Well done, and keep up the good work. You are writing for all of us. We
need uyou.
Hilary Blue

----------------------------------------------------------------------

William Heitman wrote:
>
> List,
> I have just finished editing Marling's story.  I thought you might like a look
> at it.  I think this will fly.
> Marling, I hope you don't mind.
> Here it is:
>
> Does the American Public know the truth about Parkinson's Disease (PD)? Isn't
> it an old person's disease with a tremor? I'm not even 50, do I need to worry?
>
> PD is a progressive disorder of one small area of the brain, Its effects are
> on the neuro-muscular system.  PD usually has four main features: 1] rigidity
> or stiffness of the body, 2] hand tremor, 3] slow and less spontaneous
> movement; and 4] loss of balance.  Other symptoms include quite a list:
> depression, confusion, speech and swallowing difficulty, drooling, dizziness,
> impotence, urinary frequency and constipation.
> It isn't inherited or "catching".  An unrecognized environmental toxin
> combined with a genetic defect may be the cause.  The cause is not known.
> Research is centered upon a small but important part of the brain called the
> substantia nigra (SN) where nerve cells die early.  Cells in other brain areas
> are not affected.
>
> If you are 25, 35, or 45, could you have PD?
>
> According to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, about one million
> people in the US have PD and approximately 20 new cases per 100,000 people get
> it every year.  The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) asks
> questions about Alzheimer's and other disorders, but not PD.  A Parkinson's
> Disease Handbook says that except for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), more Americans
> have PD than the next four degenerative neurological disorders put together.
> PD has been thought to be an old peoples disease (onset over 60).in the past,
> but now the average age for diagnosis is 57.  Often the person with PD (PWP)
> has had undiagnosed symptoms for years.  This means the average onset is
> younger.  Many are much younger.
>
> I experienced a variety of strange symptoms for approximately ten years.
> After an exhausting two year search and an extensive work-up, I was told that
> I was an overweight , middle aged, female , and that I was just complaining.
> I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and had surgery on both wrists.  I
> had very severe Clinical Depression (CD).  When I developed a hand tremor, my
> GP sent me to a neurologist.  At 46 years of age, the neurologist said I had
> PD, and that I probably had it for at least 10 years.
>
> When the PD medicine Sinemet relieved my symptoms, the diagnosis was
> confirmed.   I had PD.  My "old persons disease" had started at 36!
>
> My story illustrates two large problems:
> .  One is public ignorance of PD.  Most people think of a PWP as a somewhat
> slow moving older person with a tremor.  Not a big deal.  However, in young
> and old, alike, PD is uncomfortable!
>
> The second ,Ignorance among doctors is worse.  "Doctors commonly misdiagnose
> young onset PD because the patient is "too young" to have PD.  Often, years
> later, the patient responds to PD meds and the diagnosis is changed.
>
> We need better statistics on PD, and the NCHS needs to gather them.  Then all
> of this ignorance could be cured.
> Marling McReynolds
> 493 words (excluding these )
>
> Regards,
> WHH 55/19