Rick,

Welcome. I am sorry that you are having PD symptoms and need to join the list
but I am glad you found us.

I am not familiar with the statistics that your neurologist quoted and I think
barring other  obvious causes like a side effect of certain psychiatric
medications the likelihood of the symptoms that you list being PD is high.
There are some PD lookalikes but they tend to be relatively rare (+usually more
severe and less treatable than PD.  There are other medications available which
can forestall the need for Sinemet.  Where are you located?  I usually suggest
that people who are seeing a general neurologist at least have a consultation
with a subspecialist in movement disorders.  People on he list can direct you to
competent doctors in your area.  The treatment of PD is changing so rapidly that
often non-pd specialists cannot keep-up with the PD info and all the other
things they are expected to treat.

Again, welcome

Good luck

Charlie

Rick Hermann wrote:
>
> Hi everyone.
>
> I've been reading now for several weeks while I have been trying to get a
> diagnosis from my neuruologist, who has been calling my condition
> parkinsonism--right hand resting tremor and rigidity/slowness of movement,
> weird feeling of having to consciously move my legs to maintain a normal
> gait, poor balance (no falls), problems with complex mental stuff, like
> project planning at work, intermittent depression (although on 40mg Paxil).
> Yesterday the neuro started me on Sinemet 50/200 to see what the response
> would be; I  my first dose this morning, but so far nothing noticeable.
>
> I guess I'm in my being scared mode today.My symptoms have been coming on
> for about 3 years now, very slow progression, so neuro is  not saying
> "Parkinson's Disease" but Parkinsonism. Parkinson's disease, he says,
> progresses rapidly and becomes bilateral quickly. Also says that only1/200
> of people with parkinsonism have true Parkinson's Disease, and that
> parkinsonism can have a number of causes and is mimicked by other
> neurodegenerative diseases.  So I'm confused today too.
>
> And concerned about whether the meds will help. I've let go of what seems
> to me like a lot over the last 3 years--guitar playing, my ability to smell
> things, handwriting... And I know that many have let go of a lot more. But
> I grieve this loss and am desperate to hang on to the many things I still
> have that bring joy.
>
> Being at work semifunctional is very isolating. I'd like to join in with
> this cybergroup, get and hopefully give support. Am I in the right place,
> even with a somewhat inconclusive diagnosis?
>
> I like what Don said earlier today: about "only" having PD. What a great
> perspective.
>
> Best to all,
>
> Rick
> [log in to unmask]

--

CHARLES T. MEYER, M.D.
Middleton, WI
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