>There are 18 messages totalling 716 lines in this issue. > >Topics of the day: > > 1. What do others pay? (4) > 2. My First Visit to a Neurologist (4) > 3. Pallidotomy info. > 4. Book to read! > 5. ECT and PD > 6. Parkinson's Cure? > 7. Fetal implant story > 8. HMO's > 9. Information Needed on Dosage of Drugs > 10. homeopathic helps (2) > 11. Minority PDs for Research in Arizona > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 00:24:37 -0400 >From: David Boots <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: What do others pay? > >Picked up refills today at Kaiser Hospital here in Santa Rosa, CA > >100 tablets: Sinemet CR 50/200 >retail price: $122.90 >my price: $5 > >300 tablets: Sinemet 25/100 >retail price: $172.00 >my price: $15 > >200 tablets: Eldepryl 5 mg >retail price: $350.95 >my price: $20 > >My coverage saved me $605.85 > >What do others pay? > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 00:25:33 -0400 >From: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: My First Visit to a Neurologist > >Steven, by your area code u live close to ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON HOSPITAL in >New Brunswick. They have a fine PD/movement disorder department. > >Only my suggestion, get the best you can > >Joyce > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 07:19:37 -0400 >From: MM <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: What do others pay? > >On Wed, 10 Apr 1996, David Boots wrote: > >> Picked up refills today at Kaiser Hospital here in Santa Rosa, CA >> >> 100 tablets: Sinemet CR 50/200 >> retail price: $122.90 >> my price: $5 >> >> 300 tablets: Sinemet 25/100 >> retail price: $172.00 >> my price: $15 >> >> 200 tablets: Eldepryl 5 mg >> retail price: $350.95 >> my price: $20 >> >> My coverage saved me $605.85 >> >> What do others pay? >> > >My BC/BS coverage charges $12 for a three-month supply of anything, when >ordered by mail. So, > >180 tablets: Eldepryl 5 mg (Rx 2x 30 days * 3) >my price: $12 > >xxx tablets: Sinemet (any variety), Amantadine, etc. >my price: $12 > >Can't really estimate the savings: the more I take (or have prescribed), >the more I save. Seems kind of screwy. > >======================================================================== >Margaret Monty [log in to unmask] >======================================================================== > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 08:48:28 -0400 >From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: What do others pay? > >We feel extremely fortunate re: drug prices---Peter, as a retired >employee of the state university, is covered by the Public Employees Retirement > System (Ohio) which has excellent medical insurance. Drugs are available by >mail from Nat'l RX Services,at $2.00 per R (3 mos. supply) for brand names >and generics are FREE! A hurry-up short term Rx in local drug store >is maximum $9. brand, $4.50 generic. How I wish everyone had this kind of >coverage! >Camilla Flintermann,CG for Peter 76/6+ Oxford,OH >[log in to unmask] > >------------------------------ > >Date: Sun, 31 Mar 1996 19:43:41 -0500 >From: DEBORAH BELLMAN <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Pallidotomy info. > >My mother has an appt. in amonth for a consultation re. a pallidotomy at >Kaiser Hospital in Los Angeles from a Dr. Sutton. >I am wondering first of all if there is a way to get a list of past notes >written re. pallidotomies, patients thereof, comments on, etc. Can I >somehow get a compiled set of such a thing? > >And of course, I am interested, to hear any latest comments on the subject. >I want to know as much as I can. Any good resources, and any >good/bad/indifferent personal input? >thank you once agAin >[log in to unmask] > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 08:19:16 -0400 >From: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: Book to read! > > You wrote: >For those of you interested in reading an account of how neural grafts >ameliorated the symptoms of 3 patients with MPTP-induced parkinsonism, >there is now a book available: >(MPTP is a byproduct of sloppy synthesis of a designer street drug and >causes Parkinson-like pathology in humans and non-human primates) > >Langston, J. William; Palfreman, Jon: >The Case Of The Frozen Addicits > >Hi All, >In response to the above posting, you may be interested to know that most of >the APDA Information & Referral Centers across the U.S. have the video called >The Case of the Frozen Addicts for loan. > >Susan Reese >Director >APDA YOPD I&R Center >1/800-223-9776 > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 10:13:13 -0400 >From: Keith Bea <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: ECT and PD > >My father-in-law, age 75, has been receiving electric shock (ECT) treatments >for six months for PD and depression. Does anyone have experience or >knowledge about this treatment regimen? Any suggestions for professional >literature on the topic? The treatments appear to be helping for a short time, >but we're concerned about long-term effects and whether a different treatment >should be tried. He also takes 2 Sinemet a day, but does not tolerate drugs >well. