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Ron Barber wrote: Hello all. I've been lurking for a while now. I've chosen this akward manner of posting as there are many people in my life who I have not explained my condition to. I'd like to keep it that way for a while longer. I'm 39 and have had problems for about 4 years, ith an accurate diagnosis about 2 years ago. I currently take 1.5 25/100 sinemet with 1 odosyn in the am. I usually have a couple of crackers and some o.j. with them. I still end up with nausia after 30 minutes. I try to take 5mg eldepryl mid-morning, .5 sinemet before lunch, 5 mg eldepryl after lunch and 1 sinemet around dinner. I'm really getting by on the morning dose of 1.5 sinemets. I often miss some or all of the rest of my meds. My main symptoms are: - tremor, mostly in one arm, also in the leg on the same side - reduced arm swing, some problems with gait. - sleep difficulties. I'm usually wide awake at midnight. I'm pretty depressed about what the future holds for me. It seems like progress is coming too slowly to help. I always hoped for death via 16 ton weight. Now I'm getting it, but not dropped from the sky. Instead the weight is being lowered ever so slowly. I'm extremely disappointed that the various PD organizations cannot unite to lobby for the Udall bill. It seems if we could get the bill passed there would be plenty of time later to squabble over how to divide/spend the money. How short-sighted can our leadership be? Meanwhile, I try to keep a positive attitude. My wife will be delivering shortly (our first). I'm really trying to hang in to raise my kids. I just wish I had more time. I'd quit work tomorrow if they'd give me disability but I don't think it works that way. In preparing the house for the arrival, I've discovered that exercise makes a big difference. I strongly recommend as much activity as possible. That's about all for now. "Ron" 39/4 Ron: My wife has had PD for 5 years now (she is now 46). Your message struck a strong chord for us both. You sound like my wife did a year or so ago. When we read your message, the impression we get is that you are quite depressed. My wife went through a similar state of depression and the neurologist first said maybe we needed counselling so that she could better accept the condition. Like you, she had not told many of her friends about the PD (she still hasn't). In fact it was only this spring that we told our children (ages 14, 17). Anyway, she went to her GP who suggested she take some medication for the depression. She started on Prozac and she turned her depression around almost immediately. I could see a huge change in her. She was more animated, smiling, upbeat, etc. Unfortunately the Prozac also made sleeping more difficult. So her GP switched her to Luvox, a member of the same drug family. The Luvox also helped tremendously with the depression (not as well as the Prozac) but she was able to sleep better. She has been on the Luvox for about 9 months now and it continues to work for her. It also has another effect for the women Parkinsonians in that it helps to smooth out the impact of the menstrual period problems (tiredness, sleeplessness, achyness, etc). We are convinced (although the neurology profession is still undecided) that PD causes neurological changes that initiate depression (at least in some Parkinsonians). For my wife, the use of the anti-depressant medication was a godsend. We strongly suggest you take this up with your neurologist or GP and request trying it (that is if we have read your e-mail correctly in that you seem to be suffering from depression). Hang in there and be aggressive with your doctors. P.S. You are also right about exercise - my wife and I have been practicing Tai Chi for 4 years now and she claims it helps a lot too. Norm Ichiyen (P) Ruth Ichiyen, 46,5 Mississauga, Ontario