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Dirk, Sorry for glazing over your request. That's what I do, most of the time, which is unfair, I know. I suppose there's no excuse, except that it takes us all longer to do the things we do...I'm sure you can appreciate this, and also appreciate any reply. So... "Normal" changes from case to case. Some have gradual increase of symptoms, others steeper. There is nothing unheard of in your letter, however I have experienced some differing rates and symptoms. Your first list from 2 yrs ago, is all stuff that I've experienced in my ten years since diagnosis, except the ringing ears, which in my case is due to too much rock n roll! Re: #11, I am always revealing myself when watching movies. When it gets to the exciting, or stimulating parts of the show, my hands will start flailing. This brings up such delicate decisions as where to keep ones hands, etc. Opportunities for humor pop up. Humor is one of my mainstays in combating PD. Re: your second list, the more recent list of symptoms: I have lost weight, from 230 to 180. I think it's because I do everything slower, including chewing and swallowing. The focus here should be on overall nutrition, not quantities, or what she used to eat, etc. #2 sounds to me, from afar, like symptoms progressing the way they do. Five yrs ago, my symptoms were exclusively in my right upper body. Today they have progressed into my legs and left side. #4. Sounds like me. I can exercise at a pretty good rate for a time, and my stamina seems ok. After the workout, I need to rest for much longer than non-PD people. The body just does not recover energy that quickly. Her ability to jog, in my uneducated opinion, sounds like normal PD behavior, in that when movement is initiated, symptoms such as tremor and clenching take a back seat for a time. I also have diminished capacities for multi-tasking and organizing. Just not quite so quick on the uptake. It is with the assistance of my loved ones that I persevere, that and a wickedly dry sense of humor. I'm on one and a half CR sinemet three times a day, along with 100mg Stalevo and a daily anti-depressant, and have been for the longest time. My personal experience is that other drugs generally are not worth the sleepiness they cause, and non-Rx supplements are of very limited value. I am determined to exercise every day. It's one thing that consistently makes me feel better. Others' experiences are apt to vary entirely from mine. I wish you good luck, and would encourage you and your wife not to lose heart. If you wrestle with this slippery beast, it can be contained somewhat. It will drive you crazy for sure, if you let it. So don't let it. Thanks for asking. And thanks for prodding me into a response. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. Rick McGirr -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dirk Kukler Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 4:33 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Fwd: FW: changes of Parkinson's symptoms. 2nd request.... Last weekend I sent a letter to this esteemd group with a request for feedback. I got one reply for which I am very thankful. In the meantime I updated her list of symptoms. Please, you regular contributors and others, tell me if you heard or experienced similar. We are in Puerto Vallarta for the winter and will not meet Veronika's neurologist until April and this uncertainty about her progress is 'killing' me. Thank you. Dirk Here is my updated letter again: After my wife's (69) diagnosis with PD 2 1/2 years ago I noticed over time dramatic changes in her symptoms and would like to know if this is considered normal. 2 years ago she: 1. had a very hard time climbing in and out of bed 2. her arms were stiff when walking 3. her handwriting became smaller and smaller 4. her upper lip would curl up 5. getting up from a chair or sofa took up to five tries 6. her right foot lower leg would shake a lot 7.complained about brain fog 8. ringing in the ear stopped (99% of the time, don't know if it has anything to do with Parkinson's) 9.couldn't do phone conversations w. her kids or friends for more than 3-5min 10. abt. 8 months ago, when walking, her upper body would tilt slightly to the left 11. if she got (negatively!) exited about something, her left hand would shake very fast abt. 10" and she would stop it with her other hand All these symptoms have more or less reversed back to normal. However now she suffers: 1. weightloss, down from 108lbs to 82lbs 2. moving toes, particularly at night before going to bed , moving up and down, while her feet try to roll left to right 3.breathing troubles, similar to Asthma, mostly at night 4. early mornings we take a walk, up to an hour and she walks fairly fast without any help. Then - like a deflated balloon - she looses power and she can't walk straight any more. But if I ask her to jog, while I walk beside her, she can do so for abt. 100m or so slow but very straight without loosing any balance.....??? She stays more or less like that for the rest of the day. Her brain capacity is diminished somewhat and she can't multitask. She takes 1 1/2 Sinemet 3x a day and a host of other remedies outside trad. western medicine. I was always under the impression that PD symptoms get, over time, gradually worse and don't disappear. Anyone with similar experiences? Thank you. Happy New Year and hoping, that a remedy for PD is just around the corner. Dirk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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