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks. > >Keith Bea ([log in to unmask]) > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 09:19:15 -0400 >From: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Parkinson's Cure? > >A cure for Parkinson's? No problem. All it takes is money. > >It's not AIDS. Hundreds of millions are spent each year for AIDS research >and progress is still painfully slow. > >It's not cancer. Millions of people are surviving bouts with cancer today >but incremental increases in funding for cancer research no longer produce >correspondingly dramatic breakthroughs. > >It's not Alzheimers. There is no effective treatment for this disease even >remotely on the horizon. > >It IS Parkinson's. It effects a relatively tiny number of brain cells. It >is the subject of numerous exciting treatment strategies. It is the most >promising area of neuroscience research because it may be the first >neurodegenerative disease that will be effectively treated, then arrested, >then reversed and finally - CURED. > >But when? > >Five years? >Ten years? >Fifteen years? >Twenty years? > >When my father was a young man his grandfather whispered to him, "Alec, help >me." as he lay frozen in his hospital bed. My father was haunted by those >words for all of his adult life because he knew he had been powerless to >help. His family eventually delivered his father to a hospital for >"Incurables". > >My father was diagnosed with PD in 1975. He immediately sank into a deep >depression remembering what his father had been through. Thankfully, >research provided a much better quality of life for my dad. But, how can any >of us stand by and do nothing when we are so close to ending the suffering? > >PD will not be cured through private research funding alone. All of the U.S. > Parkinson's organizations combined can support less than $5 million on >research each year. That's less than 20% of what the National Institute of >Health spends with even a modest budget. > >Scientists tell us that if we are to cure Parkinson's by the end of the >decade we will need to spend $100 million per year. It sounds like a lot, >but it is nothing compared to the cost to society of lost productivity, >disability, healthcare and suffering for the more than one million Americans >with PD and their families. > >Come to Washington, D.C. in May to learn how you can help us put an end to >Parkinson's NOW. We are gaining support in Congress for the Udall bill. We >need more. We need to let Congress know that our lives are important and >that they can do something meaningful to help us without "wasting" taxpayers' >hard-earned money. When you send your check on April 15th send a message to > your legislator explaining how you want a tiny fraction of it spent. > >If you are concerned about the cost of travel to Washington there are ways to >help. Talk to the members of your local support group. It is a certainly a >worthwhile use of your treasury's funds. > >Contact the Parkinson's Action Network ([log in to unmask]) - there are >limited funds available for scholarships to the Forum. > >Call the American Parkinson's Disease Association and the National >Parkinson's Foundation. They may be able to help as well. They understand >the importance of the government funding mandated by the Udall bill. This >spring we have had more cooperation in the effort to pass the bill than ever >before. It is in all of our best interests to maximize the impact of the >Forum and that means more attendees. > >I am sure that some families living in the Washington, D.C. area would love >to host a Parkinson's "activist" for three days in May. Any volunteers? > Those of us within driving distance have been known to carpool and share >rooms at the Forum. Any other suggestions? > >See you in Washington in May. > > >'96 - The Year We Pass the Udall Bill. > >Fund the research. Find the cure. > > > >Ken Aidekman > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 10:24:30 -0400 >From: Mark Lyte <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: What do others pay? > >David Boots wrote: >> >> Picked up refills today at Kaiser Hospital here in Santa Rosa, CA >> >> 100 tablets: Sinemet CR 50/200 >> retail price: $122.90 >> my price: $5 >> >> 300 tablets: Sinemet 25/100 >> retail price: $172.00 >> my price: $15 >> >> 200 tablets: Eldepryl 5 mg >> retail price: $350.95 >> my price: $20 >> >> My coverage saved me $605.85 >> >> What do others pay? > >Believe it or not, my dad who lives in Florida pays about $620. He has >to rely mainly on Medicare/Medicaid and a co-insurance policy he buys to >get back some of the Medicare deductible. The monthly payment for >Sinemet alone is breaking their savings. > >If anyone has any suggestions I would be glad to hear them. I should >note that for years I have tried to get my dad enrolled in a HMO that >would cover his drug costs. He has adamatly refused and constantly >cites all the bad experiences of his friends (although he has had his >own share of uncaring, unfeeling fee-for-service neurologists). He is >72 years old and has been diagnosed with PD for 15 years. > >Thanks. > >Mark Lyte > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 10:47:56 -0400 >From: Kathie Tollifson <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Fetal implant story > >I found this article following links from Patrik's NECTAR page. Sounds like >good news! > >XXXXX > >Brain disorder treatment hailed > >Los Angeles Times > >Thursday, March 28, 1996 >(Page A 3 and continued on page A 24) > >Health: Fetal cell transplants halted progression of fatal >Huntington's disease in three patients, L.A. researchers >say. > >By Thomas H. Maugh II, Times Medical Writer > >Researchers at Good Samaritan Hospital on Wednesday reported the >first successful use of fetal cell transplants to treat Huntington's >disease, offering hope for the first effective treatment of the >fatal brain disorder. > >Dr. Deane B. "Skip" Jacques and his colleagues told >a meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in San Francisco >that the transplants halted progression of the disease in the >three patients treated and reversed some of the deterioration >that had occurred. > >Although the patients need to be studied longer to ensure the >survival of the grafts, "I think we could impact Huntington's >in a revolutionary way," said Dr. Matthias Kurth of the Barrow >Neurosciences Institute in Phoenix, who evaluated the patients. > > >Matthew Hopson, a 24-year-old from Phoenix who received the first >graft in July, put it more succinctly:"It saved my life." > > >Huntington's is one of the more common inherited brain disorders. > About 25,000 Americans have it, and an additional 60,000 carry >the defective gene and will develop the disorder as they age. > The slowly progressive condition, which killed folk singer Woody >Guthrie, usually comes on between the ages of 30 and 50 and causes >the degeneration of brain cells. > >It is characterized by jerky, involuntary movements called chorea, >loss of control of bodily functions, and dementia, a progressive >deterioration of memory and thought processes. Children of patients >have a 50% chance of developing the disorder, which is invariably >fatal within 10 to 15 years after onset. > >Although researchers hope to develop therapies based upon the >discovery three years ago of the defective gene that causes Huntington's, >no effective therapy exists. Success with transplants would represent >a major step forward in improving the condition of Huntington's >patients. > >Fetal cell transplants are being widely studied as a treatment >of Parkinson's disease, and the Good Samaritan group is one of >the leaders in that effort. > >Jacques' team has performed the procedure on 40 patents and reports >in this month's Journal of Cell Transplantation that 70% of them >have shown significant improvement in neurological functions. > The remaining 30% are now taking less medication for their Parkinson's >and none have deteriorated as a result of the transplant. > >Animal experiments suggest that Huntington's may be a much better >prospect for transplants than Parkinson's, said Dr. Oleg V. Kopyov >of Good Samaritan. In Parkinson's, the transplanted cells serve >simply as a source of brain hormones, particularly dopamine and >growth factors. > >But in animal models of Huntington's, the transplanted cells actually >become integrated into the brains's structure, restoring neural >circuitry that was destroyed by the disease. "It lends itself >better to transplants than anything else in the brain," Kurth >said. Although several groups have talked about performing the >transplants, no one has yet reported any results. > > >The Good Samaritan team actually performed their first transplant >a little sooner than they had planned when Kurth told them about >Hopson. He is an unusual Huntington's patient in that his first >symptoms appeared early, at age 20, and the disease progressed >very rapidly. > >Researchers now know that this early onset is a function of the=7F >degree of mutation in the Huntington's gene, and Hopson's gene >is, in fact, severely mutated -- much more so than the gene carried >by his father. The elder Hopson, 48, has not yet developed the >disease. > >By the time that Hopson underwent surgery in July, he was bed-bound, >said his mother, Sherry Cauldwell. > >If he tried to walk, he fell, and he had bruises and cuts=7F >all over his body," Cauldwell said. "We had to spoon-feed >him. He had tremors in his voice so bad that