---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 17:48:55 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: ervinmccarthy <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Fw: Parkinson's Research MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message -----=20 From: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2001 12:33 PM Subject: Parkinson's Research Parkinson's disease as multifactorial oxidative neurodegeneration:=20 implications for integrative management.=20 Kidd PM.=20 Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement pathology,=20 severelyafflicting dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra (SN) = along withnon-dopaminergic, extra-nigral projection bundles that control = circuits forsensory, associative, premotor, and motor pathways.=20 Clinical, experimental,microanatomic, and biochemical evidence suggests = PD=20 involves multifactorial,oxidative neurodegeneration, and that levodopa=20 therapy adds to the oxidativeburden. The SN is uniquely vulnerable to=20 oxidative damage, having high contentof oxidizable dopamine, = neuromelanin,=20 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and iron,and relatively low antioxidant=20 complement with high metabolic rate.=20 Oxidativephosphorylation abnormalities impair energetics in the SN=20 mitochondria, alsointensifying oxygen free radical generation. These=20 pro-oxidative factorscombine within the SN dopaminergic neurons to = create=20 extreme vulnerability tooxidative challenge.=20 Epidemiologic studies and long-term tracking of victims of MPTP=20 (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6,-tetrahydropyridine) poisoning, suggest = oxidative=20 stress compounded by exogenous toxins may trigger the neurodegenerative=20 progression of PD.=20 Rational, integrative management of PD requires: (1) dietary revision,=20 especially to lower calories; (2) rebalancing of essential fatty acid = intake=20 away from pro-inflammatory and toward anti-inflammatory prostaglandins; = (3)=20 aggressive repletion of glutathione andother nutrient antioxidants and=20 cofactors; (4) energy nutrients acetylL-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, NADH, = and=20 the membrane phospholipidphosphatidylserine (PS), (5) chelation as = necessary=20 for heavy metals; and (6)liver P450 detoxification support.=20 This abstract came from the National Library of Medicine.=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 18:14:56 -0500 Reply-To: Jorge A Romero MD <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Jorge A Romero MD <[log in to unmask]> Organization: Charcot's Tooth Subject: Re: Fw: Parkinson's Research MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit It is important to keep in mind that the National Library of Medicine is just that - a library - indeed one of the best in the world in medicine. The fact that something comes from the NLM does not, in and of itself, give it legitimacy or special credence. A good library will always house works representing various perspectives in different issues, and should not endorse or support any particular view. I am sure that the presence of this abstract in a work housed in the NLM does not in any way imply that the NLM staff agrees or disagrees with that view. Furthermore, the staff at the NLM are not scientists or physicians. Their endorsement would be as meaningful as the endorsement of any other non-medical individual or non-scientist. While it may be rational to speculate in that direction, there is really very little evidence that the use of these antioxidants, or dietary efforts to reduce the oxidative loads or stresses, in any way modifies, delays, or otherwise influences the onset or progression of the disease, or the putative, and unproven, toxic effect of the antiparkinsonian medications Jorge Romero, MD ----- Original Message ----- From: "ervinmccarthy" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2001 4:48 PM Subject: Fw: Parkinson's Research [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2001 12:33 PM Subject: Parkinson's Research Parkinson's disease as multifactorial oxidative neurodegeneration: implications for integrative management. Kidd PM. Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement pathology, severelyafflicting dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra (SN) along withnon-dopaminergic, extra-nigral projection bundles that control circuits forsensory, associative, premotor, and motor pathways. Clinical, experimental,microanatomic, and biochemical evidence suggests PD involves multifactorial,oxidative neurodegeneration, and that levodopa therapy adds to the oxidativeburden. The SN is uniquely vulnerable to oxidative damage, having high contentof oxidizable dopamine, neuromelanin, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and iron,and relatively low antioxidant complement with high metabolic rate. Oxidativephosphorylation abnormalities impair energetics in the SN mitochondria, alsointensifying oxygen free radical generation. These pro-oxidative factorscombine within the SN dopaminergic neurons to create extreme vulnerability tooxidative challenge. Epidemiologic studies and long-term tracking of victims of MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6,-tetrahydropyridine) poisoning, suggest oxidative stress compounded by exogenous toxins may trigger the neurodegenerative progression of PD. Rational, integrative management of PD requires: (1) dietary revision, especially to lower calories; (2) rebalancing of essential fatty acid intake away from pro-inflammatory and toward anti-inflammatory prostaglandins; (3) aggressive repletion of glutathione andother nutrient antioxidants and cofactors; (4) energy nutrients acetylL-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, NADH, and the membrane phospholipidphosphatidylserine (PS), (5) chelation as necessary for heavy metals; and (6)liver P450 detoxification support. This abstract came from the National Library of Medicine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 16:58:30 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: David Moreland <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Don Berns' 7 1/2 Year Pallidotomy Report In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 05:04 PM 7/22/2001 -0400, you wrote: Praise be to God!! I am at the six year mark. Dr. Burchiel at OHSU did mine. Prior to the Pallidotomy. I had very severe dyskinesias. I said that must be what Hell is like. It was sure Hell. Thanks be to God for Dr. Burchiel. I have hardly had any dyskinesia since that day in 1995. >For those of you who have been on the Parkinson's Digest for awhile may >remember when I had a bi-lateral pallidotomy (actually the first one >performed to my knowledge) on Dec. 1, 1993. It was performed by the >brilliant, skilled, innovative, "wild and crazy," controversial Dr. Robert >Iacono. The only neurosurgeon who can claim over 2000 surgeries for the >treatment of PD. Because there was so much controversy about this surgery >I made a commitment to the larger Parkinson's community that I would keep >you updated with yearly reports as to my progress. There were many who >said that the results would only last a year or two at the most. As if >that would not have been worth doing for any time of relief from this >insidious disease. Well as you shall see I am 7.5 years out from surgery >and still going strong. I am recently serving as a Parkinson's Disease >"research assistant" with Dr. Bonham in Pittsburgh, who Jim Cordy has >called on of the most brilliant PD docs he knows. If any of you want more >info on the pallidotomy go to "www.pallidotomy.com" or contact me directly. > A Fellow Parkie, Don Berns Attachment Converted: >"c:\eudora\attach\7.5YearRpt.txt" We have a new e-mail address: > [log in to unmask] > Yours and His David L Moreland ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 20:46:34 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Edie Luther." <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Short survey MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 7/19/01 1:58:35 PM Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: > Drollinger > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > > ----------------------- Headers -------------------------------- > Return-Path: > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 23:56:29 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "George J. Lussier" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Don Berns' 7 1/2 Year Pallidotomy Report Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I too am holding up quite well as I approach my 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 years of a staged Bilateral Pallidotomy done by G. Rees Cosgrove MD of MGH in Boston. What's amazing to me is that I'm still making progress. For example, I'm taking swimming and dance (NIA)lesson and for the very first time I feel that my body has picked up the beat. It's beginning to flow. my best...........george At 05:04 PM 7/22/01 -0400, you wrote: >For those of you who have been on the Parkinson's Digest for awhile may >remember when I had a bi-lateral pallidotomy (actually the first one >performed to my knowledge) on Dec. 1, 1993. It was performed by the >brilliant, skilled, innovative, "wild and crazy," controversial Dr. Robert >Iacono. The only neurosurgeon who can claim over 2000 surgeries for the >treatment of PD. > >Because there was so much controversy about this surgery I made a >commitment to the larger Parkinson's community that I would keep you >updated with yearly reports as to my progress. There were many who said >that the results would only last a year or two at the most. As if that >would not have been worth doing for any time of relief from this insidious >disease. Well as you shall see I am 7.5 years out from surgery and still >going strong. > >I am recently serving as a Parkinson's Disease "research assistant" with >Dr. Bonham in Pittsburgh, who Jim Cordy has called on of the most brilliant >PD docs he knows. > >If any of you want more info on the pallidotomy go to "www.pallidotomy.com" >or contact me directly. > >A Fellow Parkie, > >Don Berns > > >Attachment Converted: C:\UltraNet\eudora\7.5YearRpt.txt >We have a new e-mail address: >[log in to unmask] > >We have a new e-mail address:
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> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 00:01:57 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Parkinson's Research MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Here's kind of a crazy question but it's something I'm really curious about. To anyone's knowledge out there, has there been any type of research regarding dehydration in Parkinson's patients (and I'm not even sure if this is the right question to ask)? Here's what baffles me - my husband was in a pretty bad state and was unable to move for two days this past January and passed out or had a seizure (it's never been really clarified what happened) and upon his arrival at the hospital, he was given an IV and within a half hour, he was in better shape than I had seen him in in years. This is without medication, which he had been due to take a hour or so before. He didn't even slightly resemble the person we had been seeing for years with Parkinson's. One would never have known he had it. He was moving freely, even his facial expression was more relaxed. I mentioned this later to his neurologist who really didn't give it much attention, but I still can't stop thinking about it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 02:02:23 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Don Berns' 7 1/2 Year Pallidotomy Report MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit George, so happy to hear you're doing so well. [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 02:05:18 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Parkinson's Research= magic IV MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit What was in that IV? The usual, or whatever that is? I'd sure like to know. [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 01:33:09 -0500 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Peyton, Ronald" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: !!!!!!!!!!!! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" A trojan horse virus? Yikes! Everybody needs to know HOW DANGEROUS this can be. I once logged on to AOL and got the msg telling me "your account is currently in use. If this is not authorized, call 1-800-..." I called, and assured the AOL rep that I had not authorized or given my password out to anyone. He told me someone was in my account at that very moment sending porno ads out. I was aghast. I asked how? He asked if I had download anything recently - come to find out I had downloaded a zipped file. That's when he told me that zipped files can contain trojan horse viruses that kick back your password to the originator, enabling them to enter your system and wreak havoc. The aol rep immediately cut the person off, gave me a new password to get back on, and cautioned me to be VERY careful, because you are legally liable for anything that goes out under your account - had it been something like child pornography, I could have been held legally accountable. When I got back in, I had literally hundreds of irate responses from people who had received this filth from my handle, so I then had to deal with that. I spent time telling everyone my horror story so you'll know the danger and be VERY CAREFUL what you download - specially when it comes to zipped files. After that experience, soon as I see a file with a .zip extension on it, I look no further but immediately hit the delete key. Ron (Chicago) -----Original Message----- From: Bob Anibal [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2001 5:50 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: !!!!!!!!!!!! Beware of any attachments from anyone you don't know - a couple of the forums I"m on got hit including me but my virus program caught it ( I just updated the program yesterday - how's that for timing ) The name of the attachment is - Humor.txt pif. The message is generally - "Try this if you want a laugh" It is a Trojan horse it will send itself to everybody in your address book. This is real not a hoax Bob or Pop as the case may be. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 03:45:35 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Sid Levin <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Letter from Senator Santorum Comments: cc: Greg Sterling <[log in to unmask]> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greg, Good Idea. But how about every PWP in PA phoning his nearest office to tell them the Senator should support his fellow Senator's bill. (Specter's bill.) Can you, through your network of support groups, get goodly numbers to do just that. From Pittsburgh to Philly to Erie to Scranton. With some hard work, good contacts and a good cause, I would estimate you might be able to inspire 200 PWP or friends to telephone. (It should really be 2000, but I'm getting old & cynical) And even more important is the local Congressman/woman. In each district within the state there is at least one or two PWP. Try to find them and get them to call the Congressman. Now those apposed to stem cells have read this and they might do the same, but if we can't out hustle them, maybe we don't deserve the hoped for benefits of stem cell research. Sid Levin PS When someone phones their Congressman or Senator, be sure the caller also mentions the projected NIH budget and the amount requested by NIH for Parkinsons. Just ask him/her to support that request. (This advise should be applied whoever calls - whether you are pro or anti the stem cell guidelines). I'm sure when the smoke settles on the stem cell issue, we will all be working together for the ultimate common (four letter word) G--L. RESEARCH IS A BLIND DATE WITH KNOWLEDGE. Let us welcome the bride with flowers. Sid ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 01:09:16 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: NEWS: Scientists have traced a new neurodegenerative disease MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Sunday, 22 July, 2001, 23:00 GMT 00:00 UK New genetic disease discovered Scientists have traced a new neurodegenerative disease By BBC News Online's Jane Elliott Scientists have discovered a new neurodegenerative disease, which has lain undiscovered among the branches of one Cumbrian family for over 200 years. For generations the family, which has not been named, thought they had an inherited risk of either Parkinson's or Huntington's disease as their limb movements became harder to control. One family member even killed herself as her body started to show symptoms of what she thought was the potentially fatal Huntington's. It was her death and subsequent post-mortem that gave Newcastle scientists the break-through they desperately needed. Iron build-up Professor John Burn and his team from the Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Newcastle, had been studying the West Cumbrian family for over 15 years. And they were mystified by the symptoms, which so clearly mimicked either Parkinson's or Huntington's. Professor Burn said: "I became convinced that it looked like Huntington's, but it wasn't. "One woman had been suffering from this for 30 years, and although her movements were bad she could still be at the rest of the family at the TV quiz show Countdown. "You don't get dementia, but I don't know whether that is a blessing or a curse." Now hopes are high that the discovery of "Neuorferritinopathy", which is caused by a build-up of iron in the brain, can shed new light on the causes of Parkinson's and Huntington's. It may in the future lead the way to finding a cure for both diseases. Prof Burn said that although the disease has so far been confined to members of the same family, a screening test of 100 patients with similar brain disorder revealed another six linked families. Close monitoring So far all the cases have been based in the North of England, but as the affected family are linked to Fletcher Christian, leader of the Mutiny on the Bounty, the disease could well have spread via the sea-faring West Cumbrian family to other more remote parts of the globe, where it is still being wrongly diagnosed. The patients had limb movement problems, but showed a remarkable brain clarity and none of the degeneration associated with Huntington's and Parkinson's. By studying the family, Prof Burn's team found an error in the ferritin light chain. Ferritin stores essential iron inside cells and prevents the iron causing damage. The error leads to large amounts of iron and ferritin collecting in the cells and causing problems with body movements. Prof Burn said: "What was happening in the family was that the ferritin was not working properly and the cells in the basal ganglia were filling up. "The iron was building up in the brain like a pile of bin-liners when the bin man hasn't come to collect them. And the build up eventually stops the cells from working. "That leads to movement problems." In the past it has always been difficult to say whether iron levels have a significant impact on neurological diseases, because the levels do tend to increase with age. Prof Burn said: "We are now looking at the exact cause of the build up of iron and to see if we can remove it. "The findings in this rare family make it more likely that problems with iron metabolism can cause similar disease like Parkinson's disease." The study was published in Nature Genetics. SOURCE: The BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1449000/1449091.stm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 01:09:30 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: ARGUMENTS Goverment Funding of Stem Cell Research MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: Quoted-printable Sunday, July 22 2001 ARGUMENTS Goverment Funding of Stem Cell Research President Bush will soon decide whether to allow taxpayer funding of experiments using cells from human embryos. Joan Samuelson, president of Parkinson's Action Network, and David Prentice, an Indiana State University Life Sciences Professor, Squared off on the Issue in Congressional hearings last week. JOAN SAMUELSON: Scientists have made tremendous progress in the search for a Parkinson's cure. One of the most promising lines of research involves using human embryonic stem cells to repair brain cells killed off by Parkinson's. Scientific experts have said Parkinson's is the first disorder expected to benefit from stem cells, and predict it could be done within a decade if the funds needed to tackle this problem were available. Many other diseases may be conquered with this same biomedical wonder. But this potential is being squandered, and lives are being lost, as this issue is held captive in the arena of abortion politics and federal research funds are withheld by presidential order. As a consequence, the 1 million Parkinson's sufferers have a cure on hold. Meanwhile, we watch our bodies surrender to symptoms that first make us prisoners of our frozen bodies, and eventually end our lives. We deserve better. DAVID PRENTICE: Parkinson's sufferers, as well as the millions of other Americans who face diseases such as heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, diabetes and liver disease, do deserve better - they deserve better than just promises. Unfortunately, that's all that's been delivered from embryonic stem cell research. While embryonic stem cells have the potential to form adult tissues if left in the intact embryo, when removed and placed into the culture dish they have been relatively inefficient at forming specific tissues that might be used to treat diseases. In addition, the stem cells have several negative characteristics, including the tendency to form tumors when injected into the body. There are much more promising lines of research, such as adult stem cells, which should be followed in our search for treatments for disease. SAMUELSON: Of course we are holding only promises right now - because America's best and brightest have been prevented from doing the research! Some privately financed work has produced significant indications of huge breakthroughs ahead. But the research is largely stalled because the biomedical research world revolves around federal funding - $18 billion in tax dollars allocated to the National Institutes of Health - and is now barred from going to stem cell research. The researchers can make little progress until those funds are available. You appear convinced that while embryonic stem cells have yet to prove worthy, adult stem cells are far more developed as a therapy. Recently, a group of Nobel laureates wrote President Bush urging his speedy funding of embryonic stem cell research. They would not have bothered if the potential were not great. Can 80 Nobel laureates be so wrong? PRENTICE: Actually, yes, 80 Nobel laureates can be pretty off base. Knowledgeable people do not always perpetuate the truth. Most of the laureates who signed the letter have no expertise whatsoever in cell biology (some were actually economists and physicists). In the letter itself, they quote several advances in "stem cell research" - most of the advances they note were done with adult stem cells! Yes, I believe adult stem cells are much farther advanced as therapies. For some conditions they are already being used to treat patients. The embryonic stem cells actually have not produced anything significant, and recent evidence indicates they are genetically unstable. But the media hype embryonic cells, and people buy into the myths. SAMUELSON: Hmmmmmm . . . the Lyin' Laureates. I just don't get their motivation. If, in fact, adult stem cells were so dramatically more promising, why wouldn't we all happily avoid this whole controversy? But prominent researchers in the field - including Stanford's Irving Weissman and Cal Tech's David Baltimore - tell us, in a recent Science magazine editorial, that they aren't. It is always possible, perhaps even likely, that further research might reveal a source for viable adult stem cells. But that is simply a hope, and it would be foolish to abandon the surer path for the unproven one. That in a nutshell is why Nancy Reagan, Sen. Orrin Hatch and patients like me are strongly advocating that adult stem cell research continue, but that embryonic stem cell research be funded aggressively, immediately. It just doesn't seem credible that this is truly a scientific debate. Isn't it really all about different ethical points of view - and politics? PRENTICE: Bingo, Joan! You've hit on the real root of the debate. If this were just a scientific debate about fingernails, no one would care. But it's really an ethical and political debate. It comes down to how we view the moral status of a human embryo, and how we balance that status versus current disease sufferers. But don't get the impression that it's the same old abortion debate. You've already pointed out some "pro-life" people who favor embryonic stem cell research; there are many "pro-choice" people opposed to it. Some see it as a life issue; an embryo is a human being scientifically (it's not some other species), and the question is whether it is a person or property. Some see it as the "slippery slope." In that respect, the scary thing is that there are already some "ethicists" on academic campuses who believe that scientists should experiment on folks who have Alzheimer's, Down syndrome, are in a coma, etc., because their "quality of life" isn't good. To whom will we choose to assign value? And who will make that choice? SAMUELSON: Assume for a moment that embryonic stem cells are as promising as the 80 Laureates say. That, then, is my rescue from my future with Parkinson's: losing my mobility, independence, income, home, and, finally, my life. The cells come from in vitro fertilization, which routinely now gives infertile couples modern-day miracles; the embryonic stem cells are leftovers from that process. Hundreds of thousands are said to be sitting in freezers. To let them sit until they are discarded is to choose suffering and death for millions of Americans who may be rescued by transplantation of them into our ailing brains and other systems. What ethical code can ignore our need so utterly, in favor of a five-day-old clump of cells the size of a pencil dot that will never become a person? And fuzzing that choice with fear of experimentation on a Down's baby is a big leap, and a cheap ploy, I think. Your solution - do nothing for fear of slippery slopes - is to abandon the dreams of millions who might be rescued. Where's the morality in that? PRENTICE: I'd still say they're selling you promises for grant dollars. And unfortunately, the scare is real, not a ploy. We've seen society go that route in the past, and we don't need to go there again. But I'm not saying we should do nothing. Let's talk about those embryos that are supposedly discarded. Often it's made to sound that thousands upon thousands are tossed away, but that's not the case. In fact, even with consent forms saying that they can discard them after several years, many fertility doctors are very reluctant to do it. The embryos can remain frozen and viable for at least 20 to 30 years, probably longer, and there are published papers where after 7, 8, 10 years in the freezer, they were implanted, gestated and born. One option for those frozen human embryos is adoption. It's a relatively new idea and needs much more publicizing, but it's a very viable alternative to destruction. There are 6 to 10 million infertile couples in the U.S., and estimates of up to 200,000 embryos frozen in fertility clinics. Don't they deserve a chance for life too? On the research front, let's put more tax dollars toward supporting the adult stem cell research, which has shown real success, as well as more federal funding for disease research in general. The embryonic stem cell work will continue in the private sector, and we can hopefully have an open debate in society about just how we look at life, at any stage, and how we balance choices that can affect suffering lives. SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle Page=A0D - 5 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=3D/c/a/2001/07/22/IN994653.DTL * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 01:10:00 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: ARTICLE: Many states have already spoken on stem cell research MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Posted at 11:10 p.m. EDT Sunday, July 22, 2001 Many states have already spoken on stem cell research By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG - New York Times News Service WASHINGTON -- As President Bush and Congress struggle with the question of regulating embryonic stem cell research, one fact is being overlooked: Nearly two dozen states already have laws that govern research on embryos and fetuses, and at least nine ban any experimenting with human embryos. Some of the laws date back decades, having been enacted in response to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Just one state, South Dakota, explicitly forbids stem cell studies; last year, at the urging of abortion opponents, South Dakota made it a misdemeanor to experiment with cells or tissues obtained from human embryos. Nonetheless, legal experts say the existing statutes could impede university scientists and biotechnology companies, not only because of the bans but also because some states prohibit payment for embryonic tissue. Broadly construed, these experts say, such a provision could prevent scientists from buying the cells -- even if Bush approves federal financing for research with them -- and prevent companies from selling stem cell-based therapies. "There are some hidden land mines working in this area," said Lori B. Andrews, a professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law who has analyzed state restrictions on embryo research for the National Bioethics Advisory Commission. Andrews added, "I think the states will become a fertile battleground for the larger social question of should embryo research be permissible." As past controversies surrounding abortion, fetal tissue experiments and cloning suggest, state lawmakers often step into the ethical debates posed by medicine and science. So no matter what Bush and Congress decide, the thorny questions about embryonic stem cell research may ultimately be settled piecemeal, in the states. And state laws, in turn, may lead to challenges in courts. "If you look at the history of abortion, it seesaws between federal and state legislation and federal and state courts," said R. Alto Charo, a professor of bioethics at the University of Wisconsin. "It would not surprise me to find that Utah decides to ban all research uses of embryos and that California does not. In the end, we may end up with different rules in different places." Already, legislators in Charo's home state are debating a ban on future studies involving stem cells derived from human embryos. And Wisconsin is the birthplace of embryonic stem cell science. In 1998 a University of Wisconsin researcher, Dr. James A. Thomson, became the first to isolate the cells, which hold promise for treating disease. "I can't stop what happens elsewhere," said the measure's author, state Rep. Sheryl K. Albers, a Republican. "If nothing is changed on the national level, something does need to change in Wisconsin." Since Thomson's discovery, embryonic stem cells have generated great excitement in science, and great angst in Washington. These primordial cells, which may grow into any cell or tissue in the body, are extracted from the inner mass of an embryo when that embryo is just a tiny cluster of 100 to 300 cells, small enough to fit on the tip of a sewing needle. Scientists regard embryonic stem cells as the building blocks of a new era of regenerative medicine, in which the body will someday be used to heal itself. But the research draws intense criticism from religious conservatives and abortion opponents because the embryos, which they regard as nascent human life, are destroyed. Currently, embryonic stem cell experiments must be conducted entirely with private money, because Congress has imposed a ban on federal financing for the studies. The issue before Bush is whether to make an exception to that ban so that taxpayer money could be used to study cells derived from embryos that have been kept frozen at fertility clinics; scientists would not, however, be permitted to work directly on embryos. Congress may also weigh in. