>Date: Tue, 26 Dec 1995 19:50:23 -0800 >From: HENRY GUTTENTAG <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: PATRICK SURVEY TO ALL PD'S ONLINE HELP Dear Patrick Martin and Friends: I was happy to read that Patrick is still willing to undertake the enormous job of entering our individual profiles into a database. It is a very exciting and promising endeavor. I urge you to participate. Compiling this info has been an eye opener for me. I have never looked at my situation in such an analytical way. Name: Margaret Tuchman -- E-Mail: [log in to unmask] -- Zipcode:08540 Age: 54 -- Weight: 120lbs. -- Sex: Female -- Eye color:blue Years Diagnosed: 15 Years Medication: 15 PD Medical Indications/Symptoms - INCREMENTALLY Beginning/Onset Stage Middle Stage Present Stage pin-rolling - left hand rigidity dystonia (neck) loss of left arm swing dyskinesia festination micrographia (small handwriting) insomnia bradykinesia tenting of left hand depression constipation curling of toes foot spasm nightmares PD Medications Amantadine (Symmetrel) 100mg Eldepryl - 5mg x 1 Sinemet - 25/100 x 8 Artane Sinemet - 10/100* Pergolide 0.25mg x 4 Benadryl - 25mg Sinemet CR - 50/200* Inderal *dosages varied Non-PD Medications Amitriptyline (Elavil) - 25mg at bedtime as a sleeping aide Alprazolam (Xanax) 0.25mg at bedtime as a sleeping aide & antidepressant Premarin - 1.25mg - hormone replacement Alternatives Vitamin E - 800mg BetaCarotine Vitamin C - 2000mg NADH - 10mg in the AM. on an empty stomach Vitamin B6 - 50mg Melatonin - 3mg at bedtime Personal Health History: endometriosis, total hysterectomy (1976), Family History: There is no known PD Toxic Exposure: periodic pesticide and insecticide use (before I knew better), well water, cigarette smoking. Comments For the past 4 weeks I have switched over to Liquid Sinemet with the hopes of evening out the on/off periods. It was wonderful for the first 10 days and then I "crashed". During my "off" times I experience tremors, bradykinesia, slurring of speech, drooling, festination. During my "on" times I have dystonia in my neck, dyskinesia and swaying. I am currently drinking my sinemet either every 2 hrs, or every hour depending on my symptoms . I am having a problem scheduling meals -- food (not only protein) has a negative effect on my sinemet absorption. Melatonin has been helpful in allowing me to sleep 5+ hours. NADH has not decreased my need for sinemet, but I feel that it "may" help in other ways? I am still working (decreased hours) and driving (as my symptoms permit). Keeping my stress level as low as possible, exercising and doing Feldenkreis movements are very beneficial, though not always "doable". Future Plans I am exploring VIM; am still hesitant to pursue pallidotomy or thalliotomy. Best Wishes to All for the upcoming year! Margaret Tuchman