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Maggie Mauney wrote: > Thanks to all of you who replied to my recent email to the list. I'm still > trying to come to terms with my diagnosis, and was only diagnosed last week, > so I have many questions on what my future holds. > > I'm 52 years old, and am in terrible health--I'm diabetic, have had 3 heart > attacks, have severe osteoporosis, and now PD; I guess I'm expecting to die > suddenly any minute now. > > I still have to try to work, since I've been told I don't qualify for > disability until I'm unable to work for 12 months. I'm a cashier at a > grocery chain, and the tremors and difficulty walking are definitely > interfering with my work. I live alone in the country--driving is difficult > now--I have problems getting into and out of the car, and if I drive for a > good while, I get dizzy and disoriented. My family is not nearby, and it's > difficult for any of them to understand my limitations and my fears. > > I do, however, live just a few minutes from Duke University Medical Center, > and from University of North Carolina Hospitals, so I have a good referral > network close by. I want to learn more about what to expect, and will be > following the posts on the list to get some suggestions about how to manage > better. I will probably buy a cane to use for walking--with my severe > osteoporosis, I worry about breaking bones when I fall. I will try to > discuss my concerns with my neurologist--though he has a very hectic > practice and is always quite rushed. > > Thanks for the links for more information. I will definitely check them > out. > > Maggie Mauney Dear Maggie, With diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and PD, you have very real concerns, and if your doctor hasn't already done so, s/he should refer you to a registered dietitian for medical nutrition therapy. You may qualify for disability -- a gentleman with PD has generously compiled information regarding SSDI for people with PD on his website: Parkinson's, SSDI, and you: Social Security Links with the Person with Parkinson's in Mind http://users.adelphia.net/~firingpin/ssdi.html For faster loading, click on the little white "building icon." On the next screen, some browsers may show a vertical row of "red lights" with text next to them; other browsers may show the text farther down the screen; be sure to scroll to the bottom of the screen. I would certainly consider this, and would also ask other listmembers about their experiences -- some have been very successful! If you are near Raleigh, here is the name of a dietitian who will work with people who have PD, and I have promised to help her at need: Barbara Ann Hughes, PhD,RD,LDN,FADA 4208 Galax Dr. Raleigh, NC 27612-3714 919 787-2949 Best regards, Kathrynne -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD "Ask the Parkinson Dietitian" http://www.parkinson.org/ "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" "Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy" 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