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who is a strong supporter of the research, has introduced legislation to allow government-financed scientists to derive stem cells from embryos. But the discussion in Washington centers on federal financing, so it will have no effect on the private sector, where much of the nation's stem cell research will undoubtedly occur. Just this month, scientists at a private Virginia fertility clinic announced that they had created embryos expressly to extract stem cells. And a Massachusetts biotechnology company, Advanced Cell Technology, is trying to use cloning technology to make embryos -- 100- to 300-cell copies of existing people -- that would yield stem cells with an exact tissue match for patients. The Food and Drug Administration has little jurisdiction over such experiments; it typically oversees research only when a therapy is being tested in people. So the matter is left to the states. Virginia does not have laws governing embryo research. A Massachusetts law, enacted in 1974, prohibits use of "any live human fetus" in a scientific experiment. "We have looked at it about 40 times," said Mike West, the chief executive of Advanced Cell Technology. "We believe the law applies to fetuses," not embryos. But Andrews, of Chicago-Kent College of Law, says that over the years, the Massachusetts law has often been interpreted to define an embryo as a fetus, and it has had a "chilling effect" on scientists. When in vitro fertilization was first being performed in Massachusetts, she said, fertility specialists found themselves seeking opinions from district attorneys on the legality of their work. "I think some of these laws will be challenged in the wake of desires to do embryo research," she said. "It is an issue, because we have not yet come to a societal consensus on the moral or legal status of the embryo." SOURCE: The Charlotte Observer http://www.charlotte.com/topnews/pub/stemcell.htm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 07:03:31 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD" <[log in to unmask]> Organization: Five Star Living, Inc. Subject: Re: Parkinson's Research MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit [log in to unmask] wrote: > Here's kind of a crazy question but it's something I'm really curious about. > To anyone's knowledge out there, has there been any type of research > regarding dehydration in Parkinson's patients (and I'm not even sure if this > is the right question to ask)? > Here's what baffles me - my husband was in a pretty bad state and was unable > to move for two days this past January and passed out or had a seizure (it's > never been really clarified what happened) and upon his arrival at the > hospital, he was given an IV and within a half hour, he was in better shape > than I had seen him in in years. Yes! Dehydration is VERY common among people with PD, and can lead to confusion, behavior change, dizziness, falls, altered heartbeat, kidney failure, urinary tract infection, and other concerns. One reason for this is that as PD advances and it becomes more difficult to move, the person fears a full bladder, concerned that s/he won't be able to get up, move to the bathroom, and unfasten clothing in time. I encourage folks to drink a large glass of water each time they take medications -- that way, by the time the bladder fills up, the medications will be more likely to have kicked in, and they will have the mobility needed. Best regards, Kathrynne -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" "Constipation and Parkinson's" -- audiocassette & guidebook "Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's disease" & Risk Assessment Tools "Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson's disease," J Nutr Elderly. V18:3;1999. http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 08:59:48 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Short survey MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Rayilyn: My emotions definitely affect my tremor and it doesn't matter if they are positive or negative, the tremor increases. Ginny ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 09:24:38 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Short survey MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 1. Female 2. Caucasian 3. 63 4. 67 5, 2 Ginny Schwinge ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 10:50:59 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Bonnie Rowley <[log in to unmask]> Subject: New book -: When Parkinson's Strikes Early: Voices, Ch MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Jeana Bartlett, pwp in Augusta, GA, has a quote in the below book. Click here: Amazon.com: buying info: When Parkinson's Strikes Early: Voices, Choices, Resources, and Treatment http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0897933400/qid%3D995860865/sr%3D1-1/ref %3Dsc%5Fb%5F1/002-9529869-1522460 When Parkinson's Strikes Early: Voices, Choices, Resources, and Treatment by Linda Herman R.N. L.S.W., Barbara Blake-Krebs M.L.S., Susan Reese R.N. LCSW , M.A., Barbara Blake-Krebs, M.L.S., Linda Herman, R.N., L.C.S.W., Susan Reese (Foreword) List Price: $15.95 Our Price: $12.76 You Save: $3.19 (20%) This item will be published on August 9, 2001. You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 12:00:52 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Linda J Herman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: New book -: When Parkinson's Strikes Early: Voices, Ch MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bonnie Rowley wrote: <> Jeana does indeed, and so do over 60 other members of our Parkinsons Information Exchange Network -- their voices and writings about living with young onset PD is the focus of the book. It is being published by Hunter House Publishers in August, edited and compiled by two other Parkinsn list members - Barbara Blake-Krebs and myself. We have worked on this project, with the help and encouragement of Jeanette Fuhr, for the last 2 1/2 years and are thrilled it is finally about to be "born." All of our royalties are being donated to Parkinson's research and to programs improving care for PWP. The book can be advance ordered from Hunter House by calling 800-266-5592 - ask to speak to Christina, who we recently learned is also a Parkinson's caregiver . Or through Amazon. I'd just like to point out that the Amazon page has errors, which we've been trying to get them to correct for months. The book summary has some errors (we didn't write the summary) and I have never been an RN or a social worker. Just for the record: the authors are Barbara Blake-Krebs, MA, and Linda Herman, MLS. The book's foreword was written by Susan Reese, RN, LCSW and coordinator of the APDA Young Onset Parkinson's Information and Referral Center. We hope in addition to raising funds it will also help increase Parkinson's awareness. Barb, i'm sure will have more to say about the book. Linda ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 09:25:35 -0700 Reply-To: "Mario A. Gonzalez" <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Mario A. Gonzalez" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: VIRUS Comments: cc: Abraham Lieberman <[log in to unmask]> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi List, Dr. Lieberman, Just to let you know that I am still getting old messages from "Private" "ask the doctor", where I am told to "look at the ATTACHMENT". Beware of those messages, Mario ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 14:53:26 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Ira Wile <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Use of the emergency room MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable The American Parkinson's Disease Association, Inc. Educational = supplement #16 which was received today has an excellent article about = not going to the emergency room. I highly recommend it. I do not = have a scanner or would have included it. =20 Best,=20 Ira ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 20:49:55 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Edie Luther." <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Short survey MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 1 F 2 W 3 44 4, 67 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 18:55:29 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD" <[log in to unmask]> Organization: Five Star Living, Inc. Subject: Re: Don Berns' 7 1/2 Year Pallidotomy Report MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit George!! So good to hear from you after such a long time. I can absolutely vouch that you are doing much more than "holding up quite well" -- for those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting George in person, he has enlisted a Marine Corps drill sergeant for a personal trainer, walks backward, takes horseback riding lessons, and is training a somewhat wilful pooch, Pinto. He produces a newsletter that is about people, and incidentally mentions PD on occasion. He has produced a first-class videotape dealing with his second pallidotomy. He is an excellent cook. And boy, does he know lobster! Wishing we could all somehow get together for a giant lobster feed............... Best, Kathrynne "George J. Lussier" wrote: > > I too am holding up quite well as I approach my 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 years of a > staged Bilateral Pallidotomy done by G. Rees Cosgrove MD of MGH in Boston. > What's amazing to me is that I'm still making progress. For example, I'm > taking swimming and dance (NIA)lesson and for the very first time I feel > that my body has picked up the beat. It's beginning to flow. > > my best...........george -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" "Constipation and Parkinson's" -- audiocassette & guidebook "Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's disease" & Risk Assessment Tools "Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson's disease," J Nutr Elderly. V18:3;1999. http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 18:58:31 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: !!!!!!!!!!!! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Ron, what is a "zipped" file download. I have AOL too and my Norton Antivirus must have saved me from opening Bonnie's "contaminated" file. Thanks, [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 16:09:49 -0700 Reply-To: "Mario A. Gonzalez" <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Mario A. Gonzalez" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: !!!!!!!!!!!! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I just got mail from a Jodie Davies at Parkinsons-vic.org.au. Has any body heard of this? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rayilyn Brown" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2001 3:58 PM Subject: Re: !!!!!!!!!!!! > Ron, what is a "zipped" file download. I have AOL too and my Norton > Antivirus must have saved me from opening Bonnie's "contaminated" file. > Thanks, [log in to unmask] > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 19:11:23 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Letter from Senator Santorum MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sid, I have been calling, bugging, emailing even my State legisators (who are right-wingers) and they hate me. A lifelong Republican, I'm changing registration after 2002, want to vote against them in primaries in CA. Think this is most important issue since slavery issue and I will not compromise, which will lead to breaks with family and friends. I know there are many Republicans favoring stem cell research, but the big trouble, I think is from the evangelical right (wrong) wing , at least in my area, and they are tough and well-organized. Don't thnk there is hope in time for a cure for me, but I care about future generations and children, especially. I'll still keep calling if it kills me, my last act for humanity. Makes my PD symptoms worse. This is such a "no brainer", don't understand opposition, at least when people know what blastocyst is. Does a squirrel murder an oak tree when he eats ab acorn??? Rayilyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 17:38:44 -0600 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Schaaf Angus / Meadow Creek Ranch <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Use of the emergency room Comments: cc: "Caregivers Are Really Essential (CARE)" <[log in to unmask]> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Wow, Ira your absolutely right about that article. I can relate all to well to the contents that ER doctors have no background in PD and treat symptoms in the dark wasting time and money for the patient and possibly causing more harm than. good.My experience is just briefly related and just scratches the surface of the lack of PD comprehension in the Hospital. I went to the ER with an emergency situation. I fell off a horse that spooked. I had broken ribs and a damaged spleen and bruises everywhere because the ground was frozen hard. My wife took me to RapidCity Regional Hospital , a big and quote uptodate hospital for the midwest. My wife gathered up all my pills and stayed with me in the ER. I was on Eldeprlyl and Sinemet. These drugs have FATAL drug interactions. If I had been given Demerol , I would have been quite dead. It takes two weeks to get these drugs, because Eldepryl is a MAO/B inhibitor, out of the system for elective surgery to avoid becoming a vegetable from a simple surgery. Because of that , My wife and I had made ourselves familiar with drugs that I couldnt take that would harm me , like Nytol and more. If it had not been for her diligence I think I would have not have come home eventually. The first thing they did inspite of protests from my wife they cold turkeyed me on all of my pills. "We have doctors here to monitor him. He'll be alright now. Go to the waiting room" They tried to get my wife out of the way- not an easy thing to do. She questioned every med and asked if it was compatible with his drugs. At least once , they went back and got something else to give me in the ER. It was her first experience with the hospital since my PD had become dibilitating. She wasnt budging and I was incoherent from the accident and didnt know where I was at times. It was a weekend naturally. Finally she got a neurologist into the ER. It turned out he was from the same office as my regular neurologist. He at least scheduled my PD pills to staart again as soon as I was stabailized Finally four hours after I got into the ER they finally admitted me to a room now that I was stabalized. My Stay was unbearaable. If a pill was every 6 hours I Got It . It didnt matter whether I was sleeping or not.they gave the pills out on a 24 hour clock not on a while your up type clock . It was not uncommon to get a sinemet at midnigt while there. The stress , which is biggest enemy of PD , was unimaginable unless you have been there. For 6 days I was in intensive care , I was kept on a slanted bed at my insistancesince they wouldnt let me sleep on my side to reduce choking and saliva problems.. They wouldnt let me eat because of my injuries. they fed me sugar water IV until I looked like the Pillsbury dough Boy and had gained 40 pounds since admitance. Finally ,I was mercifully sent to a regular ward. My wife was with me constantly which is why I was home in 3 days not 5 weeks that they predicted. The care was so bad . They didnt roll me to prevent bedsores. or even help me with personal needs when my wife was gone. The staff was content to just leave me in bed all day instead of getting me up and walking again since my legs were uninjured in the accident. When she was there, she checked me over all of the time and made sure I wasnt off schedule since that is so important for the PD patient. My wife was the only person, while I was at the hospital that would take me for walks around the nurse's station to get my strength back. With all of the Tylenol 3 they fed me and lack of exercise, my personal needs were getting very backed up to no ones concern but mine. Very painful too It has been a year and half now and I still suffer from the edema caused by all of the IV fluids they felt were in my best interest. Since I was the patient , I was not given a choice at all in my care while there. Would I go again , Maybe not. Given a Choice , the ER is not for me anymore. In summary , Call your neurologist before you go if you can . The ER is not always your friend particularly when it doesnt know PD. Rob (56/52/36) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ira Wile" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2001 12:53 PM Subject: Use of the emergency room > The American Parkinson's Disease Association, Inc. Educational supplement #16 which was received today has an excellent article about not going to the emergency room. I highly recommend it. I do not have a scanner or would have included it. > > > > Best, > > Ira > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 02:01:40 +0200 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Hans van der Genugten <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Fw: Announcement: World Congress of Disabilities Meeting MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The Second Annual World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities will be held September 28-30, 2001, at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This event is supported by over 40 national and local organizations and will feature information and resources for physicians, other health care professionals, educators, people with disabilities, their families and direct support professionals. As it was last year, CME credit will be available for attendance at the meeting. WE MOVE and Emory University are CME co-sponsors of the movement disorder courses for physicians. Copyright 2000 WE MOVE Editor: Richard Robinson ([log in to unmask]) This service is provided free of charge to the Internet community, courtesy of WEMOVE.org. This document may be freely redistributed by email only in its unedited form. We encourage you to share it with your colleagues. E-MOVE archives, plus information on subscribing, are available at http://www.wemove.org/emove. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to [log in to unmask], with "unsubscribe e-move" in the message body. E-MOVE is a service of WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders) 204 West 84th Street New York, NY 10024 TEL 800-437-MOV2 TEL 212-875-8312 FAX 212-875-8389 http://www.wemove.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 02:02:36 +0200 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Hans van der Genugten <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Fw: Proteasomal Impairment in PD MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Proteasomal function is impaired in substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease KS McNaught, P Jenner Neuroscience Letters 2001;297:191-194 Proteasome activity is reduced by a third or more in substantia nigra from patients with Parkinson's disease, according to this study. Proteolytic activity of proteasomes was determined in homogenates from SN tissue of 10 PD patients and seven controls. Compared to controls, the proteasome's three types of proteolytic activity were reduced by 33-42% in patient tissue (P< 0.009), without any difference in cell protein levels. Proteolysis was not inhibited by levodopa even at ten million times the therapeutic concentration, ruling out dopaminergic treatment as the source of reduced activity. The authors note, "Although this is the first report of impaired proteasomal function in PD, it is consistent with recent findings of 28-48% reduction in proteasomal activity in cortical regions of Alzheimer's disease (Keller, J Neurochem 2000)". An E-MOVE report on decreased proteasome activity in Huntington's disease is archived at http://www.wemove.org/emove/article.asp?ID=336 Copyright 2000 WE MOVE Editor: Richard Robinson ([log in to unmask]) This service is provided free of charge to the Internet community, courtesy of WEMOVE.org. This document may be freely redistributed by email only in its unedited form. We encourage you to share it with your colleagues. E-MOVE archives, plus information on subscribing, are available at http://www.wemove.org/emove. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to [log in to unmask], with "unsubscribe e-move" in the message body. E-MOVE is a service of WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders) 204 West 84th Street New York, NY 10024 TEL 800-437-MOV2 TEL 212-875-8312 FAX 212-875-8389 http://www.wemove.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 20:08:38 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Jim Cordy <[log in to unmask]> Subject: WHAT THE POPE REALLY SAID Comments: cc: [log in to unmask] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit This is from the official Vatican Press release. Typically tyese statements are very caesfully worded. "Another area in which political and moral choices have the gravest consequences for the future of civilization concerns the most fundamental of human rights, the right to life itself. Experience is already showing how a tragic coarsening of consciences accompanies the assault on innocent human life in the womb, leading to accommodation and acquiescence in the face of other related evils such as euthanasia, infanticide and, most recently, proposals for the creation for research purposes of human embryos, destined to destruction in the process." note reference to "human life in the womb" creation for research purposes of human embryos, destined to destruction in the process The NIH guidelines specify that only excess embryos created for the invitro fertilization should be used. These embryos are not created for research. "A free and virtuous society, which America aspires to be, must reject practices that devalue and violate human life at any stage from conception until natural death. In defending the right to life, in law and through a vibrant culture of life, America can show the world the path to a truly humane future, in which man remains the master, not the product, of his technology." must reject practices that devalue and violate human life at any stage from conception until natural death. Conception per Webster "the act of getting pregnant". Pregnant per Webster "containing unborn young within the body" NO REFERENCE TO FERTILIZED EMBRYO OUTSIDE THE BODY ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 20:10:45 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> Subject: CARE list available Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ESPECIALLY FOR NEW MEMBERS OF THE PIEN LIST, here's information about CARE ! CARE (Caregivers Are Really Essential) is a sublist of the main PD list. It is especially for caregivers (CGs) of Parkinsonians (PWPs). The need for such a list was evident from feelings expressed on the PD list that there are times when CGs need to be able to "let off steam" in a place where they will not upset their PWPs. Some of us have CareGiver support groups, where we can safely express feelings, get practical support, and share experiences but some do not. The CARE list , as a "virtual support group", serves this need, but DOES NOT shut off the participation of CGs on the main list. CGs who want to join CARE, where there is much less traffic than on the main list, may do so as follows: Send in body of post (not on subject line) to: [log in to unmask] this command: subscribe CARE your full name no signature, please. You will be added to the list, and will receive further instructions. If you have problems, for CARE ask Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> or Jeff Jones (co-owner) <[log in to unmask]> ******************** Camilla Flintermann, former CG for Peter 83/70/55 Oxford, Ohio <[log in to unmask]> on PDWebring at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm "Ask me about the CARE list for Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! " And visit the CARE webring at http://www.pdcaregiver.org ht Camilla Flintermann, former CG for Peter 83/70/55 Oxford, Ohio <[log in to unmask]> on the web at http://www.geocities.com/camillahf/index.html and also at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm "Ask me about the CARE list for Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! " And visit the CARE webring at http://www.pdcaregiver.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 20:17:57 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Don &/or Karen Berns <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Don Berns' 7 1/2 year Pallidotomy Rpt. (once again) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="=====================_187223662==_.ALT" --=====================_187223662==_.ALT Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed I always wondered about those people who sent long messages of gibberish. I found out how they did it. For those of you who have been on the Parkinson's Digest for awhile may remember when I had a bi-lateral pallidotomy (actually the first one performed to my knowledge) on Dec. 1, 1993. It was performed by the brilliant, skilled, innovative, "wild and crazy," controversial Dr. Robert Iacono. The only neurosurgeon who can claim over 2000 surgeries for the treatment of PD. Because there was so much controversy about this surgery I made a commitment to the larger Parkinson's community that I would keep you updated with yearly reports as to my progress. There were many who said that the results would only last a year or two at the most. As if that would not have been worth doing for any time of relief from this insidious disease. Well as you shall see I am 7.5 years out from surgery and still going strong. I am recently serving as a Parkinson's Disease "research assistant" with Dr. Bonham in Pittsburgh, who Jim Cordy has called on of the most brilliant PD docs he knows. If any of you want more info on the pallidotomy go to "www.pallidotomy.com" or contact me directly. 7 1/2 YEAR POST-Pallidotomy REPORT (Surgery date 12/1/93) By Dr. Don Berns United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) On Off Prior to Surgery 12/1/93 -46 -51 Six Years Post-surgery 12/1/99 -4 -12 Seven and one half Years Post-surgery -2 -12 How can I say thanks for the radical transformation that took place in my life 7 1/2 yers ago. When I reflect on all that I have been able to do as the result of this operation I am overwhelmed and oh, so grateful. For those of you who are not familiar with my story. Let me say that I had a adrenal graft implant at Vanderbilt in 1987 with minimal benefits. On December 1, 1993 I had a simultaneous bi-lateral pallidotomy. This life changing operation was performed by Dr. Bob Iacono after others had told me I would not be a good candidate since my brain was already compromised by the surgery at Vanderbilt. As has been my commitment to the larger Parkinson's community I have posted updates on my condition every year since surgery. My last update was a 6 year post pallidotomy report. As I head into my eighth year post-surgery I continue to benefit greatly from the pallidotomy COLUMN CODES -1 - SYMPTOM BEFORE SURGERY 0 - 6 mos. AFTER SURGERY 1 - 1 YR. POST-OPT 2 - 2 YR. POST-OPT 3 - 3 YR. POST-OPT 4 - 4 YR. POST-OPT 5 - 5 YR. POST-OPT 6 - 6 YR. POST-OPT 71/2-7.5 YR. POST-OPT SYMPTOMS BEFORE SURGERY & YEARS POST SURGERY SYMPTOMS -1 0 1 2 3 remor Severe Gone Gone Gone Gone Dyskinesia Severe Gone Gone Gone Gone Sweating A Lot Gone Gone Gone Gone Sleep Disturbed Severe Gone Gone Gone Gone Eyelids Open-Sleep Yes Closed Closed Closed Closed Shuffle Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone GaitFreeze Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone enseSmell Gone Better Better Better Better MuscleAche Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone ackProblm Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone kinesia Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone radykinsa Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone exPerfmce Poor Great Great Great Great tress Affect NoEfct NoEfct NoEfct NoEfct Drooling Rare Slight Slight Slight Slight Urgency Urinate Yes No No Slight Slight Dystonia None None None None None hortness Of Breath Yes None None None None oice Weak Better Better Varies Varies Speech Affect Better Better Better Better Handwritng Bad Normal Normal Normal Normal On-Off Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone Appetite Poor Normal Normal Normal Normal Weight Loss Gain Normal Normal Normal Sense of Well Being Poor Exclnt Exclnt Exclnt Exclnt SYMPTOMS YEARS POST SURGERY SYMPTOMS 4 5 6 7 1/2 Tremor Gone Gone Gone Gone Dyskinesia Gone Gone Gone Gone Sweating Gone Gone Little Gone Sleep Disturbed Gone Gone Slight Slight Eyelids Open-Sleep Closed Closed Closed Closed Shuffle Gone Rarely Rarely Rarely GaitFreeze Gone Gone Rarely Rarely SenseSmell Better Better Better Better MuscleAche Gone Gone Gone Gone BackProblms Gone Gone Gone Gone Akinesia Gone Gone Gone Gone Bradykinesia Gone Gone Gone Gone SexPerfmce Great Great Great Stress NoEfct NoEfct NoEfct NoEfct Drooling Slight Slight Slight Slight Urgency Urinate Slight Slight Slight Slight Dystonia None None None None Shortness Of Breath None None None None Voice Varies Varies Varies Varies Speech Varies Varies Varies Varies Handwritng Affect Affect Affect Affect On-Off Gone Slight Slight Slight Appetite Normal Normal Normal Normal Weight Normal Normal Normal Normal Sense of Well Being Exclnt Exclnt Exclnt Exclnt MEDICINE SCHEDULE MEDICINE BEFORE SURGERY & YEARS POST SURGERY -1 0 1 2 3 Sinmt C.R. 50/200 3.5 3.5 3.5 4 4 nmt25/100 1 Snmt10/100 .5 .5 .5 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 20:40:25 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Friends-- Has ANYONE answered Ray's posts about PGD and the fact that it does not destroy embryos? If so I missed it---and the word, assuming he's right, is NOT getting out. On "60Minutes" Sunday night there was a feature about the stem cell controversy, which again (as always) spoke of the "destruction of the embryo". Does anyone know if this is a valid point we SHOULD BE MAKING in our letters to legislators and GWBush???????? Ray Strand wrote in part: > I have been keeping quiet but, could no longer > contain myself. The Conservatives that use > the rhetoric saying the "destruction" of an embryo > is necessary to obtain stem cells is false. > PGD may be more difficult, but, the blastomere > is not destroyed and that is documented. > > A Conservative Web site with information about PGD > says that the technique affects embryos negatively six percent > of the time. I think it would the similar to the > micromanipulation used with in vitro fertilization. > So, others know of this technique. > > It puzzles me greatly that PGD has not come to the > attention of the advisers to the President. > > I have written Senator Wellstone (Dem.) of Minnesota. > He lost his father to Parkinsons. > He supports stem cell research. Camilla Flintermann Oxford,OH <[log in to unmask]> on the web at http://www.geocities.com/camillahf/index.html and also at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm visit the caregivers' website at http://www.pdcaregiver.org ####################################### Tomorrow is a gift that is wrapped in Hope. ####################################### ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 18:32:26 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: CNN: