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Hello everyone! My name is Dianne Salva and I joined the list about a month ago. I want to thank all the contributors and of course Barbara, for making the list such a great resource for all of us who are concerned about Parkinson's. My father, who is 66 years old and a widower, has had Parkinson's for about 20 years. He still lives a pretty independent life, despite having rigidity and falls. He just recently moved to an apartment after selling the house he lived in for almost 35 years (and where I grew up). He lives in the Chicago suburbs. About two years ago I was transferred to Washington, DC. He comes to visit about 3-4 times a year, and my husband or I go back to Chicago about the same. We're trying to convince him to move here, not only because of the parkinson's, but because he lived a pretty traditional life for almost 40 years (i.e. he went to the office and my mother pretty much took care of everything at home). He's really never been into keeping house, laundry or cooking. I just think it would be so much easier (and healthier) for him on a day to day basis. But he is *fiercely* independent, and would miss Chicago, so I tread lightly. I've been wanting to mention that my father has had some real improvements over the past few years. Over the first 15 years or so after he was first diagnosed he followed a traditional (ultimately high-dosage) drug treatment regiment with various doctors. But about five or six years ago a doctor from Milwaukee (Dr. Nausieda-sp?) was recommended to him and he's been really happy with him. My father underwent an in-patient drug holiday and afterward took reduced dosages. He mixes his synamet with a vitamin A tablet and water. He keeps the mixture in a sip-n-stor (a tupperware-like 500 ml container with a locking straw at the top), which makes it easy to carry around. He also takes parlodel, but I'm not sure of the dosage. I think the remarkable thing is that he has not really experienced much of a progression of his symptoms over this past 5 years. In reality, his tremors are almost no longer a problem and although he still has on-off times and falls, he says he feels better (and he definitely walks better) during his on times. Of course, all this may be just the peculiar course of the disease in his case, but I think the lower dosages might be a key. What really prompted me to write today were the series of messages from Julie, Wendy and Rom, about toxins (and chelation therapy). I'm not completely convinced but I think the role of environmental or other toxins should definitely be the subject of more study. But I want to let everyone know about a recent family experience with "chelation" therapy. My brother-in-law suffered a stroke and permanent brain damage about 7 years ago. He was only in his thirties and it was unbelievably tragic. After years of hospitalizations and physical therapy, he is able to walk (slowly) and has (somewhat) improved speech. About 2 years ago he saw a show on TV that featured a woman who preached about healing. My sister-in-law called and the woman recommended he receive chelation therapy from a "clinic" in Indiana. They called the clinic and were told he should have chelation and fetal cell injections (not implant) over a period of about 3 months, at an estimated cost of about $15,000. Then he was to have "oxygen" therapy in Ohio for about two weeks. The whole family tried to talk them out of it, but I guess you have to recognize how desperate people can be victimized. They sold their house, paid the $15,000 and went to the clinic. Almost 10 months later and $30,000 deeper in hole, he left the "clinic" in no better shape. My sister-in-law is still trying to get some of the money back. I know nothing about these treatments and I only say this so you can know one example of how charletans will prey on people, especially where questionable health treatments are involved. Well, I'm sorry this was so long! Next time I'll write less.... Dianne Salva ([log in to unmask])