he'll have to realize the meds will cost his
>employers much less than the surgery! (Just kidding!)
>
>
>
>
>[OO] LOOKING FOR RADIOS!
>Ken Becker
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
>On Thu, 13 Mar 1997, Barbara Mallut wrote:
>
>> Beth... I was appalled to read that you're being  WITHHELD l-dopa!
>>(Sinemet or
>> the equivalent).  This seems like an issue of   _CONTROL_  to me, rather than
>> the practice of a responsible and caring physician.
>>
>> Since PD is a disease which effects each individual is a somewhat different
>> manner from every other individual having the disease, what possible
>> difference could I take if you were  a male, head of household, working to
>> support a wife and kids, and going to lose your job because of the disease
>> making dramatic inroads into your life?!   The disease IS terrible, and
>>you DO
>> have it, and you're YOU... This is NOT a gender issue or an occupational
>> issue, and your physician MUST be appraised of that!!
>>
>> If the MD then won't prescribe what IS the drug of choice for most
>>people with
>> PD    then get another doctor!  Even an internist or family practitioner ....
>> heck, even a PEDIATRICIAN can prescribe you Sinemet!!! (or the equivalent)
>>
>> This is NOT a "gender-related" disease, its' a HUMAN-related disease.  Your
>> life IS your life.  You'll NEVER be that male your MD has declared you not to
>> be.  You're going to be YOU for the rest of your life, and your physician
>> SHOULD be treating you with the most useful drugs for YOU... the person you
>> are, not this fantasy he THINKS should get this valuable drug!
>>
>> And Beth... don't you DARE trash your research project!  WHEN you're on the
>> right medication, and possibly also an anti-depressant,, you'll be raring to
>> finish that research and to move on with your life.
>>
>> YOU GO GIRL!!
>>
>> Sending a buncha love your way....
>>
>> Barb Mallut
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----------
>> From:   Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Elizabeth Leslie
>> Sent:   Wednesday, March 12, 1997 3:20 AM
>> To:     Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN
>> Subject:        Symmetrel
>>
>> I'm seeking a bit of guidance on this.  I've seen the neuro today.  He
>> agrees I need treatment.  He agrees l-dopa would make me fully functional.
>> He sent me away with a script for Symmetrel!  He told me it could take me 3
>> months to feel any benefit from it.  He did agree - a touch reluctantly,
>> perhaps even a little sheepishly - that if I were a guy with wife/family to
>> support and at risk of losing my job he would not withhold l-dopa.  (One
>> good thing tho' - I did find out from him how/where to get my Selegiline
>> cheaply.  That's a relief.)
>>
>> Guess what folks?  I'm not feeling so :)  Getting ready to trash my research.
>>
>> I'd really like to hear from anyone who takes/has taken this med.  And any
>> other advice you care to fling my way will be welcome.  Off-list is fine.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Beth
>>