Transcript: Pope John Paul II MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Transcript: Pope John Paul II July 23, 2001 Posted: 8:45 AM EDT (1245 GMT) Pope John Paul II: 'A crisis of values' The text of the statement by Pope John Paul II to U.S. President George W. Bush: It gives me great pleasure to welcome you on your first visit since you assumed the office of President of the United States. I warmly greet the distinguished first lady and the members of your entourage. I express heartfelt good wishes that your presidency will strengthen your country in its commitment to the principles which inspired American democracy from the beginning, and sustained the nation in its remarkable growth. These principles remain as valid as ever, as you face the challenges of the new century opening up before us. Your nation's founders, conscious of the immense natural and human resources with which your land had been blessed by the Creator, were guided by a profound sense of responsibility towards the common good, to be pursued in respect for the God-given dignity and inalienable rights of all. America continues to measure herself by the nobility of her founding vision in building a society of liberty, equality and justice under the law. In the century which has just ended, these same ideals inspired the American people to resist two totalitarian systems based on an atheistic vision of man and society. At the beginning of this new century, which also marks the beginning of the third millennium of Christianity, the world continues to look to America with hope. Yet it does so with an acute awareness of the crisis of values being experienced in Western society, ever more insecure in the face of the ethical decisions indispensable for humanity's future course. In recent days, the world's attention has been focused on the process of globalisation which has so greatly accelerated in the past decade, and which you and other leaders of the industrialised nations have discussed in Genoa. While appreciating the opportunities for economic growth and material prosperity which this process offers, the Church cannot but express profound concern that our world continues to be divided, no longer by the former political and military blocs, but by a tragic fault line between those who can benefit from these opportunities and those who seem cut off from them. The revolution of freedom of which I spoke at the United Nations in 1995 must now be completed by a revolution of opportunity, in which all the world's peoples actively contribute to economic prosperity and share in its fruits. This requires leadership by those nations whose religious and cultural traditions should make them most attentive to the moral dimension of the issues involved. Respect for human dignity and belief in the equal dignity of all the members of the human family demand policies aimed at enabling all peoples to have access to the means required to improve their lives, including the technological means and skills needed for development. Respect for nature by everyone, a policy of openness to immigrants, the cancellation or significant reduction of the debt of poorer nations, the promotion of peace through dialogue and negotiation, the primacy of the rule of law: these are the priorities which the leaders of the developed nations cannot disregard. A global world is essentially a world of solidarity! From this point of view, America, because of her many resources, cultural traditions and religious values, has a special responsibility. Respect for human dignity finds one of its highest expressions in religious freedom. This right is the first listed in your nation's Bill of Rights, and it is significant that the promotion of religious freedom continues to be an important goal of American policy in the international community. I gladly express the appreciation of the whole Catholic Church for America's commitment in this regard. Another area in which political and moral choices have the gravest consequences for the future of civilization concerns the most fundamental of human rights, the right to life itself. Experience is already showing how a tragic coarsening of consciences accompanies the assault on innocent human life in the womb, leading to accommodation and acquiescence in the face of other related evils such as euthanasia, infanticide and, most recently, proposals for the creation for research purposes of human embryos, destined to destruction in the process. A free and virtuous society, which America aspires to be, must reject practices that devalue and violate human life at any stage from conception until natural death. In defending the right to life, in law and through a vibrant culture of life, America can show the world the path to a truly humane future, in which man remains the master, not the product, of his technology. Mr. President, as you carry out the tasks of the high office which the American people have entrusted to you, I assure you of a remembrance in my prayers. I am confident that under your leadership your nation will continue to draw on its heritage and resources to help build a world in which each member of the human family can flourish and live in a manner worthy of his or her innate dignity. With these sentiments I cordially invoke upon you and the beloved American people Gods blessings of wisdom, strength and peace. SOURCE: CNN http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/07/23/bush.pope/index.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 18:49:32 -0700 Reply-To: Ted Menser <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Ted Menser <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Virus MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Just for the record, we have not sent personal e-mails to anyone on this = list lately nor have we sent out any viruses although we were just = accused of that. You may come check our "sent items" folder as we have = a copy of the last 460 sent messages in there. We have Norton = anti-virus that upgrades every Friday night and it has detected nothing. = Sorry, please don't blame us!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 21:41:47 -0500 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Donald Diswinka <[log in to unmask]> Subject: VIRUS ALERT:SirCam Mime-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable Fellow Parkies and CG's Please ensure your virus software is up to date as this Worm is flooding al= l Mail Servers, as an ISP we have been very busy all day trying to block this one out. PLEASE NOTE THAT IDENTIFICATION AT THIS TIME IS EASY AS----"So far, the wor= m still can be recognized because the text of the message contains one of three messages in either Spanish or English. They are "Hi! How are You?" "I send you this file in order to have your advice" and "See you later. Thanks." " I apologize for the lenght and that this message is not about parkinsons disease. I would rather like to be debating and supporting the Stem Cell issues than erradicating this worm, but I want everyone to be aware that this Worm is currently creating a serious Internet problem. Don PD+ 52/3 THE FOLLOWING REPORT INDICATES WHAT IS HAPPENING. "SirCam clogs mailboxes, spreads secrets By Ian Fried Staff Writer, CNET News.com July 23, 2001, 3:30 p.m. PT update The SirCam worm continued to gain momentum Monday, carrying with it the potential not only to slow corporate e-mail servers but also to send along company secrets. The worm, which cropped up last week, continued to infect systems across th= e world over the weekend. "It's not quite a 'Love Bug,' but it's spreading very virulently," said Vincent Weafer, director of software maker Symantec's Antivirus Research Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Symantec rates the worm a four on its scale of one to five, with five being the most dangerous. Zachary Gaulkin, editor of news site MaineToday.com, said he arrived at wor= k Monday to find thousands of infected e-mails, some with attachments as larg= e as a couple of megabytes each. "I had 3,200 in my in-box this a.m., and they are still coming in," Gaulkin said in an e-mail interview. Like many other worms, SirCam spreads by e-mailing copies of itself to everyone in the infected computer's Microsoft Outlook address book. An adde= d twist with SirCam is that the worm sends a random file from the infected computer's hard drive, potentially sending confidential business data or embarrassing personal information along with the virus. The subject line matches the name of the file being sent. "That's a far more serious consequence for a person or business," Weafer said. "Once a document is gone from your organization, it's gone." Pennsylvania e-mail user Carl Schaad said he had received numerous infected messages by Monday morning, including many with sensitive attachments. "I'v= e already received memos, resumes, job listings and, in one case, a Visa number in a letter written to Amazon.com," he said. Worm-infected messages received by CNET News.com have included titles such as "Dear Diary," "expense distribution," "Wayne Gretzky" and "Pork with Leeks and Egg."=20 One factor limiting the likelihood that such files will actually be read is the fact that most network administrators set their e-mail gateways to delete infected files. However, the settings can be changed to allow worms to be removed and the infected files opened. Weafer said the company received about 400 new reports of the worm Monday morning from customers and those who use its Web site. That's about the sam= e number that came in on Thursday and Friday. Network Associates' NAI Labs on Monday upgraded the worm to a level of 'hig= h risk' from its previous 'medium risk' designation, noting the virus can be spread not only to addresses listed in the Windows address book files but also those stored in a Web browser's cache files. Chris Ashurst, a resource management consultant in British Columbia, Canada= , considers himself lucky that he didn't infect his friends and colleagues after receiving the file on Friday. Ashurst said he considered opening the file but decided it was a bit cryptic. When the next message from the same address was another copy of th= e same large attachment, he decided to put them both in the trash can and empty it.=20 "I'm also the local, self-taught amateur system admin guy for the office, and luckily I managed to alert the rest of the office before they got infected, too," Ashurst said in an e-mail interview. Kim Kruse of Huntsville, Ala., said a deluge of SirCam messages made it har= d for her to do anything online Monday. "I am on a dial-up (Internet account)= , and each file is about 185-200 kilobytes, so it is really clogging up my speed when it downloads," she wrote in an e-mail interview. "It has taken almost an hour to check my mail this morning=8AIt just keeps coming in like a= n e-mail bomb."=20 British e-mail screening specialist MessageLabs reported seeing 7,129 copie= s of the worm as of noon Monday British time. "Although we have seen significant numbers of this virus in the U.S., we believe that Europe is still waiting to feel the brunt of the SirCam virus,= " MessageLabs Chief Technology Officer Mark Sunner said in a statement. Although SirCam continues to spread, it appears to be getting caught before it can do much damage. "We're seeing it bounce off the firewall," said David Perry, global directo= r of education for antivirus software maker Trend Micro. "I am not seeing any reports of destructiveness." Perry noted that while most viruses appear to come from someone the recipient knows, this one can also come from strangers because it uses both address books and information stored in the Web browser's cache files to search for e-mail addresses. "If you visit a Web page and there is in the HTML (code) an e-mail address included...then that email will be among the recipients if the virus is executed on your machine," Perry said. As a result, SirCam is hitting individuals as well as corporations that use Microsoft Outlook.=20 Trend Micro said late Monday that 2,117 people had reported infections to its Web site in the past 24 hours, Perry said. "That's up substantially in the past couple of hours," Perry said. "It's still overshadowed by an outbreak of the Love Letter.A virus in Africa." So far, the worm still can be recognized because the text of the message contains one of three messages in either Spanish or English. They are "Hi! How are You?" "I send you this file in order to have your advice" and "See you later. Thanks." MessageLabs said the English body text was present in 86 percent of the copies it received, with the remaining 14 percent bearing the Spanish translations.=20 Typically, variants crop up in which the body text of a worm is changed, bu= t Weafer said so far he has seen only the single strain of SirCam. "I would not be surprised if we did see variants," he said. While SirCam's self-propagation is typical of a worm, it also has several characteristics of a virus, including the ability to attach itself to files= . Besides sending torrents of e-mail, SirCam can perform several destructive acts based on a combination of arcane PC settings and chance. If the infected PC uses the European date format (day/month/year), for example, there is a 1-in-20 chance that the worm will delete all files and folders o= n the hard drive on Oct. 16. The worm is also "network aware," Symantec reported, meaning it will search for network resources and attempt to propagate itself to attached systems. News.com's David Becker contributed to this report." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 22:18:42 -0500 Reply-To: [log in to unmask] Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: samantha pudge <[log in to unmask]> Organization: QUALCOMM Eudora Web-Mail (http://www.eudoramail.com:80) Subject: Re: Use of the emergency room Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ira, how do i find the article? sounds useful to have on file. sami -- On Mon, 23 Jul 2001 14:53:26 Ira Wile wrote: >The American Parkinson's Disease Association, Inc. Educational supplement #16 which was received today has an excellent article about not going to the emergency room. I highly recommend it. I do not have a scanner or would have included it. > > > >Best, > >Ira > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] >In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > Join 18 million Eudora users by signing up for a free Eudora Web-Mail account at http://www.eudoramail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 22:19:26 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Diane Leeds <[log in to unmask]> Subject: DBS Surgery Comments: cc: Heather McGee <[log in to unmask]>, Jan Carpenter <[log in to unmask]> MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Dear List Members, This is a short follow-up to the letter that I wrote to the list about one month ago after I came home following my second DBS Surgery. The hospital where I had it done only allows the surgery to be done on two separate occasions. Well anyway since the 6th of July when I went in for an adjustment on the stimulators, I started cutting back on my medicine again. There was not too much more to cut because I had already worked down to a very small dose daily. (compared to what I was taking before the surgery) Well I don't know any other way to say it but SINCE THE 8TH OF JULY I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY PARKINSON MEDICINE!!!!!!!!! That is two weeks ago yesterday. I finally came to the conclusion that the little amount of sinemet that I was taking wasn't doing much good. And cutting out the medicine completely has enabled me to eat protein again(I had cut back to practically no protein at all before the surgery). I really didn't realize how much I missed it and how important it is for my body. So now(you may wonder) what Parkinson symptoms do I still have?. Well I have one that I never had before(although I know it is quite common, just not for me) and that is an overproduction of saliva. Also my mouth quivers sometimes which it used to do about five years ago. I am stilll tired, but feeling better than I ever thought I would again. Believe me, my friends, I know that the above described symptoms are nothing compared to what I had before and what some of you suffer with everyday. In a way I feel bad writing this because I know that there are a lot of people out there who could probably benefit from this surgery, but because of finances and many other reasons, are unable to have it. I am so sorry for any of you that are described in the previous sentence. I won't have another adjustment for several weeks now, but I will let you all know what things are like then. I know I am very fortunate and blessed to have been able to have the surgeries. Sincerely, Diane Leeds [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 01:33:54 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re Jodie Repostings MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I got 3 of my emails re Don's palliodotomy (sp) and query re zippered attachment from Jodie Davis, [log in to unmask], can't type all this, All had attachments. Jodie if you are out there I"m deleting your repostings of my emails. R ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 01:40:02 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: VIRUS ALERT:SirCam MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Don, I'm getting repostings from Jodie Davis with attachments. I've deleted them. Rayilyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 01:22:03 -0700 Reply-To: [log in to unmask] Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Deanna Zimmer <[log in to unmask]> Organization: Westies Unlimited Subject: Re: DBS Surgery MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Diane, sorry I missed some of the letters you wrote before. Is this the surgery for the brain stimulators that are made by the pacemaker folks, Medtronics? Am interested in hearing from folks that have had this procedure and how far advanced you were in PD before you are allowed to have the surgery? Thanks. Dena Diane Leeds wrote: > Dear List Members, > > This is a short follow-up to the letter that I wrote to the list about one > month ago after I came home following my second DBS Surgery. The hospital > where I had it done only allows the surgery to be done on two separate > occasions. > > Well anyway since the 6th of July when I went in for an adjustment on the > stimulators, I started cutting back on my medicine again. There was not too > much more to cut because I had already worked down to a very small dose > daily. (compared to what I was taking before the surgery) Well I don't know > any other way to say it but SINCE THE 8TH OF JULY I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY > PARKINSON MEDICINE!!!!!!!!! That is two weeks ago yesterday. I finally > came to the conclusion that the little amount of sinemet that I was taking > wasn't doing much good. And cutting out the medicine completely has enabled > me to eat protein again(I had cut back to practically no protein at all > before the surgery). I really didn't realize how much I missed it and how > important it is for my body. So now(you may wonder) what Parkinson symptoms > do I still have?. Well I have one that I never had before(although I know > it is quite common, just not for me) and that is an overproduction of > saliva. Also my mouth quivers sometimes which it used to do about five > years ago. I am stilll tired, but feeling better than I ever thought I > would again. > > Believe me, my friends, I know that the above described symptoms are nothing > compared to what I had before and what some of you suffer with everyday. > In a way I feel bad writing this because I know that there are a lot of > people out there who could probably benefit from this surgery, but because > of finances and many other reasons, are unable to have it. I am so sorry > for any of you that are described in the previous sentence. > > I won't have another adjustment for several weeks now, but I will let you > all know what things are like then. I know I am very fortunate and blessed > to have been able to have the surgeries. > > Sincerely, > > Diane Leeds > [log in to unmask] > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 02:49:36 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Sid Levin <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: PARKINSN Digest - 23 Jul 2001 - Special issue (#2001-443) Comments: cc: [log in to unmask] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Ray, Who is your Congressman/woman? Has he or she taken a position yet? You can't pester them into voting your way, you've got to try and convince them that it's the RIGHT thing to do. How? I suggest you get a newspaper to cover a visit to a Children's Hospital and a caption about kids are Potential adults and they are suffering now. Or write to your Congressman with a copy to Letters to the Editor, suggesting he go visit a Children's Hospital and explain to those kids why they must suffer. Tell him to explain why people would appaarently prefer that a surplus blastocyst be incinerated instead of utilized to help find a cure for the kid's malady. Please do not blame the Republican Party. The bill we're fighting for is by Senator Specter,, who is Republican and we need every darn Republican we can get. Also Greens and Democrats and even the Wobblies of the world. . El Presidente is not the Party, he is the figurehead for the party. Happy hunting. Sid Levin ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 04:18:53 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Sid Levin <[log in to unmask]> Subject: That darn virus again! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit This is the third email I received from someone I dont know, telling me to to look at the attachment. It came from [log in to unmask] The truly odd part of this, all three repeated to me things I written in to PIEN, I dont think I'm infected because I followed the three rules, 1) Dont open attachments or take candy from a stranger. 2) If it's from someone you know, don't eat the candy unless its wrapped in the original wrapper or you check with your friend, the candy giver 3) If it's from someone you know, and you were expecting it, eat the candy or open the attachment. If a portion of this letter comes back to me with an unexplained attachment, I will definitely conclude the Toronto Server is bugged. Sid ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 05:06:25 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Sid Levin <[log in to unmask]> Subject: More virus details: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The file name in two of the three phony emails I received was: s3msong.MP3.pif (13312 bytes). I don't recall ever encountering a pif suffix before. Can someone explain it to me? I thought bugs came in .exe files. What language is .pif used for? Sid ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 02:31:31 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: NEWS: AUSTRLIA: Small Biotech Company Develops New Stem Cell Lines MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT WIRE: 07/23/2001 6:06 pm ET Small Biotech Company Develops New Stem Cell Lines By Toni Clarke NEW YORK (Reuters) - BresaGen Ltd., a small Australia-based biotechnology company, said on Monday it has developed four human embryonic stem cell lines, joining a handful of companies worldwide to have cloned human cells for medical research. The company, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and plans to list in the U.S. shortly, said the breakthrough is a critical step in its research for treatments of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease, stroke and spinal cord injury. The company said the breakthrough occurred at its facility in Athens, Georgia. The company established a laboratory in the U.S. early this year. The development comes as regulators in Australia and the U.S. debate whether to allow federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Stem cells are parent cells whose progeny can turn into any of the 220 cell types in the body. They can reproduce themselves ad infinitum, providing material that researchers believe could help fight disease. "Our particular interest is in learning how to make cells that are useful in treating spinal cord injuries and diseases such as Parkinson's," said John Smeaton, the company's chief executive, who splits his time between Georgia and Adelaide. "If we can turn our cells into pure populations of other types of cells, then that population could be useful for therapeutic purposes." The creation of pure, stable cell lines is not easy. Nature magazine estimates there are around 20 human cell lines world wide. Each line originates from a cell taken from the inside of a one- to five-day embryo. Smeaton said BresaGen's supply of embryos come from an in-vitro fertilization clinic. He said the company only uses embryos that would have been discarded y the clinic. BresaGen is a tiny company, with just $1 million in revenue in 2000. Yet it has already made news as the company to clone Australia's first pig. It also boasts Steven Stice, a professor at University of Georgia and the first person in the world to clone cattle, as a key consultant. BresaGen said it plans to license access to its cell lines to researchers or to trade access in return for certain rights to any products developed from them. The company is working to prove it can cure humans from Parkinson's disease in the same way it has cured mice. "There has been some research in this area and the results have been mixed," said Smeaton. "We're trying to build on that research." The company's next step is to target the exact place in the brain to insert the new cells. It is working with five universities to develop a technology. It is also working on a technology that would grow cell lines using no material from animals. To date, all human cell lines have been developed using a so-called feeder-layer of nutrients that come from mice. By the time BresaGen goes into human trials -- which Smeaton estimates could be in two to three years time -- it wants to have replaced mouse-based feeder-layer with a human feeder-layer. That's because regulators are concerned that using mice or other animals could result in viruses jumping into the human population. "If we developed a product using the method we use now it would be treated much more strictly by regulators than if we used cells which had had no contact with animal matter," Smeaton said. Developing a human-based feeder-layer, however, is not just a matter of transferring the technique used to produce mouse nutrients. That's because the feeder-layers come from mice that are at a late stage of embryonic development. They are about to be born. "Obviously you can't do that with human embryos," Smeaton said. However, he said BresaGen is a matter of months away from completing an acceptable alternative method of producing human nutrients. "We're well down the track to doing that," Smeaton said. "We're talking months rather than years." SOURCE: Reuters News Service http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20010723_491.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 09:10:58 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Use of the emergency room In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Samantha-- just call the APDA at : 1-800-223-2732 and request Educational supplement #16 . I also received it, as I think everyone on their mailing list would have. >ira, > >how do i find the article? sounds useful to have on file. > >sami >-- > >On Mon, 23 Jul 2001 14:53:26 Ira Wile wrote: >>The American Parkinson's Disease Association, Inc. Educational supplement >>#16 which was received today has an excellent article about not going to >>the emergency room. I highly recommend it. I do not have a scanner or >>would have included it. Camilla Flintermann, former CG for Peter 83/70/55 Oxford, Ohio <[log in to unmask]> on the web at http://www.geocities.com/camillahf/index.html and also at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm "Ask me about the CARE list for Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! " And visit the CARE webring at http://www.pdcaregiver.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 10:41:54 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Ed Grskovich <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: More virus details: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 7/24/01 4:15:34 AM, [log in to unmask] writes: << pif suffix >> From: http://www.computeruser.com/news/00/10/27/news10.html Daily News Kaspersky Lab Warns Over PIF Format Files By Sylvia Dennis October 27, 2000 As new variants of the infamous ILOVEYOU virus continue to arrive on users' PCs with monotonous regularity, Kaspersky Lab has warned users to be on the lookout for a new generation of malware using the program information file (PIF) file format. The Russian IT security specialist said that while there are some quite legitimate files being sent by e-mail with the PIF file extension, PC users should nevertheless be very wary of any file with a PIF extension. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 11:16:05 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Pig Cell Therapy & The Law Comments: To: [log in to unmask] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Group - Over the past weekend a documentary film crew, from PBS, was in Newport to interview yours truly about my pig cell implantation surgery for PD. Believe it or not, we will soon be at that xenotransplantation's 5th anniversary. It was a very interesting session as it was largely concerned with some difficult legal questions. We discussed, for example, whether or not living organisms can be patented, who will pay the costs for the research, and what part of the population will receive "spare parts" harvested from animals. The first part of the interview took place in my house and at the Newport harbor's waterfront. The second session was taped at my regular family doctor's office. All in all it was a good, but tiring, day. We started at 9:00 AM and finished at 4:30 PM. You can't imagine how much equipment is involved! This film will probably not be released for 6 (or more) months. Based on past experience this type of program can take up to a year in editing and production. For those who have not seen it, my online diary of experiences with this surgical procedure can be read at the URL below. http://www.geocities.com/jimcfinn/index.html Regards - Jim Finn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 18:55:34 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Jacob M. Drollinger" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Protocol for phase III trials MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear friends, What, generally, is the protocol for phase III drug trials? Jacob ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 20:20:39 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: DBS Surgery MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Diane, does Medicare pay for DBS or palliodotomies? Can anyone tell me. Rayilyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 18:30:01 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Diane Leeds <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: DBS Surgery MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Hi Rayilyn, As far as I know they do pay for the DBS. Don't know about pallodotomies. Diane ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rayilyn Brown" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 5:20 PM Subject: Re: DBS Surgery > Diane, does Medicare pay for DBS or palliodotomies? Can anyone tell me. > Rayilyn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 18:44:54 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Protocol for phase III trials Comments: cc: "Jacob M. Drollinger" <[log in to unmask]> In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT On 24 Jul 2001, at 18:55, Jacob M. Drollinger wrote: > Dear friends, > > What, generally, is the protocol for phase III drug trials? > > Jacob > Hi Jacob and Good Evening All, On the WWWeb, there is a document "Good Clinical Practice". THERAPEUTIC PRODUCTS DIRECTORATE GUIDELINES ICH HARMONIZED TRIPARTITE GUIDELINE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HARMONISATION OF TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF PHARMACEUTICALS FOR HUMAN USE GOOD CLINICAL PRACTICE: CONSOLIDATED GUIDELINE Published by authority of the Minister of Health http://www.ncehr-cnerh.org/english/gcp/index.htm click on Table of Contents Scroll down to: 6. CLINICAL TRIAL PROTOCOL AND PROTOCOL AMENDMENT(S) ******** How to write the Clinical Trial http://www.worldmedic.com/research%25/howtowrite.htm About Clinical Trials http://www.drugstudycentral.com/clinitrial.htm NIH Guide: PARKINSON DISEASE NEUROPROTECTION CLINICAL TRIAL: CLINICAL CENTERS http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-02-010.html Search Clinical Trials http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui Search on parkinson (Later scroll down and click on Resource - Understanding Clinical Trials) Amgen Clinical Trials http://www.amgentrials.com/index.html http://www.amgentrials.com/patients/index.html What is a Clinical Trial? http://www.amgentrials.com/patients/whatistrial.html I hope this will answer most of your questions. Cheers ........ murray [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 20:45:38 -0500 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: John Cottingham <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Protocol for phase III trials MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Generally Phase III trials involve a period on placebo/medicine, a wash out period and then another period with placebo/medicine. This is to determine if the medicine works. Neither your or the researcher know when you are getting the medicine or the placebo. From this trial they determine the effectiveness of the medicine vs placebo. One would suppose that statistically more people would do better on the medicine but some do better on the placebo. If the compound works and is statistically better than placebo, they go on to Phase IV studies. Phase IV studies which break down the population by age and ethnicity are used to determine optional dosage for the different populations. John Cottingham ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 20:53:54 -0500 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: John Cottingham <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: DBS Surgery MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Yes Rayilyn, Medicare does pay their portion of the cost of DBS. If you have supplemental insurance it generally pays the rest. Medicare Part A deductible is $792. If your supplement pays this deductible there should be no out of pocket expense for you. If your supplemental insurance doesn't pay the deductible, you are expected to pay it. If the surgery is done at two different times, your out of pocket expense could be $792 X 2. If you don't have a supplemental policy it is possible for the hospital and doctors to expect you pay the difference medicare doesn't pay. Different facilities have different screening criteria for access to this procedure. In my group, were folks with ET and young and old parkies. John Cottingham ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 22:11:28 -0600 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Schaaf Angus / Meadow Creek Ranch <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Virus still going around ! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Quick report - just got an email from Jodie Davis from Park AU with a = "take a look to attachment" - Another who is probably unaware ???? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 01:11:54 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Camilla and all, it seems Ray's point has been lost like a lot of others. Tonite, Gephardt, who supports scr mentioned abortion as part of the equation or argument. I try to explain when I can to everyone I talk to. All people seem to know is Michael J. Fox is doing something about PD or that it is about fetuses or have never heard of scr. Didn't someone post that in Australia these petrie dish blastocysts were being done without sperm? Thought I read that. The local paper butchers my ltrs when they print them. Rayilyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 00:52:38 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Human stem cells help paralyzed rats, mice to walk MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Human stem cells help paralyzed rats, mice to walk Johns Hopkins study could assist people, be a key to funding Wednesday, July 25, 2001 By Michael Woods, Block News Alliance BAR HARBOR, Maine -- Johns Hopkins University scientists yesterday reported using human stem cells to restore the ability to walk in rats and mice paralyzed by nerve damage like that found in several human diseases. "So far as we know, this is the first time human stem cells have produced recovery from a disease in any animal, " said head researcher, Dr. John P. Gearhart. Gearhart, an internationally known stem cell authority, said the achievement addresses one of the major objections to federal funding for stem cell research. Human embryonic stem cells are "building block" cells that develop into every other kind of cell found in the body. Researchers believe they can make replacements for body tissue lost to disease or injury -- including whole new hearts, kidneys and other organs for transplantation. Nevertheless, the federal government has refused to fund embryonic stem cell research because aborted fetuses are a major source of the cells. They can be obtained in other ways, one of which involves destroying human embryos stored in fertility clinics. The Hopkins research was done with stem cells obtained from human fetuses aborted at 5-8 weeks of age. One argument against federal funding, Gearhart noted, is that human stem cells have not yet been shown effective in treating a disease. The new findings weaken that argument, he said. "It's one thing to see evidence that stem cells work in laboratory culture diseases, " Gearhart said at a renowned conference on genetics, this year's being the 42nd Short Course in Medical and Experimental Mammalian Genetics. "And it's quite another to see actual function restored in an animal." Videos showed the reversal of paralysis in the laboratory animals to be dramatic. Researchers injected human neural stem cells into the spinal fluid of about 80 rats and mice paralyzed by a virus that attacks and destroys nerve cells that control muscle movement. Normally, animals infected with the Sindbis virus permanently lose the ability to move their limbs, as neurons leading from the spinal cord to muscles deteriorate. Animals drag limp legs and feet behind them. All of the animals treated with human embryonic stem cells recovered the ability to walk, although not with a normal gait. Researchers believe the cells may have reversed paralysis in two ways. They may have grown into new rodent nerve cells that replaced the cells killed by the Sindbis virus or they may have produced chemicals that signaled the rodent nerve cells to start growing. Rodents infected with Sindbis virus are used as a model for spinal motor atrophy. It is the most common inherited neurological disease and the most common inherited cause of infant death. SMA affects as many as 1 in 6,000 infants, causing nerves leading from the spinal cord to the muscles to deteriorate. Children with SMA are born weak, have difficulty swallowing, breathing and walking. Most die in infancy, although some live into early childhood. Gearhart said stem cell research may have its most immediate application in treating SMA and a related condition, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS affects up to 20,000 adults, leading to whole-body paralysis and death as motor nerves linking the brain, spinal cord and muscles die. Project ALS, a New York City organization that battles the disease, funded the Hopkins research. The treatment could be tested on humans within a few years, Gearhart said. He predicted the ethical and religious concerns over stem cell research will vanish as scientists discover ways of making different kinds of cells without using embryos. But he emphasized that federal funding of embryonic stem cell research is essential to developing those alternative techniques -- a step that could take 10 years with ample funding and longer without it. SOURCE: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette http://www.post-gazette.com/healthscience/20010725woodshealth3p3.asp * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 00:52:54 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: House Panel Passes Anti-Cloning Bill MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT House Panel Passes Anti-Cloning Bill By JANELLE CARTER Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP)--The House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill Tuesday that would prohibit human cloning, following a lengthy debate that also delved into stem cell research. In passing the bill 18-11, lawmakers said they wanted to keep scientists from applying the same technique on humans that was used to clone Dolly the sheep in 1997. The measure now goes before the full House. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson praised the committee, saying its action puts Congress on the right track toward prohibiting the cloning of human beings. ``Supporting medical research to combat human disease and infirmity is immensely important to this administration,'' he said. ``However, science does not and cannot proceed in a moral vacuum. The ethical issues posed by human cloning and the implications for the child creates are particularly troubling.'' But as the cloning bill has moved through the House, a debate has arisen over stem cell research. President Bush will soon decide whether to permit federal funds for medical research on stem cells pulled from human embryos. Just Monday, Pope John Paul II urged Bush to reject the idea. As the president has grappled with his decision, so have lawmakers, including many staunch anti-abortion Republicans. In recent weeks, some--like Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah--have announced their support for stem cell research. Tuesday in the House, many Democrats voiced concern that an outright ban on human cloning would also prohibit stem cell and other types of research. ``This may be known as the point in the meeting this morning when we try to play doctor and that's bad for American patients,'' said Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the leading Democrat on the committee. ``This would stop ongoing studies designed to help people (that are) suffering.'' Republican members said action is needed before science advances to the point where humans are cloned. They said the bill only affects human cloning and does not restrict the use of cloning technology to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants or animals other than humans. Stem cells are building blocks for all human tissue. The most versatile cells are derived from embryos discarded at fertility clinics, but some abortion opponents say it is wrong to use them for research. Opponents of the bill argued that the use of cloning technology to create embryos for research purposes should be allowed. The Biotechnology Industry Association voiced its opposition to the bill in a letter to committee members that stated, ``Cloning techniques in research are integral to the production of breakthrough medicines, diagnostics and vaccines to treat heart attacks, various cancers, Alzheimer's, diabetes, hepatitis and other diseases.'' The cloning research could also produce replacement skin, cartilage and bone tissue for burn and accident victims, the industry said. ``In addition to shutting the door on important research, (the bill) will limit patients' access to possibly life saving products,'' the industry said. For some, the debate became emotional. ``An embryo is human life. It is not a speck of dust,'' said Rep. Henry Hyde, an Illinois Republican and outspoken abortion foe. ``Is it appropriate to create human life in a petri dish and then destroy that life to get at a cell? I say no.'' But Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, retorted, ``An embryo is a clump of a few cells. How can you say to somebody who you could cure of a deadly disease 'we will not cure you because you are less important than a clump of cells.''' Democrats tried unsuccessfully several times during the hearing to offer amendments that would exempt research techniques from the ban. Meanwhile, the committee waded into another murky topic by passing by a voice vote a bill that would ensure that a fetus breathing when it leaves a mother's womb, even during an abortion procedure, would be treated as a person under federal law. Nadler and other Democrats had initially opposed the measure, saying it was an attempt to chip away at abortion rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade. Tuesday, Nadler told the committee, ``Whatever concerns anyone may have had that this might become some clever way to undermine the rights protected under Roe v. Wade have, I think, been addressed. ... I have little doubt that it will be passed without much controversy.'' The Senate has already attached the measure to patients' rights legislation that passed earlier this month. ___ The Human Cloning Prohibition Act is H.R. 2505. The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act is H.R. 2175. On the Net: The text of the bills can be found at http://thomas.loc.gov Judiciary Committee: http://www.house.gov/judiciary/ AP-NY-07-24-01 2255EDT SOURCE: The Waco Tribune / Associated Press http://www.wacotrib.com/news/ap_story.html/Washington/AP.V3743.AP-Cloning-Abortio.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 01:21:48 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Discovery Health Channel and Yale School of Medicine partnership... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: Quoted-printable Title:=A0 Discovery Health and Yale School of Medicine Form Groundbreaking Partnership To Provide On-Line/On-Air Medical Expertise -- Families, Children and Cutting Edge Medicine Highlighted in Website Presence Summary:=A0 BETHESDA, Md., Jul 24, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Discovery Health Channel and Yale School of Medicine today announced a groundbreaking partnership that combines the knowledge and expertise of the Yale faculty with the far-reaching influence of the Discovery Health Channel. In addition to extensive use of Yale professors throughout Discovery Health programming, the partnership calls for a significant Yale presence on the channel's companion website, discoveryhealth.com. SOURCE Discovery Health Channel; Yale School of Medicine Web Sites: http://www.discoveryhealth.com http://health.discovery.com/ * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2001 09:36:37 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: janet dowell <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Crawly Feeling MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable hi my name is janet-i go by wildjan ha ha-i an 49 and have hd pd for 14 y= ears. in many ways i am lucky-i never have had tremor-howevr i have free= zing real bad-my knees are very callosed from falling on them=3Dgood bon= es-have nrver broken any bones. i am very activ-i bowl on a league and i = ride my mountain bike-just rode in the big STP seattle to portland bicycl= e challenge. i represented the northwest parkinsons foundation on TEAM P= ARKINSONS . this was my 2nd year . would enjoy communicating with othr ac= tive pd patints thnx-janet =20 ----- Original Message ----- From: Ed Grskovich Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2001 8:14 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Crawly Feeling In a message dated 7/19/01 8:49:18 PM, [log in to unmask] writes: << crawly feeling >> Dear Jacob, What a great description! Over the next few months, neurologists will ha= ve to add that word to their charts as we all now know what to call it. I ma= y have had something like that (to me, a claustrophobic feeling), before we knew I had PD. My Internist prescribed Clonazepam (Klonopin)--an anti-an= xity drug. I take one-half of a 1MG ahead of time when I expect trouble. For= me, it works quickly. Later, the Neuro agreed that It was OK to continue to u= se Clonazepam, as needed, along with my Requip. I have read that, to some, this class of drugs, benzodiazepines, can be addicting, but I can now go for weeks without even that half pill--but, I always try to remember to have some around in my pocket before visits to = the dentist, crowded places, etc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] .ca In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsnGet more from the Web. F= REE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2001 09:45:07 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: janet dowell <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: young parkinson's/ New Book on sale MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable i too am a yopd patient-. i am now 49 and have h pd for 14 years. it's a= struggle,but i keep ver active. i bowl aqnd ride a bike; shhot poland da= rts and even tgo dancing!!! you are only limited by your self don't let i= t get you email me if you would like janet ----- Original Message ----- From: Ivan M Suzman Sent: Friday, July 20, 2001 7:46 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: young parkinson's/ New Book on sale Hi Jodie, Your young-onset Parkinsonian's friend can try to go to the web at Amazon.com , or contact Hunter Press in Alameda , California, and order a wonderful new book, "When Parkinson's Strikes Early ," by Linda Herman and Barbara Blake-Krebs. Another suggestion is that the American Parkinson's Disease Association has a Young Parkinson's newsletter and excellent help available from its YOPD office in Illinois. The new YOPD book is being published in August. There are many contributers, all with YOPD. Sincerely, Ivan Suzman 51-39-36 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] .ca In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsnGet more from the Web. F= REE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 09:39:10 -0500 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: News <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Iron-storing disorders shed light on Parkinson's MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Iron-storing disorders shed light on Parkinson's July 24, 2001 NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers have uncovered genetic defects underlying two rare disorders in which iron builds up in brain cells, resulting in deteriorating brain function. The findings may help researchers understand more common disorders, such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's disease, which also involve increased levels of iron in brain cells, researchers say. The two studies were reported July 23 in an online publication of Nature Genetics. In the first study, Dr. John Burn from the Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, and his colleagues identified a genetic mutation that resulted in patients having symptoms similar to those of people with Huntington's or Parkinson's disease. The symptoms of the disorder, called adult-onset basal ganglia disease, include involuntary movements, spasticity and rigidity, and typically strike patients between 40 to 55 years of age. However, the patients do not show a decline in reasoning ability. Burn's team examined genetic material from five patients with the disorder and compared it with that of three healthy people. The investigators found that all of the affected individuals had a defective version of an iron-storing protein, which could cause iron to accumulate in brain cells. In the second paper, Dr. Susan J. Hayflick from the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, and colleagues describe their discovery of the genetic defect underlying a rare disorder called Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome (HSS). These patients, numbering about 100 in the US, also suffer severe damaging effects from a buildup of iron in their brain cells. "People with Parkinson's disease have increases of iron in their brain in some of the same areas in which it is increased in HSS," Hayflick told Reuters Health. "We are speculating that some variation in this gene (that causes HSS) may be at the basis of the common forms of Parkinson's disease," she said. "We are actually looking now at a group of Parkinson's patients to see if there are changes in this gene," Hayflick said. "We don't think this gene is going to be the cause of all Parkinson's disease, but it may be a significant contributor," she said. According to Hayflick, the iron buildup is caused by a mutated protein that is unable to break down a B vitamin called pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5. This defect, through a chain of events, may trigger the accumulation of iron, she said. Hayflick did not want to speculate on whether taking pantothenic acid as a vitamin supplement may help or hinder HSS or Parkinson's, but she said, "we are working to develop compounds (based on pantothenic acid) that would be able to get into cells in order to treat the disorder(s)." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 08:46:30 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Paul Ayers <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Help!! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Dear List, Well once again I turn the list for help. At 51 years, I have been caught up in the new American economy called "corporate downsizing". It came as a real shock. As I sat in the "downsizing" meeting, my mind swirled, What am I going to do? I can't write, so filling out an employment application is impossible. How will I ever sit still through an interview? If I can't fill out an app, does that mean I am disabled? So I turn to you the list for help. Has this happened to any of you? Do you have any legal and moral experience. I sit here at home not sure what to do. I have plenty of confidence that my mind works just fine, but the PD has taken its toll, I would appreciate any info, help, or suggestions. Thank You, Paul Ayers [log in to unmask] --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 10:26:54 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: David Moreland <[log in to unmask]> Subject: STN DBS, a question Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Here is a question; has anyone on this list had a STN DBS after having a bilateral Pallidotomy Or does someone know of a person who has? If So, What were the rersults? Were they positive? You may write me off the list Yours and His David L Moreland ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 10:31:48 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Travels_With_Parkinsons Talk-radio_With_A_Purpose <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Tomorrow! on Travels With Parkinson's - Talk-radio With a Purpose MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Travels With Parkinson's ~ Talk-radio With a Purpose Talk-radio? Travels With Parkinson's is a weekly talk-radio show the first of its kind to be broadcast Live! over the World Wide Web using AudioStreaming technology. I am your host, Leonard Casavant also known as "Chy" and I have had Parkinson's disease for 10 years. Join me while I travel through cyberspace to talk with others who are involved with Parkinson's. With a Purpose? Yup, three of them. 1. Raise awareness and understanding of Parkinson's disease. 2. Fund the research. 3. Find the cure. Who's On the Show This Week? BROADCAST WEEK 50: ENDING 2001/07/28 Show 50a Thursday 26th July 2001 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am EDT Live! Broadcast from CHILLI-cothe ILLI-nois from the home of Joan E. Blessington Snyder recipient of the Sidney Dorros Memorial Award Listen to the broadcast on VoiceAmerica Phone in to talk to Chy and his guests Joan Snyder, Donna Dorros and Peggy Willocks, toll-free on 1-888-355-5204 Add your voice to the show! Show 50b Thursday 26th July 2001 from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm EDT Taped! as originally broadcast this morning! from CHILLI-cothe ILLI-nois from the home of Joan E. Blessington Snyder recipient of the Sidney Dorros Memorial Award Listen to the re-broadcast on VoiceAmerica Sorry no call-ins! What's New? See the New! "What's New?" Page What shows are you planning for the future? Join our intrepid cyber traveler "Chy" that talk-radio guy as he seeks the answers to these questions ... What's Happening in Canada? What's Happening Simultaneously in New York and Florida? What's Happening with Tulips? What's Happening in September? How Can I Listen to the Live! Shows On-Air? To listen Live! point your StreamAudio-enabled web browser to: VoiceAmerica To talk Live! point your telephone toll-free to: 1-888-355-5204 Who Else Has Been On Your Show? We have been honoured by many People With Parkinson's (PWP) as well as Care-Givers (CG), medical professionals, parkinson organisation representatives and patient advocates, all actively pursuing our shared goals. For more details, including links to any World Wide Web sites affiliated with our guests, see the Programme Schedule. How Is This Project Being Funded? Through donations from people like you and me. I am constantly seeking sponsors to ensure that the show goes on! The shows started on 2000/08/06, and will keep on going as long as the interest and support is out there. Travels With Parkinson's is a non-profit project supported solely by volunteers and every individual Parky Star Whom May I Contact? [image of chy's hat] Phone: 517-448-7752 Leonard "Chy" Casavant E-Mail: 115 Cross Street [log in to unmask] [image of gaited horse] Hudson, Michigan, WebSite: 49247 Travels With USA Parkinson's Webspinner Updated Pages Visits 2001/01/03 2001/07/25 Search: 102 [Site Meter] This BrainTalk Communities WebRing site is owned by Leonard 'Chy' Casavant [logo and link to braintalk.org] | List All [logo and link to braintalk.org] Sites | View Statistics | Join! | | Previous | Skip Next | Next 5 Sites | Random Site | Next | | Travels With Parkinson's Home Page | Programme Schedule | PARKYTHON 2001 | VoiceAmerica | http://www.geocities.com/chycasavant/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 12:48:44 -0500 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Sue Weiler <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Help!! In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Paul, I was forced to quit by my employer because they were worried about their insurance rates. It took almost a year, but I won a discrimination suit against them this Spring. I had applied for lots of jobs. I tried to sit on my hands, but they noticed anyway. No one hired me, so after 18 months I gave up and applied to our state department of vocational rehab. They have helped me to set up an at home universal building design business with a computer aided drafting program. They purchased an ergonomic chair, a nice microphone for future voice activated programs and paid for half of my speedy new computer. I know, with a few adaptations (I can't write legibly either), I could have continued with my original job. I also believe I could have done the jobs that I applied for. It is very unfair to be treated this way. I got mad and I got even. My hope is that my former employer will at least think twice before trying the lousy tactics, with another disabled employee, that they used to get me to quit. I feel for you. I don't know what you need to do in your situation, but maybe my story will show you that, with some effort, there is life after downsizing. Sue PS I am 54 and receiving SSDI unless & until my fledgling business takes off. At 08:46 AM 7/25/2001 -0700, you wrote: >Dear List, > >Well once again I turn the list for help. At 51 years, I have been caught >up in the new American economy called "corporate downsizing". It came as >a real shock. As I sat in the "downsizing" meeting, my mind swirled, What >am I going to do? I can't write, so filling out an employment application >is impossible. How will I ever sit still through an interview? If I >can't fill out an app, does that mean I am disabled? So I turn to you the >list for help. Has this happened to any of you? Do you have any legal and >moral experience. I sit here at home not sure what to do. I have plenty >of confidence that my mind works just fine, but the PD has taken its >toll, I would appreciate any info, help, or suggestions. > >Thank You, > >Paul Ayers [log in to unmask] > > > > > >--------------------------------- >Do You Yahoo!? >Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger >http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] >In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 14:55:35 -0500 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Lanny D. Weddel" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Help!! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Paul: be sure to look thoroughly at your company's Long Term Disability plan and go for it before you are separated. There should be a wealth of info coming out here as soon as other list members see your request. Your dilema is not new. Lanny D. Weddel [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Ayers" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2001 10:46 AM Subject: Help!! > Dear List, > > Well once again I turn the list for help. At 51 years, I have been caught up in the new American economy called "corporate downsizing". It came as a real shock. As I sat in the "downsizing" meeting, my mind swirled, What am I going to do? I can't write, so filling out an employment application is impossible. How will I ever sit still through an interview? If I can't fill out an app, does that mean I am disabled? So I turn to you the list for help. Has this happened to any of you? Do you have any legal and moral experience. I sit here at home not sure what to do. I have plenty of confidence that my mind works just fine, but the PD has taken its toll, I would appreciate any info, help, or suggestions. > > Thank You, > > Paul Ayers [log in to unmask] > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Do You Yahoo!? > Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger > http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 16:01:44 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Sid Levin <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Is the TorontoU PIEN server infected? I THINK SO!!! Comments: cc: John Cottingham <[log in to unmask]> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Last night, I sent in to the PIEN a notice that I had received three emails with attachments and they probably had that "worm." All three were direct quotes of STATEMENTS that I had put on your Toronto Server. Follwing my usual procedure, I deleted them without opening the attachments In todays mail, I received the latest TorontoU service postings and immediately after, was another phony email. It seems to me that this "instant" Kick-back could only have been done with a worm in YOUR server. I firmly believe that your system is bugged. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 18:18:03 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: DBS Surgery MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Thank you Diane, and I am thanking you on list in case anyone else would like the answer to this question. It is a comfort to know Medicare will pay for DBS. Rayilyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 19:43:06 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Linda J Herman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Nursing Home Wing for PWP MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear list members, We hear about many problems that PWP often experience in nursing homes and hospitals, but few solutions. About a week ago, Marge Moylan posted an article she wrote about how The Central NY Parkinson's Support Group tackled this problem in their community, but unfortunately it was right in the middle of the list's virus attack, and i suspect was missed by many. I'm reposting Marge's article, with her permission for those who missed it. It is a great story about a great group of people. Are there any other PD organizations that are addressing care issues, like this one or in different ways? It would be helpful to hear about what is going on in other places. Marge is the newsletter editor of the Central NY Parkinson's Support Group. She wrote: "Some time ago, Nancy McCaffrey, my co-editor, posted a question on the PIEN, asking if anyone knew of a nursing home facility anywhere in the county with a separate wing for patients with Parkinson's. Her search didn't turn up anything like this, so we are assuming that we are one of a kind and hopefully the first of many. The Presbyterian Homes of Central New York are located in New Hartford, NY, which is near Utica. " Marge's ARTICLE: Parkinson Wing a Reality By now many of you have heard about the great excitement for PWP in our area. A special separate wing for patients who have Parkinson's disease has opened at the Presbyterian Home in New Hartford. As far as we know this is a national first, a wing in a skilled nursing facility set up especially to treat PD patients. Those of you who don't have much experience with Parkinson's may wonder why PWP need a special unit. It's not that they are unfriendly. It's just that their care, to be of the best quality, needs to be different from that of the general nursing home population. Medication is one of the most important considerations. Not only do we not fit into the nursing home's regimen, we are all different from one another. Each patient's meds are tailored to his own needs, but the one thing we have in common is we need our pills ON TIME. Without them, we tend to become frozen, unable to move. There is no point in trying to make a PWP get up and exercise when he is off, in other words his medicine is not working. It is frustrating for the patient and could be dangerous. He can't move easily and his balance is impaired. By waiting until he is on, meds working, he will be able to enjoy his exercise, with less chance of getting hurt. There are dietary restrictions for some PWP in that they cannot have a meal heavy in protein before their medicine. The protein will prevent the medicine from getting to the brain where it is needed. Then there is the fact that PWPs frequently don't sleep well at night. Putting them to bed at the usual early nursing home hour won't work . While a certain percentage of Parkinson's people suffer from dementia, they are in a minority. Most are fully aware and able to take part in their own care. Another reason for our joy over this project is the home has just opened a brand new rehab facility, complete with pool, which is furnished particularly with equipment to meet the needs of PD. The really good news is that this will be open to outpatients with Parkinson's as well as residents. We of the Central NY Parkinson's Support Group are proud to have been asked to be a part of this. Six of us have served on the steering committee: Evelyn Petrie, Mary Wrege, Ed and Nancy McCaffrey, and Pat and Marge Moylan. Seymour Petrie, Evelyn's husband, Mary's father, spent the last years of his life at the Presbyterian Home and was to have been the first resident on the designated PD wing. Unfortunately Seymour passed away last fall, but I think he would be pleased at what we have accomplished. The M & M Show (McCaffreys and Moylans) did a series of in-service training sessions on PD for the staff at the home. The Parkinson wing accepted its first patient on June 11. Since the good publicity on the new wing, thanks to WUTR, WKTV, and Bill Farrell at the Observer-Dispatch, the home has been kept very busy with calls from interested folks. The enthusiasm of Tony Joseph, director of the Presbyterian Home, is contagious and has certainly been the catalyst for this project. It has been a pleasure working with him and the other members of his staff. Nobody really wants to go into a nursing home, but if it becomes inevitable and you have PD, the Presbyterian Home is the place I'd want to be. Marge Moylan ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 17:42:43 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Tomorrow! on Travels With Parkinson's MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Hi All, A little "heads up" came my way... I'd like to invite y'all to listen to Chy and his guests... Read on.... * * * Travels With Parkinson's ~ Talk-radio With a Purpose Who's On the Show This Week? BROADCAST WEEK 50: ENDING 2001/07/28 Show 50a Thursday 26th July 2001 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am EDT Live! Broadcast from CHILLI-cothe ILLI-nois from the home of Joan E. Blessington Snyder recipient of the Sidney Dorros Memorial Award Listen to the broadcast on VoiceAmerica Phone in to talk to Chy and his guests Joan Snyder, Donna Dorros and Peggy Willocks, toll-free on 1-888-355-5204 Add your voice to the show! Show 50b Thursday 26th July 2001 from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm EDT Taped! as originally broadcast this morning! from CHILLI-cothe ILLI-nois from the home of Joan E. Blessington Snyder recipient of the Sidney Dorros Memorial Award Listen to the re-broadcast on VoiceAmerica Sorry no call-ins! http://www.geocities.com/chycasavant/ * * * [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 03:09:33 +0200 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Hans van der Genugten <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: STN DBS, a question Comments: cc: [log in to unmask] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi David, >> has anyone on this list had a STN DBS after having a bilateral Pallidotomy Or does someone know of a person who has? If So, What were the rersults? Were they positive? << First a note: I have NOT had this procedure myself. There have been studies of DBS of the STN, and there is about 5 years (in Europe) of experience with larger groups of patients with DBS of the STN. There have been NO studies with patients having a DBS of the STN after a (bilateral) pallidotomy, but there have been a few individual cases in which DBS of the STN was performed after a pallidotomy some years before. The results IN THESE FEW EXPERIMENTAL INDIVIDUAL CASES seem to indicate that a DBS of the STN, after a previous pallidotomy, has in general the same benifits, BUT NOT QUITE AS EFFECTIVE as a DBS of the STN would have been without a previous pallidotomy. The outcome of DBS of the STN after a pallidotomy is still highly impredictable, and should IMO for the moment only be considered after a VERY CAREFUL evaluation of the patient by a VERY EXPERIENCED (in DBS of the STN) neurologist and neurosurgeon. Hans. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 21:25:11 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Don &/or Karen Berns <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Don Berns 7 1/2 Year Pallidotomy (3rd try) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="=====================_8938537==_.ALT" --=====================_8938537==_.ALT Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed 7 1/2 YEAR POST-Pallidotomy REPORT (Surgery date 12/1/93) By Dr. Don Berns United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) On Off Prior to Surgery 12/1/93 -46 -51 Six Years Post-surgery 12/1/99 -4 -12 Seven and one half Years Post-surgery -2 -12 How can I say thanks for the radical transformation that took place in my life 7 1/2 years ago. When I reflect on all that I have been able to do as the result of this operation I am overwhelmed and oh, so grateful. For those of you who are not familiar with my story. Let me say that I had a adrenal graft implant at Vanderbilt in 1987 with minimal benefits. On December 1, 1993 I had a simultaneous bi-lateral pallidotomy. This life changing operation was performed by Dr. Bob Iacono after others had told me I would not be a good candidate since my brain was already compromised by the surgery at Vanderbilt. As has been my commitment to the larger Parkinson's community I have posted updates on my condition every year since surgery. My last update was a 6 year post pallidotomy report. As I head into my eighth year post-surgery I continue to benefit greatly from the pallidotomy COLUMN CODES -1 - SYMPTOM BEFORE SURGERY 0 - 6 mos. AFTER SURGERY 1 - 1 YR. POST-OPT 2 - 2 YR. POST-OPT 3 - 3 YR. POST-OPT 4 - 4 YR. POST-OPT 5 - 5 YR. POST-OPT 6 - 6 YR. POST-OPT 71/2-7.5 YR. POST-OPT BEFORE SURGERY & YEARS POST SURGERY SYMPTOMS -1 0 1 2 3 remor Severe Gone Gone Gone Gone yskinesia Severe Gone Gone Gone Gone weating A Lot Gone Gone Gone Gone Sleep Disturbed Severe Gone Gone Gone Gone yelids Open-Sleep Yes Closed Closed Closed Closed huffle Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone GaitFreeze Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone enseSmell Gone Better Better Better Better MuscleAche Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone ackProblm Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone yskinesia Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone radykinesia Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone exPerfmce Poor Great Great Great Great tress Affect NoEfct NoEfct NoEfct NoEfct Drooling Rare Slight Slight Slight Slight Urgency Urinate Yes No No Slight Slight Dystonia None None None None None Shortness Of Breath Yes None None None None oice Weak Better Better Varies Varies Speech Affect Better Better Better Better Handwritng Bad Normal Normal Normal Normal On-Off Yes Gone Gone Gone Gone Appetite Poor Normal Normal Normal Normal Weight Loss Gain Normal Normal Normal Sense of Well Being Poor Exclnt Exclnt Exclnt Exclnt ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 21:34:29 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Eugene Gascay <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: stopping meds abruptly MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Carmilla- The original message that you sent to Norma contained the refer= ence to PD+ syndromes. Since I am new to this guessing game, could you t= ell me what these syndromes are? Thanks for explaining what may be the o= bvious. Gene. =20 =20 ----- Original Message ----- From: Camilla Flintermann Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2001 8:12 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: stopping meds abruptly =20 Dear Norma---I assume you are aware that PD meds do not "work" for patien= ts who have one of the PD+ syndromes. Has he been evaluated for that ? Has he seen a Movement Disorders Specialist (MDS)neuro? Your signature does not show Gordie's age or age at time of diagnosis, BTW, and those are ve= ry helpful in knowing how to respond to questions/problems. Just a thought---- >We stopped because they were making him stoned. He slept all of the time >and was >receiving NO benefits from the meds at all. At present he is not on any >medication for PD. Nothing worked so I didn't think he needed to be on t= hem >since they had side effects which affected Gordie's quality of life. We = are >trying Rob's supplement program right now. > >Norma Camilla Flintermann, former CG for Peter 83/70/55 Oxford, Ohio <[log in to unmask]> on the web at http://www.geocities.com/camillahf/index.html and also at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm= .htm "Ask me about the CARE list for Caregivers of Parkinsonian= s ! " And visit the CARE webring at http://www.pdcaregiver.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] .ca In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 21:37:25 -0700 Reply-To: Martha Terry <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Martha Terry <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Is the TorontoU PIEN server infected? I THINK SO!!! MIME-version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT On Sunday, July 22, Norton Anti-Virus picked up the virus in two posts, both with the same title., and both had been posted on July 21. They were quarantined and deleted, but I have no idea how much damage, if any, they did. I notified everyone that I exchange e-mail with regularly and so far nobody has reported any problems. I also notified the authors of the two posts, as a friendly "heads-up," and one of them chose to take it as an accusation. It was by no means meant that way. I have only posted here once before, in June, so I doubt that the target is regular posters ~~ however, I am a regular reader! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 07:40:43 -0500 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: John Cottingham <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Is the TorontoU PIEN server infected? I THINK SO!!! Comments: To: [log in to unmask] MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Martha, it is a world wide epidemic. The SirCam virus is infecting computers world wide and replys to messages kept on users in boxes. Someone evidently liked you post and kept it in their in box. That is why you got a couple. Several of the Parkinsn subscribers have had their machines infected but the listserv is not infected. Viruses are sent outside of the listserv by regular email. I am getting the virus attacks from the spam mailers in other countries which is the kiss of death for them because they want you to buy something and their message contains a virus. You have done quite well by using Norton Anti-Virus to protect your email. As of yet, the list administration at the University of Toronto has seen no evidence that the SirCam threat has propagated from the list. Until this present virus has run it's course, 1. I would suggest that folks empty their in boxes of their email program. This is where the virus gets the addresses to reply to. 2. If one doesn't have an anti-virus program get one or use the free one at: http://www.antivirus.com/free_tools/ 3. If you are paranoid, you can set your Parkinsn mail to no mail. You can set your Parkinsn mail options at: http://parkinsons-information-exchange-network-online.com/mailopt.html Click on the button Suspend My Parkinsn Mail. This creates the proper command in your email program to suspend your Parkinsn mail. Send the message. The Parkinsn List mail is viewable and updated every 4 minutes at: http://parkinsons-information-exchange-network-online.com/parkmail.html By suspending your Parkinsn mail you eliminate the risk of getting a virus from the Listserv but you do not reduce the risk of someone's computer getting infected and then sending you the virus. SirCam is on the same order as the 'Love Bug' virus and is propagating daily. Companies that store sensitive information in their In box are finding their company or personal secrets being used as a vehicle to spread the virus. Our users generally have handled this threat very well with only a few being infected. I guage this thought on the fact that very few of my posts have come back as virus threats. Junk mail seems to be the area where most of the threat is coming from now. As for the thread, "Is the TorontoU PIEN server infected? I THINK SO!!!", isn't an appropriate topic of discussion here because these type of concerns should be directed to the list management at: [log in to unmask] John Cottingham co-owner Parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 07:49:57 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Travels_With_Parkinsons Talk-radio_With_A_Purpose <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Travels With Parkinsons (Snyder/Dorros) to be rescheduled MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We regret that due to a technical error beyond our control, we were unable to broadcast as scheduled this morning. We will re-post the re-scheduled broadcast time as soon as it is available. Travels With Parkinsons Talk-radio With a Purpose http://www.geocities.com/chycasavant/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 10:47:29 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: stopping meds abruptly In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Gene-- there is lots of material in the archives re: PD+ syndromes, and I suggest that in addition to what I fwd to you from my files you check that out also. Take care-- >Carmilla- The original message that you sent to Norma contained the >reference to PD+ syndromes. Since I am new to this guessing game, could >you tell me what these syndromes are? Thanks for explaining what may be >the obvious. Gene. Camilla Flintermann, former CG for Peter 83/70/55 Oxford, Ohio <[log in to unmask]> on the web at http://www.geocities.com/camillahf/index.html and also at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm "Ask me about the CARE list for Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! " And visit the CARE webring at http://www.pdcaregiver.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 10:05:57 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Paul Ayers <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Legal MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Does anyone know of a disability attorney in the Indianapolis, IN area? --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 13:32:57 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Travels_With_Parkinsons Talk-radio_With_A_Purpose <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Friday at 10:00 am! Snyder/Dorros Rescheduled TWP MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Travels With Parkinson's Talk-radio With a Purpose ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Who's On the Show This Week? BROADCAST WEEK 50: ENDING 2001/07/28 Show 50a Re-scheduled! Friday 27th July 2001 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am EDT Live! Broadcast from CHILLI-cothe ILLI-nois from the home of Joan E. Blessington Snyder recipient of the Sidney Dorros Memorial Award Listen to the broadcast on VoiceAmerica Phone in to talk to Chy and his guests Joan Snyder, Donna Dorros and Peggy Willocks, toll-free on 1-888-335-5204 Add your voice to the show! Show 50b Re-scheduled! Friday 27th July 2001 from 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm EDT Taped! as originally broadcast this morning! from CHILLI-cothe ILLI-nois from the home of Joan E. Blessington Snyder recipient of the Sidney Dorros Memorial Award Listen to the re-broadcast on VoiceAmerica Sorry no call-ins! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.geocities.com/chycasavant/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 17:54:04 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Perry Cohen <[log in to unmask]> Subject: AMGEN/GUILDFORD PHASE II RESULTS Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit http://www.guilfordpharm.com/fs_whatsnew_nf.htm Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ticker: GLFD, exchange: NASDAQ) News Release - 7/26/2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guilford Pharmaceuticals Announces Completion Of NIL-A Phase II Clinical Trial for Parkinson's Disease BALTIMORE, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: GLFD) announced today that Amgen Inc. has completed a Phase II clinical trial of NIL-A, the neuroimmunophilin ligand licensed to it by Guilford Pharmaceuticals, in patients with Parkinson's disease. This trial is the first clinical evaluation of a neuroimmunophilin ligand in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. About the NIL-A Phase II Clinical Trial The clinical trial conducted by Amgen is a Phase II, randomized, double- blind, placebo- controlled evaluation of the safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of NIL-A in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. Phase II clinical trials of a drug are usually conducted to extend the safety evaluation conducted in Phase I, to determine a dosing regimen for future clinical trials, and to explore the potential efficacy of the drug in a targeted patient population. The efficacy evaluation centers on determining the clinical benefit of treatment, if any, and whether or not all patients or a subgroup appear to benefit. Phase II trials are usually exploratory or hypothesis generating. Confirmatory evidence, gathered in Phase III trials, is almost always needed before final conclusions can be drawn about the safety and efficacy of a new drug. At the 42 participating medical centers in the NIL-A Phase II trial, patients were screened to determine their eligibility for the study and informed consent was obtained from each patient who was offered and accepted enrollment. Patients then received a thorough examination, including a neurological exam, to determine the extent and severity of their disease and all drugs then being administered were recorded. To be eligible, patients had to be optimally treated with antiparkinsonian drugs and have stable clinical symptoms. Upon completing the baseline evaluation, patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo tablets, 200 mg of NIL-A, or 1,000 mg of NIL-A four times a day for 24 weeks. The randomization scheme was blocked by imaging status (see below) but not by treatment center. Subsequently, all patients were periodically evaluated by neurologists expert in Parkinson's disease to determine if they had experienced any side effects from treatment, to measure their blood levels of NIL-A, and to determine if they had experienced any change in their symptoms of Parkinson's disease. SPECT brain scans were obtained with 123I Beta-CIT (DOPASCAN(R) Injection) in a subset of the patients to obtain a measure of the density of dopamine nerve terminals in the region of the brain that deteriorates in Parkinson's disease. After six months of treatment, final clinical examinations and SPECT scans were obtained and treatment was discontinued. Patients were followed for 28 days after treatment and then exited from the trial. There were 300 patients enrolled in the trial, 101 were assigned to the placebo group, 100 to the low dose group, and 99 to the high dose group. SPECT scans were obtained in 105 subjects equally divided among the treatment groups. The two primary clinical hypotheses tested in this trial were that 6 months of treatment with NIL-A would result in at least a 4 point improvement when compared with placebo in the UPDRS Motor Subscale measured before patients took their first daily dose of antiparkinsonian medication, and that NIL-A would be safe and well tolerated at doses up to 1000 mg four times a day for 6 months. The a priori efficacy hypothesis was established based on expert advice and prior experience with the development of other classes of antiparkinsonian drugs, although there was no prior clinical experience with NIL-A to generate the primary efficacy hypothesis. Secondary efficacy endpoints identified in the analytical plan for the trial were: 123I Beta CIT SPECT scans, total UPDRS score, bilateral finger tapping, dyskinesia rating scale, Hoehn & Yahr rating scale and a quality of life measure obtained from a questionnaire. The frequency and severity of reported adverse events were similar in all three treatment groups except that patients in the high dose NIL-A group experienced an increased incidence of transient nausea or indigestion. The mean change in UPDRS motor score was -1.05 in placebo treated patients and 0.25 and -0.35 in the low dose and high dose patients respectively. (p=0.2) An increase in score indicates worsening disease. The mean percent change in the density of dopamine nerve terminals as measured by SPECT was +3.4% in placebo patients, +6.3% in low dose patients and +9.4% in the high dose group after 12 weeks of treatment. (n=30, 10 per group, p=0.4) the corresponding changes at 24 weeks were -0.15%, -1.2% and +2.5%. (n=105, 35 per group, p=0.7). The Hoehn & Yahr score improved (i.e., went down) during the trial in 11% of placebo patients, 17% of low dose patients, and 21% of the high dose patients. The difference between the high dose group and the placebo group was significa! nt after adjustment for age, dur ation of Parkinson's disease symptoms, and Hoehn & Yahr score at baseline (p=0.028). The changes in the dyskinesia scores and finger tapping tests were not statistically significant. Subgroups of patients stratified by age, disease severity, duration of symptoms, and type of antiparkinson's treatment are currently being analyzed. These results suggest that NIL-A at doses up to 1000 mg taken orally four times a day for 6 months is well-tolerated but does not produce a substantial reversal of the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. About Parkinson's Disease Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive degenerative disorder that involves a specialized region of the brain that controls muscle tone and coordination. Most patients are affected in mid-life and usually develop hand tremors, muscle rigidity, and postural instability, among the many manifestations of the disease. The disease is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells that use dopamine as a chemical messenger. Treatment currently consists of administering drugs that increase the amount of dopamine in the affected regions of the brain or substitute for the lost dopamine. Unfortunately, there are no current treatments that can reverse, or even slow down, the progressive degeneration of the dopamine nerve cells in Parkinson's disease. About Neuroimmunophilin Ligands Neuroimmunophilin ligands are small molecules that in preclinical experiments have been shown to be orally-bioavailable, cross the blood-brain barrier, and repair and regenerate damaged nerves without affecting normal nerves. In 1997, Guilford entered into a collaboration with Amgen for the research, development and commercialization of a broad class of neuroimmunophilin ligands, for a range of indications, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injury, brain trauma, and other diseases and conditions. Amgen commenced the current Phase II trial for NIL-A for Parkinson's disease in the summer of 2000. Guilford Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of polymer-based therapeutics for cancer, and novel products for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, severe head trauma, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and peripheral neuropathies. Internet address: www.guilfordpharm.com This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated June 21, 2001, that could cause the Company's actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. Among other things, there can be no assurance that NIL-A will be shown in clinical trials to be a safe and effective drug for the treatment of Parkinson's disease or other conditions. SOURCE Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. CONTACT: Stacey Jurchison, +1-410-631-5022, or Angie Rubin, +1-410-631-6449, both of Guilford Pharmaceuticals/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 17:12:49 -0500 Reply-To: [log in to unmask] Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: samantha pudge <[log in to unmask]> Organization: QUALCOMM Eudora Web-Mail (http://www.eudoramail.com:80) Subject: Re: PD+ syndromes Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit camilla, this is new to me also and was looking forward to a list response. sami -- On Thu, 26 Jul 2001 10:47:29 Camilla Flintermann wrote: >Gene-- there is lots of material in the archives re: PD+ syndromes, and I >suggest that in addition to what I fwd to you from my files you check that >out also. Take care-- > > >>Carmilla- The original message that you sent to Norma contained the >>reference to PD+ syndromes. Since I am new to this guessing game, could >>you tell me what these syndromes are? Thanks for explaining what may be >>the obvious. Gene. > >Camilla Flintermann, former CG for Peter 83/70/55 > Oxford, Ohio > <[log in to unmask]> > > on the web at http://www.geocities.com/camillahf/index.html > and also at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm > > "Ask me about the CARE list for Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! " > And visit the CARE webring at http://www.pdcaregiver.org > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] >In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > Join 18 million Eudora users by signing up for a free Eudora Web-Mail account at http://www.eudoramail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 22:29:21 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Linda J Herman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Fw: ACTION ALERT from PAN MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit --------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Laura Eckart" <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 16:10:11 -0400 Subject: 145 members! ACTION ALERT! WE NEED YOUR HELP! ALERT:A letter is being circulated in the House of Representatives by Representative Diana DeGette, D-CO and Representative Jim Ramstad, R-MN to President Bush in support of embryonic stem cell research. ACTION: If your Member of Congress has not signed this letter, please call and urge them to do so. Ask your Representative to sign onto the DeGette/Ramstad stem cell letter to the President. This letter is scheduled to be sent to the White House on Friday, July 27th. So, time is of the essence! If you are unsure of your representative's phone number please call 202-225-3121 or visit www.house.gov. ATTACHMENT: Below is a copy of the letter that will be sent to President Bush as well as Members of Congress who have already signed onto the letter. If your Member of Congress has already signed the letter, call and thank them for their support. Please send this to your family and friends and ask for there assistance. Together, we can make a difference! ---------------------------------------------------------------- President George W. Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20500 We are writing to express our strong support for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. The surprising news reports last week on private embryonic stem cell research underscore the importance of continued federal oversight and involvement in this sensitive and important area. The reports last week that a Virginia laboratory has created human embryos to obtain stem cells for research purposes and a Massachusetts firm aims to create embryos using cloning techniques to derive stem cells for therapeutic purposes, make plain that this research, replete with moral, ethical, and scientific issues is occurring in the private sector even as the federal government debates the issues. The only way to ensure that embryonic stem cell research is conducted with strict ethical and legal guidelines is to provide federal funding and oversight. By taking this leading role, the federal government will participate in the vital debate that occurs concerning any new biotechnology, including the creation of human embryos for research purposes. We believe that these issues should not be left to the private sector to dictate alone. