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Ron <[log in to unmask]>, Your message indicates depression as you noted. Our brains provide cognition that we are benefitted from - as well as made vulnerable - due to the capacity to communicate with our conscious self - as well as obtain knowledge by transfer from others via listening, reading, watching et cetera. Your words: "I'm pretty depressed about what the future holds for me." contain some clues that you might consider. The main symptoms of PD that you listed have only one that is presently significant imho. The sleeping difficulty is debilitating. It is also probably due to anxiety about the future - which you perceive as bleak. I was a bit older than you when my stiffness and rigidity became difficult enough to prevent me from doing my job functions - and I had little energy left to do anything else. The 'verdict' of PD pronounced by the neurologist caused me to have added anxiety about my future. I am sure that you have had anxiety about your symptoms for the two years before the diagnosis - as all of us did. The added anxiety from the further loss of hope about a quick cure is not unique. Neither is the depression caused by learning that scientists and others have not discerned the cause(s) of the syndrome(s) that Parkinsonism is the label designating what used to be 'shaking palsy' or 'paralysis agitans' which is the latin label. You did not elaborate the ups and downs emotionally that you have lived for the past two years. If your path has been mostly bleak and downhill, your keeping your condition unexplained has not likely been successful. If you feel less self-esteem because of having problems such as PD and feel weak or guilty about loss of functional perfection or prowess, this is normal but somewhat of an additional problem - if you do not pick your self up and get on with your life again. Your discovery that exercise really helps is important truth. You indicate trying to maintain a positive attitude. Those of us who give it our best have highs as well as lows in emotional state. Support groups are surrogate families in a sense. Love is the core of family and of couples and of friendship - and there is good in giving but also in receiving. I recommend not carrying the 16 ton weight yourself alone. It is not really there - but that takes a longer mesage. I was benefitted by many books. I recommend that you read Dr. David Burns "Feeling Good Handbook" on cognitive psychology - and do some of the writing exercises - to actually learn what he has found helps. Also read the Young Parkinson's Handbook from the ADPA. You can call 800-223-2732 to get the office in New York to request a copy of this American PD Assoc., Inc. There seems to be more opinion that less Eldepryl is sufficient. I took one each am for two years, then a second before lunch for nearly as long, and have reverted to one each am. Some find one-half does as well and some cease it altogether. It may be part of your inability to sleep. Levodopa also is sleep disturbing via enhancing vividness of dreaming. If your doctor has not tried to optimize your medications in concert with your feedback, suggest this. The sooner you learn how you respond, the sooner you will know when things need re-assessment and balancing. None of us know it all, but it is prudent to learn enough. Welcome! and Congratulations on your first-born! Ron,59,dz PD 11 <[log in to unmask]> Ronald Vetter http://www1.ridgecrest.ca.us/~rfvetter/