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----- Original Message ----- From: "susan robinson" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2003 3:34 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. Susan: As a newly diagnosed pwp, I'd recommend you see a neurologist now for a clear diagnosis. As I understand it, there is no one test for pd. But the one thing that seems to prove or disprove pd is treatment with sinemet. My doctor thought I had parkinson's, and suggested a trial treatment with sinemet. One pill and the symptoms improved and then the doctor said it confirmed his diagnosis. That said, your symptoms don't sound like classis parkinson's (shuffling gait, tremors, frozen expression, etc). Good luck, and there's lots of us willing to help. Merv Swing > > _________________________________________________________________ > ninemsn Premium transforms your e-mail with colours, photos and animated > text. Click here http://ninemsn.com.au/premium/landing.asp > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > 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