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines provide meaningful oversight protections by addressing such issues as informed consent, the source of cells and measures to ensure safety and the ethical use of embryonic stem cells. We understand that you are exploring various so-called compromises, including allowing federal funds for research only on existing cell lines. While we understand how that might appear to be an appealing alternative, scientists report have produced very few cell lines at this time. If this decision were made it would prove problematic because each cell line has a different potential for offering different therapies. Scientists have yet to discover and understand the full range of available cell lines, let alone their prospective medical benefits. Halting research before fully understanding these issues will thwart further development. Mr. President, you have read and heard from the scientists that research on embryonic stem cells could result in treatments or cures for millions of Americans suffering a variety of illnesses including diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and heart disease. We urge you to take our views into consideration when you make this incredibly important decision. You have the lives of millions of our-and your-constituents in your hands. Signed, Below is the most recent list of members who have signed the DeGette/Ramstad letter to President Bush. Keep Up the good work. The letter will be mailed to President Bush on Monday, July 30th. Alphabetical List of Members Who Have Signed Stem Cell Letter as of July 26th 1) Neil Abercrombie 2) Gary L. Ackerman 3) Thomas H. Allen 4) Robert E. Andrews 5) Joe Baca 6) John E. Baldacci 7) Tammy Baldwin 8) Tom Barrett 9) Charles Bass 10) Howard Berman 11) Shelly Berkley 12) Judy Biggert 13) Sanford Bishop 14) Sherwood Boehlert 15) Daniel E. Bonior 16) Mary Bono 17) Rick Boucher 18) Robert A. Brady 19) Corrine Brown 20) Sherrod Brown 21) Lois Capps 22) Brad R Carson 23) Julia Carson 24) Michael N. Castle 25) William Lacy Clay 26) James Clyburn 27) Elijah E. Cummings 28) Randy "Duke" Cunningham 29) Danny Davis 30) Jim Davis 31) Susan A. Davis 32) Tom Davis 33) Peter A. DeFazio 34) Rosa DeLauro 35) Peter Deutsch 36) Lloyd Doggett 37) Calvin Dooley 38) John Duncan 39) Jennifer Dunn 40) Philip English 41) Anna Eshoo 42) Lane Evans 43) Sam Farr 44) Bob Filner 45) Mark Foley 46) Rodney Frelinghuysen 47) Martin Frost 48) James Gibbons 49) Wayne Gilchrest 50) Benjamin A. Gilman 51) Kay Granger 52) Jim Greenwood 53) Luis Gutierrez 54) Jane Harman 55) Alcee L. Hastings 56) Maurice Hinchey 57) Rush Holt 58) Joseph Hoeffel 59) Mike Honda 60) Darlene Hooley 61) Steve Horn 62) Amory Houghton, Jr. 63) Jay Inslee 64) Johnny Isakson 65) Sheila Jackson Lee 66) Eddie Bernice Johnson 67) Nancy Johnson 68) Gerald D. Kelczka 69) Sue Kelly 70) Carolyn Kilpatrick 71) Ron Kind 72) Mark S. Kirk 73) Jim Koulbe 74) Jim Langevin 75) Tom Lantos 76) Rick Larsen 77) Jim Leach 78) Barbara Lee 79) Sander M. Levin 80) Jerry Lewis 81) John Lewis 82) Zoe Lofgren 83) Nita Lowey 84) William Luther 85) Carolyn B. Maloney 86) James H. Maloney 87) Edward Markey 88) Robert Matsui 89) Carolyn McCarthy 90) Karen McCarthy 91) Jim McDermott 92) Martin Meehan 93) Carrie P. Meek 94) Robert Menendez 95) Juanita Millender-McDonald 96) Dan Miller 97) George Miller 98) Dennis Moore 99) Jim Moran 100) Connie Morrella 101) Jerrold Nadler 102) Grace Napolitano 103) George R. Nethercutt 104) John W. Olver 105) Frank Pallone 106) William J. Pascrell 107) Nancy Pelosi 108) Earl Pomeroy 109) David Price 110) Deborah Pryce 111) Jim Ramstad 112) Charles Rangel 113) Lynn N. Rivers 114) Ciro D. Rodriguez 115) Mike Ross 116) Steven R. Rothman 117) Marge Roukema 118) Lucille Roybald-Allard 119) Bobby Rush 120) Martin Olav Sabo 121) Loretta Sanchez 122) Max A. Sandlin 123) Thomas C. Sawyer 124) Janice D. Schakowsky 125) Bobby Scott 126) E. Clay Shaw 127) Christopher Shays 128) Robert R. Simmons 129) Louise Slaughter 130) Ted Strickland 131) Hilda Solis 132) John Spratt 133) Pete Stark 134) Ted Strickland 135) Ellen O. Tauscher 136) William M. Thomas 137) John F. Tierney 138) Edolphus Towns 139) Stephanie Tubb Jones 140) Mark Udall 141) Nydia Velazquez 142) Diane Watson 143) Melvin Watt 144) Henry A. Waxman 145) David Wu ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 00:29:02 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Noma DePew <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Stem Cell Research Comments: To: [log in to unmask] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Both NIH and Conservative Senator Back Embryonic Studies By=A0 Sean=A0Martin =20 =20 WebMD Medical News =20 July 18, 2001 (Washington) -- As Congress continued hearings on stem cell=20 research, advocates of controversial studies using cells taken from human=20 embryos gained the support of both a National Institutes of Health report an= d=20 a prominent conservative Republican on Wednesday.=20 Later this month, President Bush is supposed to announce his decision on=20 federal funding for studies of embryonic stem cells. The Clinton=20 administration had given the research the green light, but Bush has suspende= d=20 that decision for a full review of the cutting-edge issue.=20 The NIH report released Wednesday emphasized the merit of embryonic and less= =20 contentious adult stem cell research. "Both of these cell types hold enormou= s=20 promise," the report stated. Using both cell types, scientists have been abl= e=20 to repair or replace damaged cells and tissues in animal studies, according=20 to the report.=20 Stem cells are "blank" cells that have the power to transform themselves int= o=20 virtually any type of cell in the body. Scientists are hoping to harness thi= s=20 ability to battle a host of serious human diseases.=20 "It is impossible to predict which stem cells ... will best meet the needs o= f=20 basic research and clinical applications," the NIH report said. "The answers= =20 clearly lie in conducting more research."=20 Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) testified at a Senate hearing that he=20 supported embryonic research under strict ethical guidelines. Frist, a heart= =20 surgeon and the Senate's only doctor, said, "research using the more=20 versatile embryonic stem cells has greater potential than research limited t= o=20 adult stem cells."=20 Frist joins a growing list of conservatives, including Sen. Orrin Hatch=20 (R-Utah) and Nancy Reagan, who back federal funding.=20 According to the NIH, there are already about 30 embryonic stem cell "lines,= "=20 which means that research stem cells have come from about 30 different human= =20 embryos.=20 Frist said that scientists should come together to decide on an upper limit=20 of cell lines that could receive federal funding. "You don't need unlimited=20 cell lines," he said. Frist also emphasized that taxpayer dollars should not= =20 be spent for the actual extraction of stem cells from embryos, the act that=20 results in their destruction.=20 The early-stage human embryos in question are frozen and "left over" from in= =20 vitro fertilization efforts. They would otherwise be discarded.=20 But the Catholic Church and many pro-life advocates are morally opposed to=20 any government involvement in embryonic stem cell research, contending that=20 the research requires destroying human life. Sen. Sam Brownback (R- Kan.)=20 said, "We simply do not need to do any research which relies on the=20 destruction of human beings."=20 By contrast, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) said that he believes that life=20 begins in the mother's womb. But Catholic leaders insist that it commences=20 upon the union of the male sperm and female egg.=20 A House hearing Tuesday featured testimony that opposed funding for the=20 embryonic research from a couple who had adopted frozen embryos that=20 ultimately were born as twins.=20 Brownback and others opposed to the embryonic research say that adult stem=20 cells are the only ethically acceptable scientific avenue.=20 But the NIH report noted that adult stem cells are rare and that there is no= =20 evidence that they can develop into any other type of cell like embryonic=20 stem cells can.=20 It's still uncertain how President Bush will decide on federal funding for=20 the embryonic research.=20 Bush, who plans to meet with the Pope in Rome later this month, said this=20 week that "the leaders of the Catholic Church ... stand strong on the=20 principle of life. They also stand strong on making sure that those who have= =20 no voice are heard."=20 Earlier this year, Bush wrote to a conservative group that he opposed federa= l=20 funding for "stem cell research that involves destroying living human=20 embryos."=20 Even if embryonic stem cell research flourishes under possible federal=20 funding, there's no guarantee of cures for cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's,= =20 or any other of a list of diseases.=20 The NIH report notes that finding a cure for type 1 diabetes may be difficul= t=20 because the body's own immune system attacks and destroys its cells. "This=20 ... must be overcome if researchers hope to use the transplanted cells to=20 replace the damaged ones," it says.=20 =A0=20 =20 =20 Medically Reviewed By=A0Dr. Dominiqu= e=A0Walton=20 =A9 2001 WebMD Corporation. All rights reserved.=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 05:14:27 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Kat Ward <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Drug interactions MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Dear List, My name is Kathryn Ward and my father has Parkinson's. He is 68 = years old and was diagnosed in 1996. He was coping as well as to be = expected given the added burden of macular degeneration and retinal = detachment in one eye. He became a candidate for DBS and in April 2001 = had one stimulator successfully implanted. During the past month he has = been experiencing fairly severe "spells" of dizziness, nausea, extreme = dry mouth, flushing of his upper body, confusion, lightheadness, muscle = pain and weakness, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight loss and = erratic blood pressure. These "events" had been occurring prior to the = neurosurgery but they were not as severe as they have become in the past = month. Every one in his medical community seems stumped by these = symptoms ( which appear to read like the side effects of Sinemet ) and = last month his neurologist told him that these symptoms were not = symptoms of Parkinson's. He has since been to the cardiologist and been tested ( Negative on = all counts-- the cardiologist told him that he thought it WAS = Parkinson's) and two weeks ago he was in the local ER for five hours = because his BP was so high that my mother was fearful of an aneurysm and = called 911. Again nothing was uncovered to account for these mysterious = "spells" which came and went all day long, some being more severe than = others but always knocking him down and keeping him from leaving the = house. He has even had an abdominal CT which also was clear of = abnormalities. I live 300 miles away from my parents and tried to get my mother to = really keep track of when the spells were happening and what he was = doing, had eaten, timing of meds etc. but she is so overwhelmed that I = wasn't able to get much help there. I have been to see my father twice = in the last two weeks and have observed what is going on. I began to = really question the combination of his meds. He is taking Sinemet, = Hytrin and Valium. All three have almost the same side effects-- = especially the Hytrin and Sinemet. My research is leading me to strongly = suspect a negative synergistic effect caused by the combination of these = three meds. The Hytrin was prescribed over a year ago by a urologist for = enlarged prostate and the Sinemet and Valium were prescribed by the = neurologist. My sister and I have both read that Valium can interfere = with the action of Sinemet. My father re-visited the neurologist two days ago ( and my sister = went along with my parents to ask questions ) and the only thing the = neurologist could offer at this point was that the symptoms are indeed = Parkinson's moving into Stage 4. When questioned specifically about the = possibility of a negative drug interaction he was noncomittant and = suggested that my father see the neurosurgeon and get a second = stimulator and told Dad to make his next appointment for a month from = now. When asked why the Valium was prescribed for my father the = neurologist said to help Dad "relax" and gave no indication that taking = Valium and Sinemet at the same time was a problem in his mind. (Needless = to say, we are not pleased with this treatment but right now our primary = concern is Dad's condition.) I am hoping that someone on the List can = shed some light on these mysterious symptoms...are they "just = Parkinson's getting worse" or are they indeed indicative of a drug = toxicity? I'm pretty sure from research and observation that the Sinemet = alone isn't causing these symptoms. Is there anyone taking Hytrin and = Sinemet or Valium and Sinemet or all three medications? Is anyone having = similar kinds of "spells" as simply a part of Parkinson's? Has anyone = else had a stimulator implanted and experienced these symptoms? ( I tend = not to suspect the stimulator because immediately after the implant the = tremors and arm/leg waving that Dad was experiencing stopped and he = looked and felt really well, but I have to look at all the issues). Any information or suggestions from the Parkinson's Community will be = appreciated greatly. Thank you Kathryn Ward ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 06:24:48 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Linda J Herman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Disability discrimination suit Comments: cc: [log in to unmask] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit To Sue Weiler and list members, I'm glad to read that you won the suit against your former employer. Good for you! Thanks also for sharing your experiences with the rest of us. You wrote: << know, with a few adaptations (I can't write legibly either), I could have continued with my original job. I also believe I could have done the jobs that I applied for. It is very unfair to be treated this way. I got mad and I got even. My hope is that my former employer will at least think twice before trying the lousy tactics, with another disabled employee, that they used to get me to quit.>> And now maybe others who are also being discriminated against will be encouraged to take legal action, and more employees will think twice. Maybe others who have lost jobs because will get ideas about other options for them, such as applying to the Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation as you did. I don't think many of us were aware that they could help like that. Thanks, Sue. I think, at it's best, sharing information like this, and bringing about positive change is what this discussion list is all about. Best wishes for success with your new business, Sue. Linda ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 06:51:26 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Linda J Herman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: ADA and applying for jobs MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit To Paul and other list members, Here's some information and good web sites on the ADA and pre-employment rights. It reflects what the law says, although what Paul and Sue and many others experience in real life, is of course not the same. A number of times in the past, the question of to tell or not to tell about PD at a job interview was discussed on the list. I had a number of interviews about 2-3 years ago, and chose not to tell. At the time, with medication and with optimal timing of when the interview took place, my symptoms were well hidden, and i didn't believe that at that stage, PD would interfere with my ability to do the job, and I did find a job, which I've been at for 2 years now, and told my co-workers about the PD about a year ago. My symptoms are more noticable now, but i still don't think they interfere with my job. And i think I have built up enough support that when i do have to request accomodations, they will be willing to do so. (I hope!) Of course, if you are requesting job accomodations under ADA, when applying for a job, you would have to tell about it from the start. And then there is the big question of whether an employer would choose a disabled applicant, especially one with a degenerative, non curable disease like PD, over a non-disabled, equally qualified candidate. The real world again. It would be helpful to hear about others' experiences looking for jobs with PD. Please post to list if you are able to write openly about it -- be aware though that your posting may be read by anyone on the Internet. Linda Here is what the ADA says: FROM: ADA questions and answers (Dept. of Justice - Office of Civil Rights) http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/qandaeng.htm Below are the sections related to job applicants: Q. What practices and activities are covered by the employment nondiscrimination requirements? A. The ADA prohibits discrimination in all employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. It applies to recruitment, advertising, tenure, layoff, leave, fringe benefits, and all other employment-related activities. Q. Who is a "qualified individual with a disability?" A. A qualified individual with a disability is a person who meets legitimate skill, experience, education, or other requirements of an employment position that s/he holds or seeks, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Requiring the ability to perform "essential" functions assures that an individual with a disability will not be considered unqualified simply because of inability to perform marginal or incidental job functions. If the individual is qualified to perform essential job functions except for limitations caused by a disability, the employer must consider whether the individual could perform these functions with a reasonable accommodation. If a written job description has been prepared in advance of advertising or interviewing applicants for a job, this will be considered as evidence, although not conclusive evidence, of the essential functions of the job. Q. Does an employer have to give preference to a qualified applicant with a disability over other applicants? A. No. An employer is free to select the most qualified applicant available and to make decisions based on reasons unrelated to a disability. For example, suppose two persons apply for a job as a typist and an essential function of the job is to type 75 words per minute accurately. One applicant, an individual with a disability, who is provided with a reasonable accommodation for a typing test, types 50 words per minute; the other applicant who has no disability accurately types 75 words per minute. The employer can hire the applicant with the higher typing speed, if typing speed is needed for successful performance of the job. Q. What limitations does the ADA impose on medical examinations and inquiries about disability? A. An employer may not ask or require a job applicant to take a medical examination before making a job offer. It cannot make any pre-employment inquiry about a disability or the nature or severity of a disability. An employer may, however, ask questions about the ability to perform specific job functions and may, with certain limitations, ask an individual with a disability to describe or demonstrate how s/he would perform these functions. An employer may condition a job offer on the satisfactory result of a post-offer medical examination or medical inquiry if this is required of all entering employees in the same job category. A post-offer examination or inquiry does not have to be job-related and consistent with business necessity. However, if an individual is not hired because a post-offer medical examination or inquiry reveals a disability, the reason(s) for not hiring must be job-related and consistent with business necessity. The employer also must show that no reasonable accommodation was available that would enable the individual to perform the essential job functions, or that accommodation would impose an undue hardship. A post-offer medical examination may disqualify an individual if the employer can demonstrate that the individual would pose a "direct threat" in the workplace (i.e., a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the individual or others) that cannot be eliminated or reduced below the oedirect threatî level through reasonable accommodation. Such a disqualification is job-related and consistent with business necessity. A post-offer medical examination may not disqualify an individual with a disability who is currently able to perform essential job functions because of speculation that the disability may cause a risk of future injury. After a person starts work, a medical examination or inquiry of an employee must be job-related and consistent with business necessity. Employers may conduct employee medical examinations where there is evidence of a job performance or safety problem, examinations required by other Federal laws, examinations to determine current oefitnessî to perform a particular job, and voluntary examinations that are part of employee health programs. Information from all medical examinations and inquiries must be kept apart from general personnel files as a separate, confidential medical record, available only under limited conditions. Q. When can an employer ask an applicant to "self-identify" as having a disability? A. Federal contractors and subcontractors who are covered by the affirmative action requirements of section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may invite individuals with disabilities to identify themselves on a job application form or by other pre-employment inquiry, to satisfy the section 503 affirmative action requirements. Employers who request such information must observe section 503 requirements regarding the manner in which such information is requested and used, and the procedures for maintaining such information as a separate, confidential record, apart from regular personnel records. Another good source for ADA information http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu:80/links/adalinks.htm preemployment screening http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/kinder/pages/pre_employment_screening.html reasonable accomodation http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/kinder/pages/reasonable_accommodation.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 07:00:22 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Linda J Herman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Job Accomodations for PWP MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit This is a great website for information on job accommodations and they have a section specificallly on Parkinson's . FROM the Job Accommodation Network, U.S. DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy Headquartered at: West Virginia University ,PO Box 6080, Morgantown, WV 26506-6080 800-526-7234 in the US (Voice or TTY) Internet: http://www.jan.wvu.edu SEE: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/PD.html Accommodating People With Parkinson's Disease This site presents possible job accommodations for PWP, not actual cases. It is written from the perspective of the employer. What do you all think about it? Has anyone actually been allowed such accommodations at their job? PREFACE ACCOMMODATING PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE According to the National Parkinson's Foundation it is estimated that there are up to 1.5 million Americans affected by Parkinson's Disease (PD), more persons than those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy combined. Although 15% of PD patients are diagnosed before age 50, PD is generally considered a disease that targets older adults. Parkinson's disease affects one of every 100 persons over the age of 60. Today, many people with PD are living and working with PD. As a result, employers are seeing an increase in individuals with PD among their employees. This, coupled with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), shows why knowing about workplace accommodations for people with PD is important. When considering accommodations for people with PD, the accommodation process must be conducted on a case-by-case basis. Symptoms caused by PD vary so when determining effective accommodations the person’s individual abilities and limitations should be considered and problematic job tasks must be identified. Therefore, the person with PD should be involved in the accommodation process. Not all people with PD will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may need only a few accommodations. For those who need accommodation, the following pages provide basic information about common limitations, symptoms, useful questions to consider, and accommodation possibilities. The following is only a sample of possibilities to consider; numerous other solutions and considerations may exist. Also included in this publication is a list of resources for additional information. This publication was written by Linda C. Batiste, MS, and Beth A. Loy, MS, Human Factors Consultants with the Job Accommodation Network. If further information is needed, please call JAN at 1-800-526-7234. 1/01 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN DETERMINING ACCOMMODATIONS What symptoms or limitations is the individual with PD experiencing? How do these symptoms or limitations affect the person and the person’s job performance? What specific job tasks are problematic as a result of these symptoms and limitations? What accommodations are available to reduce or eliminate these problems? Are all possible resources being used to determine possible accommodations? Has the employee with PD been consulted regarding possible accommodations? Once accommodations are in place, would it be useful to meet with the person with PD to evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodations and to determine whether additional accommodations are needed? Do supervisory personnel and employees need training regarding PD, other disability areas, or the Americans with Disabilities Act? ACCOMMODATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE (Note: People with PD will develop some of these limitations/symptoms, but seldom develop all of them. Limitations will vary among individuals. Also note that not all people who have PD will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may need only a few accommodations. The following is only a sample of the possibilities available. Numerous other accommodation solutions exist as well.) Fine Motor: Implement ergonomic workstation design Provide arm supports Provide alternative computer access and keyguard Provide alternative telephone access Provide writing and grip aids Provide a page turner and a book holder Provide a note taker Gross Motor: Reduce walking or provide a scooter or other mobility aid Provide parking close to the work-site Provide an accessible entrance Install automatic door openers Provide an accessible route of travel to other work areas used by the employee Move workstation close to other work areas, office equipment, and break rooms Fatigue/Weakness: Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time Allow work from home Make sure materials and equipment are within reach range Speech: Provide speech amplification, speech enhancement, or other communication device Use written communication, such as email or fax Transfer to a position that does not require a lot of communication Allow periodic rest breaks Medical Treatment Allowances: Provide flexible schedules Provide flexible leave Allow a self-paced workload with flexible hours Allow employee to work from home Provide part-time work schedules Depression and Anxiety: Reduce distractions in work environment Provide to-do lists and written instructions Remind employee of important deadlines and meetings Allow time off for counseling Provide clear expectations of responsibilities and consequences Provide sensitivity training to co-workers Allow breaks to use stress management techniques Develop strategies to deal with work problems before they arise Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others for support Provide information on counseling and employee assistance programs Cognitive Impairment: Provide written job instructions when possible Prioritize job assignments Allow flexible work hours Allow periodic rest breaks to reorient Provide memory aids, such as schedulers or organizers Minimize distractions Allow a self-paced workload Reduce job stress Provide more structure Activities of Daily Living: Allow use of a personal attendant at work Allow use of a service animal at work Make sure the facility is accessible Move workstation closer to the restroom Allow longer breaks Refer to appropriate community services PRODUCTS There may be products available to accommodate an employee with PD. For information on specific products and vendors contact JAN. EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE A secretary with PD and hand tremors was having difficulty using a keyboard, writing, manipulating manuals, and filing. She was accommodated with a keyguard, typing aid, page turner, and open files. A supervisor with PD was having difficulty managing fatigue. The employer provided a private rest area with a cot so the individual could take breaks throughout the day. A file clerk was having difficulty meeting the physical demands of the job, including walking between work areas, standing at filing cabinets, and carrying files. The individual was accommodated with a power scooter with a basket and a stand/lean stool. A technician with PD was having difficulty concentrating. The employee's supervisor provided written job instructions when possible and allowed the individual to have periodic rest breaks. In addition, she was moved to a corner cubical where distractions were minimized with strategically placed baffles. A customer service representative with PD was having difficulty manipulating his mouse, writing, standing to greet people, and communicating effectively. He was accommodated with a trackball, writing aid, stool with lift cushion, and speech amplification. A technical consultant was having difficulty using the computer in the afternoons due to fatigue. He was accommodated with speech recognition and an ergonomic workstation. An office assistant with tremors and fatigue was having difficulty typing the number of words per minute required by her employer. The individual rearranged her workstation to reduce distractions and her employer offered flexible scheduling. Her word processing software was programmed with macros to reduce keystrokes and she was given speech recognition software. A consultant with PD was having difficulty getting to work on time. He was accommodated with flexible scheduling so he could use public transportation. A teacher with PD was having difficulty standing in front of the classroom to write on the board. The individual was accommodated with a scooter and a laptop and PC projector. She was then able to remain seated while using the computer and projector to display information to the class. An engineer was having difficulty concentrating and communicating. The individual was accommodated with a quiet office free from distractions. In addition, her supervisor implemented a policy of scheduled interruptions with written reminders and assignments. The individual was also provided with a communication device. RESOURCES (This is a non-inclusive list) Job Accommodation Network (JAN) A Service of the U.S. DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy West Virginia University P.O. Box 6080 Morgantown, WV 26506-6080 800-526-7234 (Voice & TTY) 800-ADA-WORK (Voice & TTY) http://www.jan.wvu.edu Office of Disability Employment Policy 1331 F Street, NW Washington DC 20004-1107 202-376-6200/202-376-6205 (TTY) http://www.dol.gov/dol/odep/ American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. 1250 Hylan Boulevard, Suite 4B Staten Island, NY 10305 800-223-2732/718-981-8001 http://www.apdaparkinson.com The American Parkinson Disease Association provides information on local resources, publications, videos, and referrals. