Hi! Susan:
I had frozen shoulders four years before I was diagnozed with PD.
Nobody told me it was a PD symptom in those days. Your guess is probably
right. I went through phyical therapy and it took a few months to get some
relief. But, this was never complete.
You have come to the right place. The most imporant thhing you should
be aware is not to panic. Never be afraid. Read as many books as you can
about PD. Learn to "fight like a tiger and think like a fox."
Raj
***************
----- Original Message -----
From: "susan robinson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2003 7:34 AM
Subject: hi all!
> Hi, I'm Susan. and I live in a country town north of Sydney in Australia.
> I am new to the List, and have not yet been diagnosed with Parkinson's.
> Having read quite a lot lately about symptoms, though, I'm pretty sure
> that's what I've got - either that or MS, but at 52 years of age, I think
MS
> is less likely. My local doctor has referred me to a neurologist
> (appoinment later this month) and wants him to send me for an MRI. I've
had
> a CT brain scan - normal - and the usual blood tests are normal.
>
> I've read that a "frozen" shoulder is a common early symptom. Can anyone
> tell me whether, when it is a symptom:
> - the arm remains "frozen", or
> - physiotherapy can get it moving almost fully again ?
>
> My shoulder was "frozen" early this year, though it was diagnosed
as"rotator
> cuff dysfunction". Physio got it working again, with only stiffness
> remaining - which exercises relieve. For months I thought the other
> problems I am having - poor balance, severe writing difficulties, unable
to
> brush teeth - were caused by the shoulder. But those other symptoms
haven't
> eased with the improved shoulder function, and in addition my speech now
> sometimes gets "caught up" - as though the tongue/lips can't move fast
> enough [especially saying "Mama Mia" :) ] - definitely not related to the
> shoulder! I also get a bit of "foot-drag". I wonder whether my shoulder
> problem was an early Parkinson's symptom.
>
> I've read that there is no treatment that slows down the disease, but
> elsewhere I read that treatment should be commenced as soon as possible.
Is
> that only to relieve symptoms, or can the drugs actually slow down
> degeneration? Isn't it better not to use the drugs till later, because
> their effect diminishes and a higher dose is needed? I'm confused about
> early treatment and the need for a definite early diagnosis. I can put up
> with my symptoms at present, but I want to know if treatment actually
slows
> down the disease.
>
> Thanks for reading this, and for any advice you can give.
>
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