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This is a good idea, Bill. A basic list off the top of my head is below. I'd be happy to participate in an interview or questionaire, if your MD comes up with one. The immediate question is, how to train medical personnel to more quickly recognize the signs of PD. I'd like to suggest, while he/she's at it, that your MD also take in a wide base of data on the exposures in people's lives which could have been causative. In my case, for example, you've got a guy who was a tripped out hippie musician in the sixties and seventies. This lifestyle is now known to not be among the more healthy. And in the late 70's I was exposed to elevated levels of pesticide as we fought a prolonged battle with fleas. (fleas 1, humans 0) Even before I was aware of any tremor, when I would prop my head with my ear in my palm, to read in bed, I would notice a low undulating noise. I now know that this was the beginning of a tremor, that my wrist and forearm muscles were contracting incessantly. I wish I could have instituted massive neuro-protection tactics at that point. I don't think a sane person would qualify this as a PD symptom so early, but I think people should be cautioned not to ignore the tiny things their body is saying. Other early symptoms: Twitching thumb reduction in right arm swing muscle stiffness, especially neck, shoulder and arm (right only) awareness of a slight tendency to walk slower than I used to, from the car to the store and such. Keep us posted. Rick ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill at SB" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2005 5:08 PM Subject: Let me (re)introduce myself > Hi - > > My name is Bill Isbell (Bill at SB). I was active on one of the > Lists several years ago, but stopped when I felt that I was being > overwhelmed by the sheer number of messages. Now, I propose to reenter the > List with a proposal. > > I have read too many times that doctors are not familiar with > the symptoms of PD. It took less than five minutes for my neurologist to > correctly diagnose my condition as Parkinson's. From my own experience, I > can list many signs that pointed surely to a correct diagnosis. I expect > that each of us has their own list. Why not combine the lists into a > training document for MDs? I have discussed this with my neuro and he is > receptive to writing a paper on the subject. It can't hurt and it could help. > > For starters, my "First Signs of Parkinson's" list would include: > Losing the ability to whistle > Stubbing my right foot on the carpet > Feeling that I could hide my thoughts from others behind my mask > Making my jaw slack > Drooling > Lessened arm swing, especially right arm > If you like this idea, please add your own early symptoms and I will > collate and distribute. > > Regards, > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- -- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > Bill at SB > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn