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Welcome to the list, Sam. You must have a tough inner core to remain dedicated to going without medication. I have recently given up on my attempts to function without carbidopa/levidopa. It was too much for me to handle, a very busy and disjunct schedule, extra personal and family issues, etc. Besides dealing with depression, which as you may know, is said to be both a symptom and a result of PD, the tightness, cramping, tremor, fatigue, loss of sleep, etc, it all got to me, finally, and I restarted Sinemet therapy about a month ago. I do use several therapies which seem to help me: therapeutic massage, chiropractic (since pre-PD days), exercise, yoga (started recently), and I'm continually stretching. I was diagnosed in 2001, at age 48 or so, and now, at age 52, I've seen a very slow progression of PD. Like you, most of my symptoms are on one side, my right (dominant) side. I have resolved to work very hard to overcome my depression, and to concentrate on health, and 'streamlining' my activities this year. And like you, I am involved in 'creative' pursuits; I am a piano player from Buffalo, NY, a bit more than a stone's throw from South Africa, a country that has fascinated the world over these last decades. I'm also very interested in writing, because I seem to have some ability at it, even tho I've had no training. Maybe you could share some bits of wisdom in how to approach the field and to focus my raw talents usefully. Feel free to write to me off list with non-PD discussions. You will find a wealth of info, advice and support here. Any problem you're facing, you'll be able to find someone here who has knowledge of what you're going through. Good luck and best wishes in 2006. Enjoy winter! (oh, is it summer there? Yeah, you live far away!) Rick McGirr Email: [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sam Weber" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 3:05 AM Subject: Intro > Hi there > > Just a few words to introduce myself... > > I am 42 years old (any Douglas Adams fans will know not to panic!) > and live > in sunny South Africa. I was diagnosed about 6 weeks ago although my > symptoms (tremor in right hand) started around 1999. I am now also > experiencing rigidity, bradykenesia, difficulty sleeping and fatigue > (possibly at this stage my most debilitating symptom). > > I have chosen to not go on medication yet as I am still compensating > adequately (using left hand which is still fairly steady, using > voice > recognition software - I make my living as a writer, slowing down my > life in > general, etc). I have become very grateful for my current level of > functioning but am obviously concerned for my future (including > financially). > > Over the past 6 weeks I have read extensively on PD. I am pretty > boned up > now on the biology of the disease and current research although > still very > much open to learning more. I have always had a healthy (read: > balanced) > interest in alternative / complementary / esotheric therapies and > would > appreciate any insights / thoughts in this regard from list members > as I > have not been able to find much on the web myself that specifically > pertains > to PD. I am committed to my spiritual development (although not to > any > religion)and am keen to explore PD connections in this regard. > Apologies up > front if this is not the appropriate platform for that. > > With best wishes > > Sam Weber (Ms) > > I want to know God's thoughts > the rest are details. > ~ Albert Einstein > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.10/218 - Release Date: > 02/01/2006 > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > 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