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 3033 404-639-3534 http://www.cdc.gov The CDC promotes health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research PO Box 2010 Grand Rapids, MN 55745-2010 800-850-4726/212-604-9182 http://www.michaeljfox.org The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research was born out of Michael's determination to raise the significant new monies required to fund the Parkinson's cure and the Parkinson's Action Network's (PAN) track record of accomplishment in raising national awareness of Parkinson's disease. National Parkinson's Foundation (NPF) Bob Hope Parkinson Research Center 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue Bob Hope Road Miami, Florida 33136-1494 800-327-4545/305-547-6666 http://www.parkinson.org The mission of NPF is to: find the cause and cure for Parkinson's Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders through research; educate general medical practitioners to detect the early warning signs of Parkinson's disease; educate patients, their caregivers, and the general public; provide diagnostic and therapeutic services; and improve the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Inc. (PDF) 710 West 168th Street New York, NY 10032-9982 800-457-6676/212-923-4700 http://www.pdf.org The Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Inc. is a national, non-profit organization, chartered in the state of New York with offices in New York City and Chicago. The PDF is dedicated to supporting and promoting the highest-quality research worldwide into the cause(s) and cure of Parkinson's disease, and for better symptomatic treatments. Parkinson's Foundation of Canada 4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M2P 2A9 800-565-3000/416-227-9700 http://www.parkinson.ca The Parkinson Foundation of Canada is a not for profit, national charitable organization. The Foundation raises money through endowment funds, corporate sponsorships, and public donations. Finding the cause and cure for Parkinson's disease remains its chief mission. The Parkinson's Institute 1170 Morse Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1605 800-786-2958/408-734-2800 http://www.parkinsonsinstitute.org The Institute is an independent, not-for-profit organization conducting patient care and research activities in the neurological specialty area of movement disorders. The mission is to find the cause and cure for these disorders, to provide the best available medical care to patients with movement disorders, to investigate better treatment and diagnostic tools, and to develop prevention strategies. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 08:02:36 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD" <[log in to unmask]> Organization: Five Star Living, Inc. Subject: Re: Drug interactions MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear Kat, I think your concerns re medications are valid and should be addressed. One question: is your father's neurologist a Parkinson specialist? or at least a movement disorders specialist? Neurologists who are "generalists" don't see as many patients with PD, and have less experience with the symptoms and the PD medications and their interactions with other meds. If he is not seeing a PD specialist, then locating one would be the single best thing that you could do for him. Another thing to rule out is nutrient deficiencies, such as B vitamins. As your father has lost weight there is a distinct possibility that he has suffered nutrient depletion, and sometimes this can be masked by PD symptoms or medication side effects. Another thing you might try is to e-mail your question to a neurologist who is a PD specialist. You might want to ask for a recommendation for a PD specialist in your area. 1) Dr. Abraham Lieberman, a leading specialist in Parkinson's disease, answers e-mails at no charge on the National Parkinson Foundation website at: http://www.parkinson.org/ Scroll down the page to: Ask Dr. Lieberman, NPF Medical Director Click on this, and follow the directions. You can then e-mail your concerns to Dr. Lieberman. He usually answers within 48 hours. 2) University of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve U., and Ohio State U. Click on the Ask an Expert section, then click on Parkinsons in the list of diseases. Dr. Arif Dalvi, a specialist in PD, usually answers within two days. http://www.netwellness.org/ 3)Parkinson's Disease Foundation's website -- Ask the Expert http://www.pdf.org May take 2-3 days My very best regards to you and your father, Kathrynne Holden Kat Ward wrote: > > Dear List, > My name is Kathryn Ward and my father has Parkinson's. He is 68 years old and was diagnosed in 1996. He was coping as well as to be expected given the added burden of macular degeneration and retinal detachment in one eye. He became a candidate for DBS and in April 2001 had one stimulator successfully implanted. During the past month he has been experiencing fairly severe "spells" of dizziness, nausea, extreme dry mouth, flushing of his upper body, confusion, lightheadness, muscle pain and weakness, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight loss and erratic blood pressure. These "events" had been occurring prior to the neurosurgery but they were not as severe as they have become in the past month. Every one in his medical community seems stumped by these symptoms ( which appear to read like the side effects of Sinemet ) and last month his neurologist told him that these symptoms were not symptoms of Parkinson's. > He has since been to the cardiologist and been tested ( Negative on all counts-- the cardiologist told him that he thought it WAS Parkinson's) and two weeks ago he was in the local ER for five hours because his BP was so high that my mother was fearful of an aneurysm and called 911. Again nothing was uncovered to account for these mysterious "spells" which came and went all day long, some being more severe than others but always knocking him down and keeping him from leaving the house. He has even had an abdominal CT which also was clear of abnormalities. -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" "Constipation and Parkinson's" -- audiocassette & guidebook "Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's disease" & Risk Assessment Tools "Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson's disease," J Nutr Elderly. V18:3;1999. http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 06:58:45 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: David Moreland <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Job Accomodations for PWP In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 07:00 AM 7/27/2001 -0400, you wrote: When I was still working for the Oregon Department of Revenue. One idf the accomodations that was very helful to me was the installation of Dragon, Naturely Speaking Professional Vession 5. It took some wouk for the program to learn my speach patterns. But it really worked well David Moreland >This is a great website for information on job accommodations and they >have a section specificallly on Parkinson's . FROM the >Job Accommodation Network, >U.S. DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy >Headquartered at: West Virginia University ,PO Box 6080, > Morgantown, WV 26506-6080 >800-526-7234 in the US (Voice or TTY) >Internet: http://www.jan.wvu.edu > >SEE: >http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/PD.html >Accommodating People With Parkinson's Disease > >This site presents possible job accommodations for PWP, not actual cases. > It is written from the perspective of the employer. What do you all >think about it? >Has anyone actually been allowed such accommodations at their job? > > PREFACE > > ACCOMMODATING PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE > > According to the National Parkinson's Foundation it is estimated >that there > are up to 1.5 million Americans affected by Parkinson's Disease >(PD), > more persons than those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and >Muscular > Dystrophy combined. Although 15% of PD patients are diagnosed before > age 50, PD is generally considered a disease that targets older >adults. > Parkinson's disease affects one of every 100 persons over the age of >60. > > Today, many people with PD are living and working with PD. As a >result, > employers are seeing an increase in individuals with PD among their > employees. This, coupled with the requirements of the Americans with > Disabilities Act (ADA), shows why knowing about workplace > accommodations for people with PD is important. > > When considering accommodations for people with PD, the > accommodation process must be conducted on a case-by-case basis. > Symptoms caused by PD vary so when determining effective > accommodations the person’s individual abilities and limitations >should be > considered and problematic job tasks must be identified. Therefore, >the > person with PD should be involved in the accommodation process. > > Not all people with PD will need accommodations to perform their >jobs > and many others may need only a few accommodations. For those who > need accommodation, the following pages provide basic information > about common limitations, symptoms, useful questions to consider, >and > accommodation possibilities. The following is only a sample of > possibilities to consider; numerous other solutions and >considerations > may exist. > > Also included in this publication is a list of resources for >additional > information. > > This publication was written by Linda C. Batiste, MS, and Beth A. >Loy, MS, > Human Factors Consultants with the Job Accommodation Network. If > further information is needed, please call JAN at 1-800-526-7234. > > 1/01 > > QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN DETERMINING > ACCOMMODATIONS > > What symptoms or limitations is the individual with PD experiencing? > > > How do these symptoms or limitations affect the person and the >person’s > job performance? > > What specific job tasks are problematic as a result of these >symptoms > and limitations? > > What accommodations are available to reduce or eliminate these > problems? Are all possible resources being used to determine >possible > accommodations? > > Has the employee with PD been consulted regarding possible > accommodations? > > Once accommodations are in place, would it be useful to meet with >the > person with PD to evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodations >and > to determine whether additional accommodations are needed? > > Do supervisory personnel and employees need training regarding >PD, > other disability areas, or the Americans with Disabilities Act? > > ACCOMMODATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH > PARKINSON'S DISEASE > > (Note: People with PD will develop some of these >limitations/symptoms, > but seldom develop all of them. Limitations will vary among >individuals. > Also note that not all people who have PD will need accommodations >to > perform their jobs and many others may need only a few >accommodations. > The following is only a sample of the possibilities available. >Numerous > other accommodation solutions exist as well.) > > Fine Motor: > > Implement ergonomic workstation design > Provide arm supports > Provide alternative computer access and keyguard > Provide alternative telephone access > Provide writing and grip aids > Provide a page turner and a book holder > Provide a note taker > > Gross Motor: > > Reduce walking or provide a scooter or other mobility aid > Provide parking close to the work-site > Provide an accessible entrance > Install automatic door openers > Provide an accessible route of travel to other work areas used >by the > employee > Move workstation close to other work areas, office equipment, >and break > rooms > > Fatigue/Weakness: > > Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress > Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation > Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time > Allow work from home > Make sure materials and equipment are within reach range > > Speech: > > Provide speech amplification, speech enhancement, or other > communication device > Use written communication, such as email or fax > Transfer to a position that does not require a lot of >communication > Allow periodic rest breaks > > Medical Treatment Allowances: > > Provide flexible schedules > Provide flexible leave > Allow a self-paced workload with flexible hours > Allow employee to work from home > Provide part-time work schedules > > Depression and Anxiety: > > Reduce distractions in work environment > Provide to-do lists and written instructions > Remind employee of important deadlines and meetings > Allow time off for counseling > Provide clear expectations of responsibilities and consequences > > Provide sensitivity training to co-workers > Allow breaks to use stress management techniques > Develop strategies to deal with work problems before they arise > > Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others >for support > Provide information on counseling and employee assistance >programs > > Cognitive Impairment: > > Provide written job instructions when possible > Prioritize job assignments > Allow flexible work hours > Allow periodic rest breaks to reorient > Provide memory aids, such as schedulers or organizers > Minimize distractions > Allow a self-paced workload > Reduce job stress > Provide more structure > > Activities of Daily Living: > > Allow use of a personal attendant at work > Allow use of a service animal at work > Make sure the facility is accessible > Move workstation closer to the restroom > Allow longer breaks > Refer to appropriate community services > > > PRODUCTS > > There may be products available to accommodate an employee with PD. >For > information on specific products and vendors contact JAN. > > EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S > DISEASE > > A secretary with PD and hand tremors was having difficulty using a >keyboard, > writing, manipulating manuals, and filing. She was accommodated with >a > keyguard, typing aid, page turner, and open files. > > A supervisor with PD was having difficulty managing fatigue. The >employer > provided a private rest area with a cot so the individual could take >breaks > throughout the day. > > A file clerk was having difficulty meeting the physical demands of >the job, > including walking between work areas, standing at filing cabinets, >and carrying > files. The individual was accommodated with a power scooter with a >basket and > a stand/lean stool. > > A technician with PD was having difficulty concentrating. The >employee's > supervisor provided written job instructions when possible and >allowed the > individual to have periodic rest breaks. In addition, she was moved >to a corner > cubical where distractions were minimized with strategically placed >baffles. > > A customer service representative with PD was having difficulty >manipulating his mouse, writing, standing to greet people, and >communicating effectively. He was accommodated with a trackball, writing >aid, stool with lift cushion, and speech amplification. > > A technical consultant was having difficulty using the computer in >the afternoons due to fatigue. He was accommodated with speech >recognition and an > ergonomic workstation. > > An office assistant with tremors and fatigue was having difficulty >typing the > number of words per minute required by her employer. The individual > rearranged her workstation to reduce distractions and her employer >offered > flexible scheduling. Her word processing software was programmed >with > macros to reduce keystrokes and she was given speech recognition >software. > > A consultant with PD was having difficulty getting to work on time. >He was > accommodated with flexible scheduling so he could use public >transportation. > > A teacher with PD was having difficulty standing in front of the >classroom to write on the board. The individual was accommodated with a >scooter and a laptop > and PC projector. She was then able to remain seated while using the >computer and projector to display information to the class. > > An engineer was having difficulty concentrating and communicating. >The > individual was accommodated with a quiet office free from >distractions. In > addition, her supervisor implemented a policy of scheduled >interruptions with > written reminders and assignments. The individual was also provided >with a > communication device. > > RESOURCES > (This is a non-inclusive list) > > Job Accommodation Network (JAN) > A Service of the U.S. DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy > West Virginia University > P.O. Box 6080 > Morgantown, WV 26506-6080 > 800-526-7234 (Voice & TTY) > 800-ADA-WORK (Voice & TTY) > http://www.jan.wvu.edu > > Office of Disability Employment Policy > 1331 F Street, NW > Washington DC 20004-1107 > 202-376-6200/202-376-6205 (TTY) > http://www.dol.gov/dol/odep/ > > American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. > 1250 Hylan Boulevard, Suite 4B > Staten Island, NY 10305 > 800-223-2732/718-981-8001 > http://www.apdaparkinson.com > > The American Parkinson Disease Association provides information on >local > resources, publications, videos, and referrals. > > Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) > 1600 Clifton Rd. > Atlanta, GA 3033 > 404-639-3534 > http://www.cdc.gov > > The CDC promotes health and quality of life by preventing and >controlling > disease, injury, and disability. > > Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research > PO Box 2010 > Grand Rapids, MN 55745-2010 > 800-850-4726/212-604-9182 > http://www.michaeljfox.org > > The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research was born out >of > Michael's determination to raise the significant new monies required >to fund the > Parkinson's cure and the Parkinson's Action Network's (PAN) track >record of > accomplishment in raising national awareness of Parkinson's disease. > > > National Parkinson's Foundation (NPF) > Bob Hope Parkinson Research Center > 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue Bob Hope Road > Miami, Florida 33136-1494 > 800-327-4545/305-547-6666 > http://www.parkinson.org > > The mission of NPF is to: find the cause and cure for Parkinson's >Disease and > related neurodegenerative disorders through research; educate >general medical > practitioners to detect the early warning signs of Parkinson's >disease; educate > patients, their caregivers, and the general public; provide >diagnostic and > therapeutic services; and improve the quality of life for both >patients and their > caregivers. > > Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Inc. (PDF) > 710 West 168th Street > New York, NY 10032-9982 > 800-457-6676/212-923-4700 > http://www.pdf.org > > The Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Inc. is a national, non-profit >organization, > chartered in the state of New York with offices in New York City and >Chicago. > The PDF is dedicated to supporting and promoting the highest-quality >research > worldwide into the cause(s) and cure of Parkinson's disease, and for >better > symptomatic treatments. > > Parkinson's Foundation of Canada > 4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316 > Toronto, Ontario, Canada M2P 2A9 > 800-565-3000/416-227-9700 > http://www.parkinson.ca > > The Parkinson Foundation of Canada is a not for profit, national >charitable > organization. The Foundation raises money through endowment funds, > corporate sponsorships, and public donations. Finding the cause and >cure for > Parkinson's disease remains its chief mission. > > The Parkinson's Institute > 1170 Morse Avenue > Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1605 > 800-786-2958/408-734-2800 > http://www.parkinsonsinstitute.org > > The Institute is an independent, not-for-profit organization >conducting patient > care and research activities in the neurological specialty area of >movement > disorders. The mission is to find the cause and cure for these >disorders, to > provide the best available medical care to patients with movement >disorders, to > investigate better treatment and diagnostic tools, and to develop >prevention > strategies. > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] >In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > Yours and His David L Moreland ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 10:50:21 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Supplements MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear Norma-You reference Rob's supplement program. I missed it when it was posted, but would be interested in learning about it. I would appreciate it if you would post it or send it to me individually if you prefer. Has anyone else had successful experiences with supplements they can share? Thanks. Barbara ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 08:43:07 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Paul Ayers <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Disability/Employment MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Thanks Linda and David for your msg's. I really don't know where to start. I am already out of work, so can't talk with my company. I think I'll talk with the State of Indiana disability office first. I'm trying to find a lawyer who is skilled in this area but no luck yet. As far as job hunt, I don't know whether to tell up front or not. In my years as a manager, I probally would think it strange if an applicant could'nt fill out an application while appling. My Dr. lightly hinted at retraining, I thought that was kind of interesting. I'v been in the Telecommunication industry for 30 years, what would I cross train to that did not require similar skills? Anyway I ramble, Thanks again for your help, I'm going to check out the reccommended sites. THanks, Paul --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 07:56:17 -0700 Reply-To: "Mario A. Gonzalez" <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Mario A. Gonzalez" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Drug interactions MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Kathryn, What dosage of Sinemet - CR and or Regular - does he take and how often? Does he take all medications at the same time? Sinemet can cause severe nausea, I know from experience. Let us know, Mario ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kat Ward" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 2:14 AM Subject: Drug interactions Dear List, My name is Kathryn Ward and my father has Parkinson's. He is 68 years old and was diagnosed in 1996. He was coping as well as to be expected given the added burden of macular degeneration and retinal detachment in one eye. He became a candidate for DBS and in April 2001 had one stimulator successfully implanted. During the past month he has been experiencing fairly severe "spells" of dizziness, nausea, extreme dry mouth, flushing of his upper body, confusion, lightheadness, muscle pain and weakness, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight loss and erratic blood pressure. These "events" had been occurring prior to the neurosurgery but they were not as severe as they have become in the past month. Every one in his medical community seems stumped by these symptoms ( which appear to read like the side effects of Sinemet ) and last month his neurologist told him that these symptoms were not symptoms of Parkinson's. He has since been to the cardiologist and been tested ( Negative on all counts-- the cardiologist told him that he thought it WAS Parkinson's) and two weeks ago he was in the local ER for five hours because his BP was so high that my mother was fearful of an aneurysm and called 911. Again nothing was uncovered to account for these mysterious "spells" which came and went all day long, some being more severe than others but always knocking him down and keeping him from leaving the house. He has even had an abdominal CT which also was clear of abnormalities. I live 300 miles away from my parents and tried to get my mother to really keep track of when the spells were happening and what he was doing, had eaten, timing of meds etc. but she is so overwhelmed that I wasn't able to get much help there. I have been to see my father twice in the last two weeks and have observed what is going on. I began to really question the combination of his meds. He is taking Sinemet, Hytrin and Valium. All three have almost the same side effects-- especially the Hytrin and Sinemet. My research is leading me to strongly suspect a negative synergistic effect caused by the combination of these three meds. The Hytrin was prescribed over a year ago by a urologist for enlarged prostate and the Sinemet and Valium were prescribed by the neurologist. My sister and I have both read that Valium can interfere with the action of Sinemet. My father re-visited the neurologist two days ago ( and my sister went along with my parents to ask questions ) and the only thing the neurologist could offer at this point was that the symptoms are indeed Parkinson's moving into Stage 4. When questioned specifically about the possibility of a negative drug interaction he was noncomittant and suggested that my father see the neurosurgeon and get a second stimulator and told Dad to make his next appointment for a month from now. When asked why the Valium was prescribed for my father the neurologist said to help Dad "relax" and gave no indication that taking Valium and Sinemet at the same time was a problem in his mind. (Needless to say, we are not pleased with this treatment but right now our primary concern is Dad's condition.) I am hoping that someone on the List can shed some light on these mysterious symptoms...are they "just Parkinson's getting worse" or are they indeed indicative of a drug toxicity? I'm pretty sure from research and observation that the Sinemet alone isn't causing these symptoms. Is there anyone taking Hytrin and Sinemet or Valium and Sinemet or all three medications? Is anyone having similar kinds of "spells" as simply a part of Parkinson's? Has anyone else had a stimulator implanted and experienced these symptoms? ( I tend not to suspect the stimulator because immediately after the implant the tremors and arm/leg waving that Dad was experiencing stopped and he looked and felt really well, but I have to look at all the issues). Any information or suggestions from the Parkinson's Community will be appreciated greatly. Thank you Kathryn Ward ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 12:58:35 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Ivan M Suzman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Disability/Employment MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Paul, Each U. S. state has, I am told, a federally-funded DIsability Rights office that can guide you. There are lawyers with experience there. Good luck Ivan ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 13:20:34 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: [log in to unmask] Subject: The Wisconsin legislature and stem cell research MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello, A few days ago the Wisconsin legislature finally passed its budget, and sent the budget to the governor. The media. particularly the television news reports, and even in very catholic Green Bay, have designated the legislature as being in support of stem cell research, have described the budget as a victory for stem cell research , and have touted the University of Wisconsin-Madison as being the pioneer, the leader, in stem cell research. Very interesting. The main Green Bay newspaper, and the television stations, only discovered stem cells and stem cell research about two weeks ago, and the media here do not routinely cover state legislative matters. (I find out what is going on with the state by going online with the Milwaukee paper). A few weeks ago a female legislator from Green Bay received considerable state and local coverage, and I think national coverage as well, for her strong, vocal support of a proposal in the state budget to ban stem cell research. This legislator was interviewed as part of the Green Bay paper's coverage of the passage of the budget, and she was represented, at the end of a long, pro-stem -cell-research article, as being in support of the budget as passed and as stating that her pet projects were included in the budget. I don't know what she said to the reporter, but nothing was mentioned in that portion of the article about about her and stem cells, stem cell research, or her support of the ban against stem cell research. I think I remember an editorial in the Green Bay paper which was in favor of stem cell research, but I am not certain because I have been reading so many articles about stem cells. I do remember a cartoon, on the editorial page, done by the paper's own editorial artist; that cartoon was in favor stem cell research and directly confronted the position of anti-abortionists against stem cell research. There was an anti-abortion demonstration in Green Bay after the passage of the budget, but the paper buried its coverage of the demonstration in the back of the first section of the newspaper, and the paper never made any connection to stem cells or the passage of the budget. The Pope, who is very popular in Green Bay, received front page coverage for his meeting with President Bush, but the Pope's subsequent statement to Bush was buried also. What occurred in the Wisconsin state legislature was that a budget proposal to ban stem cell research was not passed, was deleted from the state budget. My understanding is that there is nothing in the budget now as passed by the legislature about stem cells or stem cell research. That meant that the new governor, who appears to favor the ban against stem cell research, cannot exercise his line item veto power to quash stem cell research or to support the anti-stem cell research lobby. When looking at legislative history to interpret the meaning of a law, the courts look at, among other things, whether or not a specific provision of the law was not passed, was defeated on the legislative floor. I don't think it is general practice for the media to promote a defeated provision of a law as a sign of favorable legislative support for an idea or a program. This is very conservative, catholic Green Bay, Wisconsin. Politics is always politics. But the media, it surprises me sometimes. Obviously it is favorable to supporters of stem cell research to have the media in Green Bay, and I think elsewhere in the state of Wisconsin, to put stem cell research in a favorable light--and don't forget those innovative researchers, a source of state pride, toiling away at the University of Wisconsin, who have also been put in a favorable light as well. There have been postings before, on this list, about editorial slants in the writing, editing, and presentation of newspaper articles on stem cells and stem cell research. We all know it goes on in the media, all forms of the media. The media have a lot of power, and I don't mind my fellow Green Bayites, Packer backers, whatever we are called, to hear in the evening news or to read in the morning papers that the state legislature favors stem cell research and that the state is on the cutting edge of stem cell research. Maybe, some progress, at last. What a relief! I thought that our state legislature just might, as part of the budget, pass the ban against stem cell research. I think I see here in Green Bay, and elsewhere across the country, a turning of the tide where more and more people are supporting stem cell research as a potential treatment, as a potential cure against various diseases, including Parkinson's Disease. I hope that my observation is valid. And thanks to Murray, Linda H., Ray on the Prairie Abyss, and whoever else, for putting stem cell material on the list. Katie ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 13:46:54 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Disability/Employment MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Paul, To find an attorney in this area of law, check with the Indiana State Bar Association or look in the yellow pages of your phone book under lawyer referral services. Most state bars have referral services where an attorney can claim an expertise in an area of law and be put on a list for referral in that area of law. You probably can't find this type of expertise in a small town or in a rural area; you are going to have to look in a larger, metropolitan area. You can ask a local attorney for referral to an expert. You can ask local and state Parkinson's support groups and organizations/foundations for a referral. You can ask people you know for a referral. Fees are always a problem with these specialized attorneys, but ask for an initial consultation/meeting to be free. If that attorney does not want your case, or the attorney is too expensive, ask for a referral to someone else. Finding an attorney to help you in your case is not a formal process: ask enough people and you should bump into an attorney to help you. Katie. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 15:29:52 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Edie Luther." <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Don Berns' 7 1/2 Year Pallidotomy Report MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Congratulations, George. I never had any doubts about you.. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 20:19:23 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Norma Dikeman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Supplements MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I think Schaaf Angus / Meadow Creek Ranch can tell you a whole lot more but right now Gordie is taking: A multi vitamin mineral one-a day A Calcium / Magnesium supplement (900 mg calcium) 200 mg of CO Q 10 (will increase shortly to 300 mg) 800 mg of vitamin E (will increase to 1200) 2000mg vitamin C (increasing to 3000 800 mcg folate 650 mcg vitamin B12 a B -complex containing B-1 150mcg B-2 150 mcg B-3 150 mcg B-6 150 mcg Biotin 150 mcg Pantothenic acid 150 mg PABA 100 mg Zinc 50 mg Ginko Biloba 80 mg Milk Thistle 300 mg I can't list all the things in the one-a day but it is the one for seniors. Centrum Silver We are still missing a few and increasing slowly so I don't give him digestive problems Norma [log in to unmask] wrote: > Dear Norma-You reference Rob's supplement program. I missed it when it was > posted, but would be interested in learning about it. I would appreciate it > if you would post it or send it to me individually if you prefer. > > Has anyone else had successful experiences with supplements they can share? > Thanks. Barbara > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 18:34:07 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Stacey L. Downing" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: My Introduction MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello, I wanted to share my letter to the President (even though I am fairly certain he will never read it) Dear Mr.. President, I am a thirty eight year old woman who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. I believe in the right to life as well as the right to choose and I believe a man should pay for his crimes imprisoned rather than put to peace. That is really what death is - peace. So, you see we differ and yet agree on many issues not unlike all of America. I have no idea what God is thinking about the stem cell issue or if he considers the cells they are using life. Does it have a soul? Unfortunately we can never know. What we are faced with is the fact that this research could end the suffering of those we do know God considers life and if you believe in spiritual things, are positive have a soul. Might we consider this research like the rowboat in a storm. Would we recognize God's help if we were looking it in the eye? Is it right to play with the creation of life in the first place? Any childless couple longing to be parents would argue that this method of science is their rowboat in the storm. The fact is that this method of science is being used and the life that is produced is no different than one created from natural methods. Who knows for sure that intercourse is the only way that God intended for life to be created? The next fact is that this method of science has "residual" that is proving to be the key to a "cure" for diseases threatening the lives of millions of people. Would we recognize God's help if we were looking it in the eye? As far as I know, God is not living amongst us in the physical form. Anyone claiming to be him would surely be cast aside and labeled crazy. Yet, he is present and individual interpretation of what he may or may not be thinking is the foundation for many important decisions, most recently the decision to fund stem cell research. I don't know. Unlike those opposed to funding the research, who claim to know exactly what God is thinking, I simply do not. I do know that this research has the potential of changing the futures of millions of people. Would we recognize God's help if we were looking it in the eye? Thank you for your time, Stacey Downing Please visit us at www.bid4cure.com where we are raising funds for private research ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 21:53:14 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: My Introduction In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >Hello, I wanted to share my letter to the President (even though I am fairly >certain he will never read it) > Dear Stacey--that was a powerful letter--I hope somebody reads it--- if not W. then one of his aides who might be impressed enough to pass it on...thanks for sharing it--I've always loved the rowboat in a storm story. Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> on the web at http://www.geocities.com/camillahf/index.html "A single voice among thousands stands alone, but a thousand voices united as one, stand to make a difference!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 02:08:33 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Sam Kalkstein <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: My Introduction MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 00:33:28 -0600 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Schaaf Angus / Meadow Creek Ranch <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Six in Ten Americans Favor Stem Cell Research MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0010_01C116FC.EBE66880" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0010_01C116FC.EBE66880 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_001_0011_01C116FC.EBE66880" ------=_NextPart_001_0011_01C116FC.EBE66880 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable This just came over MedScape !=20 = http://neurology.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/07/07.27/20010726ethc001.= html ------=_NextPart_001_0011_01C116FC.EBE66880 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
This just came over  MedScape !=20

 http://neurology.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/07/07.27/20= 010726ethc001.html ------=_NextPart_001_0011_01C116FC.EBE66880-- ------=_NextPart_000_0010_01C116FC.EBE66880 Content-Type: application/octet-stream; name="Six in Ten Americans Favor Stem Cell Research.url" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="Six in Ten Americans Favor Stem Cell Research.url" [DEFAULT] BASEURL=3Dhttp://neurology.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/07/07.27/200107= 26ethc001.html [InternetShortcut] URL=3Dhttp://neurology.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/07/07.27/20010726et= hc001.html Modified=3D80E6D30C2F17C1014D ------=_NextPart_000_0010_01C116FC.EBE66880-- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 00:13:59 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Phyllis <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Supplements MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I am aware that each person is different. For me, supplements have been miraculous. My diagnoses was made in January 2001 with symptoms of postural instability, stiffness, bradykinesia and internal tremor. Secondary symptoms of extreme fatigue, mind in a fog, memory loss, peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, muscle cramps, insomnia, depression to name a few. I participated in a study at the University of Arizona with an agonist which made me nauseous, caused me to fall asleep at inappropriate times, caused more depression and dreaming. I left the study and decided not to take the prescription meds because of the side effects and pursued alternative medicine. I have seen a metabolic physician, a medical doctor that focuses on alternative medicine and 3 chiropractors that specialize in contact reflex analysis. The internet has also been extremely helpful. I have seen two neurologists, the first one who diagnosed my condition and then Dr. Sherman who is the head of the movemnt disorder clinic at the University of Arizona (and I am now his patient). He is excellent and has given his opinion on some of the supplements I am taking that are more specific to Parkinsons. My personality is such that if something will not hurt you and may help I go for it and that is exactly what I am in the process of doing now. Half of the supplements I am taking are to optimize my general health. All three of the chiropractors' goals are to get my body to be functioning perfectly so that the body will contribute to healing itself. The contact reflex analysis is a form of strength testing that reveals what supplements you need. The metabolic physician did 16 vials! of blood work with the goal to also get all my blood results to be in the optimum range. As expected the amino acid profile (brain function) was a mess (Many hormones and neurotransmitters are derived from amino acids. Therefore, the intake of sufficient amounts of essential amino acids is important to maintain the proper function of intercellular communication. Examples of amino acid-derived hormones and neurotransmitters are g-aminobutyric acid (GABA), histamine, serotonin, melatonin, thyroxine, and the catecholamines dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenalin), and epinephrine (adrenalin). My levels: Serine 68 (normal 95-190), Asparagine 43 (normal 50-120), glycine 195 (barely in normal range 180-575), glutamine 468 (500-850), histidine 46 ((60-110), arginine 41 (60-150) while the rest were in normal range including the phenylalanine which I had been supplementing before the blood tests. The supplements prescribed were: L-Arginine, L-glutamine and acetyl-L-carnitine along with phosphatidylserine. I continue to take the Phenylalanine. without these I am extremely tired, depressed, poor memory. Marcia Roper was extremely helpful (she has written a book concerning PD) and insisted on the importance of optimal thyroid function with a complete thyroid study and my thyroid has been fine tuned. There has been much talk about Vit E, Vit C and Coenzyme Q10 and I am taking these. If I stop the C and E my restless leg syndrome returns! My diet has been radically improved (also Marcia Roper's suggestion plus my chiropractor's) and includes carrot juice, green food, brown rice, protein powder, no white flour, very little sugar, very little caffeine - sounds awful but I worked into it gradually and I do eat fairly normally at dinner and I am beginning to really like my food routine. I am walking about 25 minutes every night (I don't like it and am very afraid I may stop). I am happy, sleep well at night and the symptoms are greatly diminished which was not the case before my pursuit for optimal health. I feel normal! I have not given the doses I am taking because I am not telling others what to do but just sharing my journey. I hope this helps ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 03:33:07 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: NEWS: Legislators to Bush: Back Stem Cell Research, Legislators MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Legislators to Bush: Back Stem Cell Research, Legislators Saturday, July 28, 2001 BY FREDERIC J. FROMMER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON -- More than 200 members of Congress, including 40 Republicans, have sent a letter to President Bush urging him to support federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. "You have the lives of millions of our -- and your -- constituents in your hands," the 202 lawmakers wrote. Circulated by Reps. Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., and Diana DeGette, D-Colo., the letter cites reports that a private lab has created human embryos for stem cell research as evidence that federal oversight is needed. "The only way to ensure that embryonic stem cell research is conducted with strict ethical and legal guidelines is to provide federal funding and oversight," the letter states. The lawmakers also note the research's potential to find cures for diseases. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the president was still weighing "all of the scientific and ethical issues involved." Last week, 59 senators sent Bush a letter supporting the research. More than a dozen Republican senators are on record urging Bush to support the research, including Bill Frist of Tennessee, the Senate's only physician, who opposes abortion. Other abortion opponents are against the research because the embryos would have to be destroyed to conduct the research. Some scientists say stem cell research could benefit more than 100 million patients with such disorders as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and spinal cord injuries. Most of the Republicans who signed the letter, including Ramstad, support abortion rights. "With my own mother totally debilitated by Alzheimer's disease, a first cousin who died from diabetes and several close friends suffering from Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries, I plead with you to give hope to my loved ones and 100 million other Americans suffering from cruel, deadly diseases," Ramstad said. The anti-abortion lawmakers who signed the letter include Phil English, R-Pa., Randy Cunningham, R-Calif., and John Duncan, R-Tenn. SOURCE: The Salt Lake Tribune http://www.sltrib.com/07282001/nation_w/117208.htm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 04:16:51 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Yahoo's Full Coverage .... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: Quoted-printable Hi All, Yahoo's full coverage (on any subject) just gets better 'n better. Full coverage means what it says... Sorta "one stop shopping" on the topic of your choice.... In this example I chose "Human Stem Cell Research". Go to this LINK and see if you don't agree.... House Members Back Embryonic Stem Cell Research http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010727/pl/health_stemcell_house_dc_1.htm= l As you read the article you will find "links" all over the page... F'rinstance... Among the other diseases that could be addressed with therapies involving stem cells are Parkinson's disease (news Click on "news".... Search Result Found 186 news articles for "Parkinson's disease" Yahoo! News Story Matches 1 - 20 of 186 http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news?p=3D%22Parkinson%27s%20disease%22= &c=3D&n=3D20&yn=3Dc&c=3Dnews&cs=3Dnw Read about "Neotrofin"... Yahoo has an "Alert" option... Alert Me - Email me when there are new articles matching "Parkinson's disease" At the top of the page you will see a "Toolbar" with Links to: News Home - Yahoo! - My Yahoo! - News Alerts - Help - Reuter's Media Just below that is another series... Home - Top=A0Stories - Business - Tech - Politics - World - Local - Entertainment - =A0Sports - Op/Ed -=A0Science - Health - Full=A0Coverage go ahead... Explore... Make it yer home page... Yahoo is "addictive". Don't say I didn't warn ya... And... a'int it great!! Cheers ....... murray PS: Don't click on "more"... * * * [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 10:00:42 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: CNN: Christopher Reeves speaks out on Stem Cell Research... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT CNN: Christopher Reeves speaks out on Stem Cell Research on Sunday's "Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer" CNN's "Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer" Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser; House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo.; Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Okla.; Christopher Reeve, disability activist, actor and producer; defense attorney Roy Black, former Attorney General Richard Thornburgh; former White House special counsel Lanny Davis. 9 a.m. PDT; NOON Eastern.... Watch CNN's "Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer" Sunday... Cheers .... murray ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 14:16:44 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Jacob M. Drollinger" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Shot down again MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear friends, The pharmacueicals industry and the medical establishment has once again shot down a potentially promising treatment by labeling it "ineffective." NIL-A, the first (and probably last) neuroimmunophilin drug has, it seems, gone the same route as GDNF and fetal tissue implants. "No conclusive evidence to say it improves P.D. symptoms" is what they say. When the truth of the matter is, the people responsible for the findings, i.e. the medical and drug community, have too much at stake. Think about it for a minute: why would an industry, supported by over a million people (the numbers as you know are growing daily), all of a sudden offer them a cure, thereby cutting off their means of income, which is pretty substancial. Stem cells will be next, I am sure. If there is no possible way to prove them ineffective, I am sure that research and possible treatment will be outlawed. Call me a pessimist, but do you like apples? I call it a conspiracy. How do you like them apples? Jacob ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 12:28:24 -0600 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Schaaf Angus / Meadow Creek Ranch <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Shot down again MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear Jacob, This really makes sense. Why would the medical and pharmaceutical industry give up all of those millions each year they bilk off of the public to chance finding a cure. Unfortunately , the stem cell research which sounds so promising will probably go away because of Lobbists and Money not because the people dont want it. Rob and Deb ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jacob M. Drollinger" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2001 12:16 PM Subject: Shot down again > Dear friends, > > The pharmacueicals industry and the medical establishment has once again shot > down a potentially promising treatment by labeling it "ineffective." NIL-A, > the first (and probably last) neuroimmunophilin drug has, it seems, gone the > same route as GDNF and fetal tissue implants. "No conclusive evidence to say > it improves P.D. symptoms" is what they say. When the truth of the matter is, > the people responsible for the findings, i.e. the medical and drug community, > have too much at stake. > Think about it for a minute: why would an industry, supported by over a > million people (the numbers as you know are growing daily), all of a sudden > offer them a cure, thereby cutting off their means of income, which is pretty > substancial. > Stem cells will be next, I am sure. If there is no possible way to prove them > ineffective, I am sure that research and possible treatment will be outlawed. > Call me a pessimist, but do you like apples? > I call it a conspiracy. > How do you like them apples? > > Jacob > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 16:09:49 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Barbara Mallut <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Yahoo's Full Coverage .... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hey Murray (waving atcha) Is it possible that this wonder-of-all-wonders =*YAHOO*= still FREE to one and all? Huh Murray, HUH?? 'Cause speaking for myself only, I sure am tired of AOL! Hugs atcha.... Barb Mallut ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 16:36:36 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Pharmaceuticals--was "Shot down..." In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" The other night there was a feature on one of the news magazine TV shows (maybe Primetime, or 60 Minutes 2, that gave examples of how the pharmaceutical. companies *legally* can delay or stop the development of generics as their patents are close to expiration. All they have to do is get a NEW patent on something like the shape of the pill, the way it breaks (into 1/2 or 1/3) etc---and the courts AUTOMATICALLY delay the generics for two and a half YEARS ! This is outrageous ! There's a bill in Congress to stop this automatic delay--I THINK it may be co-sponsored by McCain. If anyone knows more about it, please post the info so there can be some advocacy from our community. Camilla Flintermann, former CG for Peter 83/70/55 Oxford, Ohio <[log in to unmask]> on the web at http://www.geocities.com/camillahf/index.html and also at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm "Ask me about the CARE list for Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! " And visit the CARE webring at http://www.pdcaregiver.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 17:56:22 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Shot down again MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Jacob and Group - I couldn't disagree with you more. This "conspiracy theory" has the same ring to it as those involved with the so-called "100 miles-per-gallon" carburetor or the "free electricity" schemes. In these situations the oil and power companies supposedly have squashed the development of technologies that would hurt their businesses. Hog wash! The truth of the matter is that each of the drug companies spend millions on research every year. Only after they've spent some big bucks can they apply for Government approval just to put the new therapy into Phase 1 trials. In most studies Phase 1 is just designed to test the safety aspects. After that, Phase 2 will begin to look at efficacy issues. As you might imagine, none of this is cheap in terms of finance, resources, or time. Most of you know that I am part of the porcine fetal cell xenotransplantation project. Let me assure you; the scientists who are with this experiment are with it in earnest. I also met with the company's CEO about a year after the operation. Part of this personal conversation was to determine whether or not the company was going to commit an ADDITIONAL $50 Million to the basic research. Does this sound like they're NOT looking for a cure? I don't think so. While we might not like the way drug and biotech companies run their firms (and price their products), it is wrong to accuse them of undermining their own scientists and researchers. For them money is the name of the game and it would be foolish to allocate funds to dead-end projects. The shareholders would simply not put up with this sort of nonsense. But they realize that many dollars have to be spent first to determine what has potential and what does not. Parkinson's disease is considered to be the most curable of the neurological maladies. While horrible enough, I'm grateful that it's not MS or Huntington's or worse. At least a lot of money is being spent on finding the cure and public awareness of PD has never been as high as it is now. Regards - Jim Finn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 18:27:20 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Noma DePew <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Yahoo's Full Coverage .... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Thanks, Murray....this is really going to help me convince some die-hards who are against stem cell research....hopefully. Bunny ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 18:34:21 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rees Jenkins <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Shot down again MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Fellow Parkies, Jim is 100% right. Just because a drug company tries and fails to find a treatment for PD, one cannot conclude that they are conspiring against us. Thank goodness that Amgen and others are at least trying (despite the fact that other illnesses provide larger and more lucrative markets). Failure is not a sign of bad intentions. It's a sign that we have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and continue supporting those who are trying to help us (even if their motive is profit). Tomorrow will be another day. Failure is also a sign that somebody took a risk. If anything's certain about finding a cure for PD, people are going to have to take risks. Let's pray for courage for both us, PWPs, and for those who devote their careers toward finding a cure when there is no guarantee that any one of them will be the one who succeeds. Rees Jenkins ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 17:15:48 -0700 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Genene Hill <[log in to unmask]> Subject: re. Shot down again Mime-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit The Amgen 474 24 week trial was a very aggressive trial with a high benchmark for hypotheses proof. As I read the news release and after talking with contacts at Guilford and Amgen, I come to the following conclusions. The trial met the first hypothesis of being a safe drug. It failed on the second hypothesis to improve motor skills by 4 points. However, there were secondary results that are significant. Those on the placebo lost dopamine neurons and did not produce new sprouts. Those on the low dose produced dopamine neurons and sprouting occurred and the high dose group produced more dopamine neurons and sprouts. The test proved that there were biological changes with use of the drug. Now they are studying subsets of the study group such as age, stages of the disease, etc. for more information. It may be that it takes longer than 24 weeks for motor skills to improve. It seems to me very significant that dopamine neuron density and sprouting actually did occur. The scientists and doctors will carefully analyze the data and decide where to proceed from here. It isn't over until it's over. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 17:50:20 -0600 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Nita Andres <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re; Medical and Parmaceutical MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit There is such a thing as orphan drugs, that the companies did not make enough money on , but reinstated them after public protests. Try it. I don't remember whether they said they were not effective or not. It is worth a shot. Nita Andres ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 19:11:08 -0400 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: DIANE/GREG NICOLAOU <[log in to unmask]> Organization: DIANE/GREG NICOLAOU Subject: Re: Shot down again MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Jim and all. I Agree. Finding a cure is real to me and i'm hoping it will be fairly soon, in fact I BELIEV E it will happen, its one thing that keeps me going with a positive attitude. Its to hard to go along with the 'conspiracy theory'. Diane ----- Original Message ----- From: <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2001 5:56 PM Subject: Re: Shot down again > Hi Jacob and Group - > > I couldn't disagree with you more. This "conspiracy theory" has the same > ring to it as those involved with the so-called "100 miles-per-gallon" > carburetor or the "free electricity" schemes. In these situations the oil > and power companies supposedly have squashed the development of technologies > that would hurt their businesses. Hog wash! > > The truth of the matter is that each of the drug companies spend millions on > research every year. Only after they've spent some big bucks can they apply > for Government approval just to put the new therapy into Phase 1 trials. In > most studies Phase 1 is just designed to test the safety aspects. After > that, Phase 2 will begin to look at efficacy issues. As you might imagine, > none of this is cheap in terms of finance, resources, or time. > > Most of you know that I am part of the porcine fetal cell xenotransplantation > project. Let me assure you; the scientists who are with this experiment are > with it in earnest. I also met with the company's CEO about a year after the > operation. Part of this personal conversation was to determine whether or > not the company was going to commit an ADDITIONAL $50 Million to the basic > research. Does this sound like they're NOT looking for a cure? I don't > think so. > > While we might not like the way drug and biotech companies run their firms > (and price their products), it is wrong to accuse them of undermining their > own scientists and researchers. For them money is the name of the game and > it would be foolish to allocate funds to dead-end projects. The shareholders > would simply not put up with this sort of nonsense. But they realize that > many dollars have to be spent first to determine what has potential and what > does not. > > Parkinson's disease is considered to be the most curable of the neurological > maladies. While horrible enough, I'm grateful that it's not MS or > Huntington's or worse. At least a lot of money is being spent on finding the > cure and public awareness of PD has never been as high as it is now. > > Regards - > > Jim Finn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 17:55:52 -0600 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Nita Andres <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Stem Cells MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit They are being used in England, exported by Israel and Japan ( as Murray reported ). Write, write and write again. Get your friends and relatives to write. Or if my husband were not to old we would find a way. As it is I am writing and writing. Don't e-mail or fax, GWB does not have it answered. Even if it is a form letter and the one I saw appeared to be. So don't stop. Nita ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 23:06:45 EDT Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Shot down again MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello. I never particularly liked DuPont, its history and its products, but whenever I went into the neurologist's office to pick up my packages of lodosyn, I thanked DuPont. I received lodosyn, to counteract the side effects of sinemet, for over two years, and I know others who received it for a longer period of time. Lodosyn has to have been/has to be an "orphan drug," and it was provided by DuPont, free of charge, for a long time. Now I buy lodosyn at the pharmacy like any prescription drug. I can be cynical, and say that DuPont created a ready market for lodosyn, when it did go on the market as a regular prescription drug for sale. On the other hand, I can say DuPont did not have to provide this orphan drug for me and others, and for free, and for however long it did that. Sure, I ask why, why did DuPont do this? This drug is for people with Parkinson's disease who have nausea, or vomit, when they take sinemet: how many people is that? How much money did/does DuPont make on lodosyn? Probably not that much. I would like to think, and I recognize I may be naive, that not every company, not every corporation, is motivated solely by profit, by money, all the time. I think the thought that drug companies may be/are motivated to forestall a treatment and/or a cure to a debilitating disease because they will lose money from being unable to have a market for current medications is a very clever, and provocative thought, and that thought does need to be considered and examined, but I would like to think, I would like to hope that somewhere someone in those big, bad drug corporations says lets make this orphan drug and give it away for free or lets develop this drug and hope for a treatment and/or a cure for Parkinson's Disease. Katie ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn