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Sharon, Sorry it has taken me so long to respond, but we were out of town for a week, and I am still trying to get through all of my mail. I also live in Columbia. I was diagnosed with PD 9 years ago last November at the age of 50. I will be 60 in August. I see Dr. Burger who is a Neurologist at the University. Several members of our PD Support Group see Dr. Asher, a neurologist whose office is in the building just to the north of Columbia Regional Hospital. I would suggest you encourage your father to see a neurologist. There are many medications available to treat PD. With medication and rest, I have been able to keep my PD fairly under control. I retired on disability in February 1998, and have done much better since then. We do have a Parkinsons Support Group here in Columbia. We meet the first Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in the Senior Center on the Business Loop. If you would like, I can have him and/or you added to the mailing list so that you will get notices of the meetings. If you would like, I would be happy to visit with you and/or your father. Please let me know if I can be of any help to you. My phone number is 573-445-6524 and my e-mail address is [log in to unmask] Mary Watkins -----Original Message----- From: Sharon Nelson <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Friday, April 07, 2000 9:30 AM Subject: Need advice for my father >Hello Everyone-- > >About 3 years ago my dad, who is 74, began to have slight tremors in his >right hand. They bothered him only occasionally but have gotten >progressively worse. As time has passed, he has noticed other symptoms >which I understand Parkinson's associated--like having unexplained body >ache similar to the flu, a general slowing down of movement such as >walking, eating; and a tilt forward when he is walking. > >About 6 months ago he visited his general practitioner about the symptoms, >who did a brief exam, said the symptoms were likely attributed to >Parkinson's, but his advice was to let it go and see how it progresses. He >said it wasn't appropriate to begin any treatment at this point, that it >should wait until the symptoms worsened. > >I have read that sometimes beginning medication early can slow the >progression of the disease, but I'm not sure how to interpret this >information. > >Can you give me any advice as to whether it is appropriate that Dad should >take a wait-and-see approach? > >Would medication benefit him at this point? He is definitely affected by >the disease, but he is functioning "OK". > >I've suggested he see a specialist, but he wants to follow doctor's >instructions. If he sees a specialist, is the best a neurologist? > >Does anyone know a good specialist in the Columbia, Missouri area? > >Thanks ever so much. >Sharon Nelson >Columbia Public Schools >Columbia Area Career Center >1500 Vandiver Dr., Suite 109 >Columbia, MO 65202 >Phone: 573-884-4074 >FAX: 573-884-3665