his speech was= > incomprehensible, >which really made it difficult because he also couldn't write." > > >Kurth was examining Hopson every month and it became apparent >that he was declining rapidly. "He had maybe five years >of life left, which weren't going to be very pretty", Kurth >said. He discussed the case with Jacques and Skip said, >"`Why don't we do a transplant?" > > >The results from the surgery surprised even the research team. >"Our expectations were exceeded a lot",Kopyov said. >"We couldn't expect what we obtained." > >Within 10 days after the surgery," Kopyov said, "Hopson was walking >and talking and had no chorea. We thought it was a placebo >effect, but we now know that it isn't" the doctor said. >"But we still don't know how to explain such immediate improvement." > >The two other male patients operated on in January showed the >same type of immediate improvement, but "It was even more >pronounced" Kopyov said. > >Hopson has continued improving and is now living independently >with a roommate. He uses a wheelchair, but can walk short distances >and rides an exercise bicycle. > >"I miss playing Frisbee and all that stuff ... but I can >go anyplace I really want to," he said," I'm slowly >but surely getting better." > >"What we can say with confidence," Kopyov said, "Is >that the disease is not progressing any more." > >The team plans no more transplants for perhaps another year while >they evaluate the current patients' progress. They also do not >have funds to perform further surgeries. "But if the patients >continue to show improvement, " Kopyov said," that problem will probably >resolve itself." > >Transcribed from The Los Angeles Times > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 06:58:54 -0400 >From: DEANNA BARTUCCIO <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: HMO's > >Mark Lyte in "What do other's pay?", mentions wanting to enroll his >father with an HMO. I would just like to make a comment: > >I have many friends who are doctors in here in Canada and in the US. >This weekend I had a indepth discussion of HMO's with them. From what >I hear, I would stay far away from HMO's. As I have been told, they >are able to offer good savings and incentives for the patient (One not >being the limitation of choice of doctor), by skimping on the >doctor's end, which in turn could causes poor care by the physician. >The physician is paid a set fee per year by the HMO per patient. This >amount averaging $75 per year. Therefore, no matter how long the >visit or how many visits, the physician only earns $75. Therefore, >doctors could tend to discourage revisits and be brief during visit >(possibly unthorough), therefore they can see more patients. My >friend has encountered physicians who have taken up this practice. > >I do not wish to scare anyone, just to pass on information I know. >There is a case where my friend is a resident, where a patient died >because they were not approved by their HMO to go to the emergency >room. According to the HMO, they will only pay for emergency room >visits if it is preapproved by the HMO. That means, calling ahead. >You, of course, could still go to the emerg but the HMO will not pay >for it. Well, because the patient was not approved, she did not go to >the emerg. Later, when chest pains persisted (was instructed to take >maalox), the husband finally took her on his own, but it was too >late. The HMO is not responsible (written in the contract) for such >instances (failure of treatment...), therefore, the doctors are the >only ones left to "blame" (the patient arrived alive....) > >Of course these are views from a physician's perspective, and >everyone is entitled to their opinions. > >Deanna > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 12:57:57 -0400 >From: Bernie Bessette <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: My First Visit to a Neurologist > >>Re. your visit to the meurologist, your symptoms are very similar to mine >and even the way in which your check-up was done is similar. One big >difference though, my neurologists says its Parkinsons, not that that is any >comfort, however. Sounds like you need a second opinion, if your HMO will >agree. I've also called Emory University and have put myself on the waiting >list to see Dr. Ray Watts, head neurologist (expect to get in to him in the >Fall). I am 47 years old and am getting along with the minimum meds that I >can. I put up with the shaking on my left side, taking just enough 100/25 >sinemet CR and elderpril (2X daily) to keep me mobile while minimizing the >diskinesia. > >Good luck, > >Bernie Bessette > >Hi all: >> >>Well, visit number one to the neurologist was not very informative. My MRI >>results were negative (just a cyst on sinus) and the neurologist had not >>seen the results of my blood work. He asked many questions about symptoms >>and I explained family history (maternal grandfather with Parkinson's, >>maternal grandmother and mother both borderline diabetics). >> >>... > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 01:54:05 -0400 >From: Andrew John Conovaloff <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: My First Visit to a Neurologist > >Find the largest neuro-specialty clinic you can and >seek 2nd opinions. > >Your HMO may provide a 1 time referral > > > 0===================================================================0 > | @..