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Rob - I have a patient who is 89 years old, born in Holland. She is terrified of the mad cow disease. I told her about your message, and she's still doubtful. However, I deleted your post and lost it somewhere, and I'd like for her to see it. Would you please send it to me again? Send it to my personal e which is [log in to unmask] Thanks much. Jo Ann On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 12:29:55 -0700 Schaaf Angus / Meadow Creek Ranch <[log in to unmask]> writes: > Dear CJ, > Sounds like your friend needs a lesson in "how bad things can be in > the > world outside PD." Having Parkinson's is not the worst thing to > have. It is > no fun either. But at least one has a chance to "see" things coming. > Visit > friends and rearrange one's life. Not so, with terminal diseases > such as > cancer or a child who has been desperately waited for to only die > at 12 or > sooner from a rare disease. > Your friend has lots of things in life to be thankful for if only > its seeing > the sunrise for another day. > Try showing your friend some of the misery outside of her world so > they can > see just how "lucky" she is to have PD and to make the most of her > life > instead of being depressed and full of self pity. > If your friend lives alone , see if she can have a pet. A little > responsibility everyday is really good therapy. > Getting your friend out to places is great as well as just being > their for > her. Try and get her to see herself as just another person with a > handicap > not a disabling disease. This little bit of illusion helps one get > through > tons of explanations with the ignoramuses of the world. > Remember, Parky's generally are a step behind in thought reactions > as well > as walking. If need be, slow down the pace of a conversation. Learn > to take > a breath so she doesnt feel pressured to reply . This way she may be > more > relaxed and less depressed about conversing and just doing things. > Her mind > may be whirling to answer you but she just cant get it together to > answer so > give her the time to do so if necessary. I wouldnt worry so much > about > saying the right thing. Your'e there arent you? Sometimes a smile as > a > response is all that is needed. Your friendship is important to her > too. > Depression is easy to get into but with understanding of PD and > getting busy > and staying busy it is harder to slip into on a regular basis. > I wish you luck in getting her out of her depression episodes and on > with > life. My dog keeps me going out the door at least four times a day > just for > him. Rob > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Cathy James <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2004 7:48 AM > Subject: Stalevo/depression > > > > Has anyone tried Stalevo? My friend's levadopa is not lasting as > long as > it did. Should I encourage her to try Stalevo? > > > > On another note, what is the best way to deal with depression in > addition > to therapy? I know you all must experience this. What have friends > done > for you or said to you that helped the most? I'm at a loss for new > things > to try. I take her out walking and to movies and dinner, etc. I > never seem > to say the right thing. > > > > Thanks! > > CJ > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > 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 > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn