Debbie, It's not as black as Raylin states. I was diagnosed April 1993, stopped work August 1996, started meds Feb 1999[Permax] and Aug 2000 [Sinemet]. The most difficult period was 1997 thru 1998. Permax [agonist] turned everything around. August 2004 i reduced the daily dosage and I'm doing OK. I don't shake or have any involuntary movement; my speech has not changed. I can take of my personal needs and cooking [I'm on my own most days as my wife has rejected me]. The only boooks i read are on nutrtion, fitness and the brain = most PD books are too depressing. I discovered espresso coffee helps. The most important thing is to have a positve attitude. have faith and never loose hope. Marco > Debbie, I wish I had done more in my "honeymoon" period of PD. > > In the beginning my left hand tremor was "interesting". By the time I had > my DBS surgeries in 2003 bilateral tremors were driving me crazy. In the > beginning 1996 I could write, talk, walk, everything...even went to > Australia/New Zealand no cane in 1997 and Egypt with a cane in 1999. > > The one thing we can expect is we will get worse. The question is how > fast > and how bad and how well will meds or brain surgery help. > Ray. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "MyFirstname Mylastname Debbie Shontz" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 8:00 PM > Subject: Re: What to expect/Debbie > > >> Yes, I want to stay off meds as long as possible. The tremor is not bad >> when >> I am using the hand but when I am still or tired or upset, it sure is >> different. I am trying to cope with all these symptoms. Now that I >> think >> back about >> all my aches and pains and going to the orthopedic Dr, I must have had >> this >> for years only that the tremor and rigidity diagnosed it. I am going to >> Baltimore to check out a study and a good international Dr. there in >> Dec. >> Some >> people think I may not have PD but I am convinced. Debbie >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> 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