@ A.J. CONOVALOFF | > | (----) PSP Support Groups of ARIZONA __o | > | ( >__< ) `\<, | > | ^^ ~~ ^^ [log in to unmask] . . (*)/`(*) | > 0===================================================================0 > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 09:55:15 -0400 >From: Alex Zhang <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Information Needed on Dosage of Drugs > >Dear fellows, > >Can anyone tell me what popular drugs are and how much those dosages shall be >for PDers? I have been on the list for a quite while. It is a great forum. > >My mom suffers a sever PD. She has to have someone beside her all the time for >her daily activities such as eating. She couldn't hold anything even a phone >handler. She is in China. Currently, there isn't many drugs available there >for PDers. I want to buy drugs here and let my mom try them for a period. Can >any one advise me on commonly applicable grugs and dosages? ... > >Appreciate very much for your much needed help. > >alex >[log in to unmask] > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 14:58:42 -0400 >From: [log in to unmask] >Subject: homeopathic helps > >In answer to Barbara Paterson and Rosemary Russell, I have found a wonderful >substance to help with energy/fatigue - it's a natural enzyme called CoQ10 - >you can buy it any healthfood store or through the mail. I just took it by >accident, having read a holistic journal describing this "miracle" substance. >(It has been proven effective agaiinst beast cancer and heart disease) It's >made an amazing difference to me. First of all, it gives me much more energy >(I can now jog 2 miles and U've had PD for 19 years!) It also helped some of >my smptoms = my "offs" weren't so bad, my walking became normal when I was >"on" - i had less bloating in my stomach from permax - and in general, i felt >better and looked better according to my friends. Some of the doctors around >here know there is something to this - a study is being done at Mass. >General. According to my doctor, they know that it helps , but theydon't know >why. I was sent an article from the "Journal of Experimental Neurology" (I >think that's the title) confirming this view on CoQ10 and alsos saying that >if you combine it with nicotinmide, the results are even better. I think >thatis true from my own experience. Another holistic substance I take is >Gingko . It's supposed to help the brain, somehow, and I have found that my >head is much clearer since I've been taking it - I used to have much more >trouble remembering things, following the courseof an argument, etc. but >Ithink it must be the gingkothat 's made the difference. i also to used to >have a problem with anxiety which cme in connection with my sinemet dose. One >of the first signs i had of wearing off was anxiety "pains" in my chest -as >soon as the next dose took effect, anxiety gone. I now take Kava kava (from a >plant in the south seas) which is supposed to relax you and make you feel >good - and I think it does! The anxiety is all gone! Ayway, try these ideas >if you feel like it -and good luck! Anne King ([log in to unmask]) > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 20:36:46 -0400 >From: Richard Thompson <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: My First Visit to a Neurologist > >You wrote: > >>Date: Tue, 9 Apr 1996 12:11:03 -0400 >>From: "Stephen B. Duff" <[log in to unmask]> >>Subject: My First Visit to a Neurologist >> >>Hi all: >> >>Well, visit number one to the neurologist was not very informative. > >Stephen: > >The following is something I wrote to a friend about my diagnostic adventure... > >"My family practice Dr. (PPO/HMO) recorded the symptoms and asked me to come >back in a month. After that month he referred me to a neurologist in >Orlando. The neurologist interviewed me and performed a battery of movement >tests. He then immediately sent me out for a full blood workup and a 3 hour >MRI series. When I reported back to the neuro. the tests had ruled out a >whole bunch of uglies... MS, stroke, arterial sclerosis, Wilson's Disease, >occluded arteries to the brain, etc. That was some comfort, but there was >still no answer. The suggestion was "come back in three months". > >In retrospect, I think the Orlando neuro. was unwilling to make the >diagnosis he suspected. He was frustrated that I couldn't better articulate >my symptoms and I was frustrated with his frustration. After 