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Hi Sue and Camilla and especially Judy, This is in referrence to the distinct possibility that you have familiae tremors or what I am familiar with, essential tremor. My mother has essential tremor which has been getting worse. Her speech is becoming affected as is her walk. Like PD, it is not diagnosed by a Cat, MRI, blood tests or any DNA test. Unlike PD you can not offer sinemet to determine if it is PD. It has a similarity but its tremor is worse when one exerts at all. My mother most likely had the symptoms years before she noticed it as they can be subtle. I know there is a distinction between familae tremor and essential tremor one being within the family and one seeming to be isolated. There are medications for it and I would think that any good neuro would begin a course of treatment for you. By the way Judy, there is a national association here based at the University of Kansas for essential tremor information. It has a mailed newsletter and it must have online information too. If I had your email address I would send it to you once I contact my mother for the information. *seattle* Audrey friend of pwp aussie John 48/42/38?? ----- Original Message ----- From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 8:57 AM Subject: Re: PD Med's Question > Hi Sue--- I agree with Barb and Murray re: the importance of a neuro who is > really knowledgeable re: PD. While there are a number of conditions that > include tremor as a symptom, the PD "resting tremor" is distinctive, and > should be recognizable. There are other physical things, like gait, > "cogwheeling" of arm, mini-handwriting, etc. that are also significant for > PD. And there is at present NO test that is definitive---not CAT scans, > MRI, etc,which though they may be used to RULE OUT other brain conditions > do not diagnose PD--and I really never heard of DNA tests for that either! > > I'm also inviting you to join the CARE list for CGs of PWPs, some 360+ > folks who can be helpful and supportive as you care for your mother. Since > you may have joined PIEN list since I posted about CARE, please email me if > you want to join. Glad you found this list--there are many other resources > and,as was said, "no dumb questions" ! > > >Evening all. What a strange world? I have been sitting here all day, > >absorbing the list news/chat and hanging on your words of wisdom ... > >discussion. It is so comforting. Thank you SO much for those who responded > >to the start of my 1000 questions. Your support is so ... comforting (i'll > >wear the word out if i'm not careful!) > >love to you all > >sue > > SNIPPED > > Camilla Flintermann, CG for Peter 81/70/55 > Oxford, Ohio > http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/camilla/one.htm > <[log in to unmask]> > > also, on PDWebring at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm > > > "Ask me about the CARE list for > Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! " >