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I am sorry to respond so late to the kind messages I received from John Cottingham, PJ Kelly and Alan Bonander (and someone unnamed) about my mother's rejection for pallidotomy. I wanted to try to get the answer to John's basic question, what meds is she on? This took me a week; I don't live with my mother, and she can't remember her meds, and her husband is a bit defensive about questions. I appreciated all the responses, and thought about them, and have some brief responses. First, my mom wasn't rejected for dementia; she was rejected because her symptoms weren't bad enough. It was precisely the *absence* of discussion of dementia that worried me, and that I thought should be considered -- not only as an obstacle to a pallidotomy, but as a reason for one. "Dementia" is not a very specific term; someone with memory trouble, like my mom, I am sure would be perfectly lucid answering questions about her physical reactions on an operating table. I can see why a surgeon would be "gun-shy" about any mental trouble given the importance of mental clarity, but I lament the obstacle this raises to people who might greatly benefit from the operation, especially when *some* mental trouble might not mean that crucial kind of incompetence at all. The idea that pallidotomy might actually *relieve* some forms of mental trouble is extremely provocative and suggests that a more heterodox evaluation approach to "dementia" might be called for in the screening process. Second, mea culpa. I have read repeatedly that pallidotomy is not designed to relieve tremor, although I did note Jan's report that Scripps rejected her husband because "he is not troubled by tremor which is the condition most relieved by pallidotomy." A little confusion out there, the more alarming coming from surgeons, assuming Jan got their message clearly. Third, I've found inconsistencies in reports on the age factor, although I don't have the cite (from this discussion group) any more. Re the meds: my mom appears to be taking Sinamet-CR 250 morning and evening, with "half" a regular Sinamet with the morning pill and regular Sinamet 10/100 at lunchtime. "Clonapine" (sp?) in the evening, and something to promote water retention in the morning. She has taken various things for depression and anxiety; it is a constant battle. Xanax made her a zombie. Zoloff didn't appear to do much of anything. Prozac worsened her anxiety. Re John's diary suggestion: an excellant one, which I don't think they are doing. Her husband is a retired pharmacist and considers himself an authority; at the same time, I think they take what the specialist confirms she should take and stick to that regimen until they get approval to change. Lastly, a second mea culpa: after much caution, I did slip into the "holy grail" view of the pallidotomy, once her neurologist suggested she go get screened. Desperation will do that to you. Thanks to all... I'll keep hoping for the best. Virginia [log in to unmask]