Hi all
On Sat, 28 Oct 2000, the digest contained:
>
> Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2000 18:51:16 -0400
> From: "Marjorie L. Moorefield" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Just "peeking in" for a moment to say "hi" ...
> ...
> > All of my tremors tend to get worse after any kind of stress:
> > physical (like working around the yard), emotional (like getting
> > into an argument), and even mental (like trying to solve some
> > computer programming problem). But, these leg tremors started
> > worrying me because -- at rare times -- I feel almost like my
> > legs won't support my weight. And, I stand a lot in the work
> > that I do.
> ...
> Have you checked into DBS? I'm wondering if that would help you
> eliminate those horrid leg tremors? ...
Actually, I just answered this question in an off-list re-
sponse. I hope you don't mind a little cut-and-paste ...
My current neurologist and I started talking about this from
almost my first appointment. In trying to find out what I knew
about (I told him I use the 'Net frequently), we talked about
symptoms, drugs, and such.
I think that I may have actually brought up the subject. And,
from the beginning we both agree -- the "stimulation" technique
would be *very much* better all around than the "cutting part of
the brain out" technique. I usually ask if he (the doctor) has
heard of anything new and promising out there and we usually end
the discussion by talking about DBS as a possibility.
My neurologist is of the opinion that -- as long as the drugs
minimize the symptoms well enough to continue being productive --
cutting my skull open, inserting probes in my brain, running
wires down my neck, to a control box implanted in my chest should
be used almost as a last resort.
There is even a hospital here in the area that has a Parkin-
son's unit. And they are supposed to be known around the world
for performing this procedure and doing it very well with a high
success rate.
... so, yes, I am considering it. But, again, I consider it
as something to try when nothing else works.
An interesting side note here: Several years ago, my wife and
I were watching a T.V. news program. It had a "human interest"
story on a new operation to help give new life to PD patients.
It showed an elderly gentleman sitting down at a kitchen table
while his wife was finishing the preparation of their dinner.
The fellow had PD which they illustrated by having him try to eat
a fork full of peas (why do they always use peas for this demo?
:-) ) which he had a great deal of trouble doing. Then, he pulls
out a little box, places it on his chest, activates a control,
and he then has no problem eating the peas or any other part of
his dinner.
I've always had hand tremors all my life. So, I remember the
question my wife asked immediately after the news segment: Do
you think that disease is what causes your shaking?
It was a case of "De ja vu" in reverse, I think.
Bill--
...who defines "Lottery" as a tax on people who are bad at math.
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