My name is Scott Burnett. I am 44 years old and was diagnosed with PD
at the age of 40. This was after the usual MRI's, bone scans, etc.
ruling out MS, Ankylosing Spondelitus (I had a marker in a blood test
that made this a possibility,) and other equally scary diseases. To
make a long story short, I'm now diagnosed with young onset PD, and I'm
taking 4 tablets of Carbidopa25/Levadopa 100 CR, 3 mg of Requip, 5 mg of
Selegiline and 800 IU of Vitamen E.
I have some questions that I'm hoping to find out answers to... I
know that each PWP is different and their case progresses on its' own
timetable, but generally,
1. At what dosage does the Carbidopa/Levadopa side effects outweigh the
benefits?
2. How long do people work after their initial diagnosis?
3. I have several odd movements going on: rocking from foot to foot,
clenching/curling my toes while standing, clenching my teeth, and
catching myself with my left hand raised (my wife calls this my "Gumby
pose.) Are these examples of Dyskinesia or side effects of the
medication?
4. Looking toward the future, how hard is it to get the California
State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) to okay disability benefits?
I'm also trying to start a young onset Parkinsons support group
here in Stockton, California. I'll be distributing flyers to my
Neurologist this week, and I'm hopeful he'll be willing to pass them on
to his patients. Any other ideas on how I can get the word out about
the group?
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