Shirley... It took me 7 years from the time I noticed the first oh-so-vague symptoms of what turned out to be PD till an actual diagnosis was made. From where I am today, if I was experiencing the symptoms you claim to have, I'd get myself to a movement disorder specials, preferably one associated with movement disorder team at a university which has a medical school affiliated with it. And I'd get to that movement disorder specialist as fast as in humanly possible (I'm not known for my patience with things Parkinsonian!) In fact, I'd LIE if that's what it'd take me to get an immediate appointment! I'm a adherent of the "Ya gotta do what ya gotta do" school of action! <grin> Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Edward Kleinmeyer <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Friday, January 07, 2000 12:02 PM Subject: Re: symptoms of PD/Looong Reply >Thanks Barb, I seen the neuroligist this A.M. and he said ( I don't think >tou have PD). But he could not give me any answers to questions like, why I >get chocked,why I shake,why I can't write anymore, why my chin trimbles,why >my legs and feet swell and ache,why my teeth don't fit even after I have had >them relined 6 months or so ago,why my vision has changed even after I had >them checked 1 yr. ago,why I have ringging in my ears. All he done was a >visual check, and sent me for 2 blood tests. 1 for thyroid 1 for enemea. >Your experienced with this, Please tell me if I am off base to feel less >than satisfied with this evaluation? Be honest,I'm a big girl. Thanks >Shirley >-----Original Message----- >From: Barb_MSN <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> >Date: Friday, January 07, 2000 11:49 AM >Subject: Re: symptoms of PD/Looong Reply > > >>Shirley.... >> >>I've had problems swallowing and don't have >>dentures (lotsa root canals tho) >><UGH!> >> >>In my research, I've come to the conclusion that the dental >>and throat aspects of PD are either sadly overlooked by >>the respective medical professionals who should be up >>on these type problems or they just don't know all that much >>about what's going on with the average PD patient >>vis a vis dental/throat problems (and I DO recognize these >>are two different medical modalities - however what affects >>one can so easily affect the other...) >> >>I'd like to find a savvy dental specialist whose "savviness" >>and interest leans towards helping the patient with PD. >>I'd also like to find the same with a throat and neck specialist >>(and the latter two seem tot go hand in hand in the medical >>world). >> >>So far, I've been to the best that UCLA has to offer >>(Dr. Gerald Berke) and found the medical equivalent of >>a "one trick pony, " when it comes to helping the PD patient. >> >>I was able to get collagen injections into m y vocal >>cords, however, when my body began absorbing the >>collagen within 12 hours of getting the injections (sigh) that >>was that, as far as anything else in the pipe line other than >>conventional speech therapy (been there, done that) <ditto >>the Lee Silverman speech therapy> >> >>It wasn't the MD who told me about voice amplifiers - - - >>I came across the voice amplifier I've been using myself >>(and it does the job well), however, I DO recognize that >>to be another medical "band aid" that doesn't treat or >>cure the underlying problem(s). >> >>In my case, IF I wanna be heard when I speak (And I DO!), >>I'm gonna have to settle for being "Bionic Barbie," and just >>plan on taking my voice amplifier everywhere I go.. much >>to the chagrin of my younger (31 years old) daughter who >>recently asked me if I wasn't using the amplifier to get >>attention? (OYE!!! I can sure think of other ways to get >>attention, tho I must admit that this "bionicness" HAS >>caused folks to ask me a LOT of questions about WHY >>I need the amplifier to be heard. And I DO look at that as >>an open door to do a some PD advocacy. >> >>In a rush - contractor due any minute - sorry about the typos... >> >>Barb Mallut >>[log in to unmask] >>-----Original Message----- >>From: Edward Kleinmeyer <[log in to unmask]> >>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> >>Date: Thursday, January 06, 2000 9:36 PM >>Subject: symptoms of PD >> >> >>I go to neuroligest tomorrow for testing. Thought maybe someone >>could tell me, I have been having trouble chewing and my dentures >>don't fit well any more,also I seem to be choking a lot . I have >>had my dentures relined in the last 8 months but I seem to be >>right back where I was before. Is this just another symptom? I'll >>admit that I am scared. Shirley