3 months things >were still slowly getting worse so he suggested I go up to Shands (U of >Florida)in Gainesville. He finally alluded to the possibility of Parkinsons >the last visit I had with him before going to Shands. > >With some idea what to look for I went off on a typical "engineer-type >research project". It didn't take too many books on the subject of >Parkinsons for me to realize I had all the symptoms of Young-onset PD >(Parkinsons Disease). > >I drove the two hours up to Gainesville on a weekday. Dr. Greer's staff >spent about 2 hours interviewing me to prepare a history. Then Dr. Greer >reviewed the history and the results of all the previous tests. After a very >few other movement related tests he made the PD diagnosis in absence of any >other disease explanation. The only fully conclusive way to diagnose PD is >with an autopsy and he and I both agreed that this was probably a little >radical at the present time." > >My prayers go with you. Its a slow, sometimes frustrating process. > >Rich Thompson > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 20:46:49 -0400 >From: Andrew John Conovaloff <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Minority PDs for Research in Arizona > >Minority Parkinsonian's Wanted by Researcher in Arizona >------------------------------------------------------- > >Hans-Leo Teulings studies handwriting at Arizona State >University using a computerized writing surface that >records writing pressure, speed, etc. > >He is a micrographia (small handwriting) specialist who >is looking for parkinsonian's from minority groups. > >If that's you, and you are interested in what he does, >please contact him at: > > [log in to unmask] > > > > 0===================================================================0 > | @..@ A.J. CONOVALOFF | > | (----) PSP Support Groups of ARIZONA __o | > | ( >__< ) `\<, | > | ^^ ~~ ^^ [log in to unmask] . . (*)/`(*) | > 0===================================================================0 > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 21:09:26 -0400 >From: "J.R. Bruman" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: homeopathic helps > >Be careful with kava! It may aggravate your PD! To read about it >look up the following reference: > >Schelosky L et al: J Neur Neurosurg Psych 1995;58:639-640: >Kava, a tranquilizing herbal beverage popular in the South Pacific and >also sold in Europe, seems to aggravate PD symptoms by antagonizing >dopamine and therefore should be avoided by PD patients. (JRB) > >Cheers, Joe > >J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 >3527 Cody Road >Sherman Oaks CA 91403 > > >On Wed, 10 Apr 1996 [log in to unmask] wrote: > >> In answer to Barbara Paterson and Rosemary Russell, I have found a wonderful >> substance to help with energy/fatigue - it's a natural enzyme called CoQ10 - >> you can buy it any healthfood store or through the mail. I just took it by >> accident, having read a holistic journal describing this "miracle" substance. >> (It has been proven effective agaiinst beast cancer and heart disease) It's >> made an amazing difference to me. First of all, it gives me much more energy >> (I can now jog 2 miles and U've had PD for 19 years!) It also helped some of >> my smptoms = my "offs" weren't so bad, my walking became normal when I was >> "on" - i had less bloating in my stomach from permax - and in general, i felt >> better and looked better according to my friends. Some of the doctors around >> here know there is something to this - a study is being done at Mass. >> General. According to my doctor, they know that it helps , but theydon't know >> why. I was sent an article from the "Journal of Experimental Neurology" (I >> think that's the title) confirming this view on CoQ10 and alsos saying that >> if you combine it with nicotinmide, the results are even better. I think >> thatis true from my own experience. Another holistic substance I take is >> Gingko . It's supposed to help the brain, somehow, and I have found that my >> head is much clearer since I've been taking it - I used to have much more >> trouble remembering things, following the courseof an argument, etc. but >> Ithink it must be the gingkothat 's made the difference. i also to used to >> have a problem with anxiety which cme in connection with my sinemet dose. One >> of the first signs i had of wearing off was anxiety "pains" in my chest -as >> soon as the next dose took effect, anxiety gone. I now take Kava kava (from a >> plant in the south seas) which is supposed to relax you and make you feel >> good - and I think it does! The anxiety is all gone! Ayway, try these ideas >> if you feel like it -and good luck! Anne King ([log in to unmask]) >> > >------------------------------ > >End of PARKINSN Digest - 9 Apr 1996 to 10 Apr 1996 >************************************************** > Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D.