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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