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My brother, Bill Updegraff, initially joined this network in my behalf. My husband is Ralph Wright, and my guide in computer functions. I am Lucile (65) and I am the Parkinson patient. In August, 1989, I was diagnosed with pd. My work was as a reading specialist, and I actually was relieved to have a name for what I had experienced. The neurologist said on that initial visit that I should resign immediately. My compromise was to work six weeks until a schedule was prepared for the year. Our family doctor and friend had introduced me to the idea of possible Parkinson's the previous February when I told him about a strange tremor in the middle finger of the left hand. By April I was a zombie--little sleep at night and so tired I was not capable of feeling emotion even. I was referred to a good internist, rheumatologist because of back pain and weakness which persisted in spite of surgery a few years before. He kept a close watch on me that summer until I developed telltale cogwheeling. At the initial neurologist's visit I asked how much time I had before being disabled, unable to do watercoloring, or pursue reasonable goals and activities. He looked at me and said, "Whatever you want to do with your life, do it in the next three years." I stopped teaching October 1989 and started getting my life in order. Ralph decided to take early retirement, too, from an administrative position at a state university. We also rather promptly contacted a mission and offered to serve Christ with them for 15 months starting May ,1990. Our field choice was Alaska. What a wonderful experience that was! We worked with Alaska Bible College in Glennallen, extending our time to total two and a half years. I taught one remedial course the first semester and tutored a bit after that. Any kind of public activity became increasingly difficult. However, I was able to help Ralph in office work and in setting up a library after he was assigned to Anchorage as Extension Coordinator. We were surprised to facilitate the purchase of a nice unit in a strip mall for an easily accessible site for the Extension. I found a remarkable neurologist and had excellent medical care in Alaska. From the start, medication was a major problem. On one half of a Sinemet, I spent a sleepless night, feeling as though my throat would close, having bowel and leg cramps. So everyone backed off that. I started on Artane which controlled the tremor, but made me pretty weird with impaired short term memory, etc. I also started Eldepryl in December 1989 and have continued on that ever since. In Alaska my doctor replaced Artane with Klonopin. It helped a little; she also started me on Bromocriptine. That kept me moving, but the tremors have steadily progressed. She tried a number of drugs, but all were withdrawn except the Klonopin , Eldepryl, and Bromocriptine. I also take a half a Desyrel at bedtime. Back in PA since November 1992, I was advised by the specialist at Hershey Medical Center to substitute Parsidol for the Klonopin. Parsidol is available in Canada as Parsitan, no longer manufactured in USA. It is a much better medication for me, although I cannot seem to take doses large enough to get the effect desired. In the face of decidedly increasing tremor, I was referred to University of Pa. Movement Disorder Clinic. Following the directions for miniscule doses of Sinemet, I have succeeded in taking a half a tablet three times a day (25/100). Currently, I am in the process of withdrawing from the Bromocriptine, very slowly. So I am plagued by tremor, but am quite mobile, a major blessing. I do two miles a day on a bicycle, continue back exercises, and neck and shoulder also (bursitis). I do my own housework and cooking except for heavy vacuuming. We entertain quite a bit and also do college fairs, etc. recruiting for the mission and college. When I become too uncomfortable, I try to collect myself by withdrawing a bit. I drive and even paint some and play the piano. (The most marvelous thing happened in Alaska. A faculty wife taught me watercolor and I was able to paint a few pictures which were printed and some of which I even sold at malls in Alaska!) How do you Parkies out there control tremor? Big question!!! It really bothers me especially in public. This is my long story.