Dear Susan,
I wouldn't be able to wait for the appt.. You are one brave woman.
Everything you said is true, except I would get on the minimal amount of
drugs commonly used for Parkinson's Disease. I had all the symptoms you
have, plus I couldn't swing my arm also, when I was diagnosed at age 37. I
am 49 now. Today there is no cure, but "tomorrow is only a day away".
Research is making fantastic strides. My hope is that I live long enough to
see cures for Parkinson's Disease, MS, ALS, and Alzheimer's. The meds for
PD (sinemet & permax basically) are keeping me going, but you have to have a
good neurologist determine what meds might work for you. That's the weird
part of this disease - we all react a little differently to the various
drugs out there. But when the drugs are working, the pain is diminished
drastically. The unfortunate part is it returns when the drug wears off
I'm a 13 year veteran so if you have any questions, I might have some ideas
or suggestions.
Paula from PA
P.S. Champagne brunch at my house the day after the cure is found -
everyone concerned about PD is invited.
----- Original Message -----
From: "susan robinson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2003 6:34 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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