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Being that this is the first time I have replied to anything, I guess that I should introduce myself. I'm Bethany Johnson and my mother has been diagnosed with Parkinson's for almost 6 years now. In the past two her symptoms have gotten severely worse and I'm trying to find out as much about PD as I possibly can. But I have several questions I'd like to ask of anyone who might be able to help. Is there any other walking disorder associated with PD, other than OPCD? My mother is always almost doubled over and it's hard for us to even get her to use the walking stick she has. She frequently (I'd say about 4-5 times a day) falls down for no particular reason. Sometimes she says it's because she was trying to turn around and others she just seems to freeze up and lose her balance. We take her to a chiropractor three times a week, and she has different packets of exercises she can do and instructions from the chiropractor, but she seems to simply refuse to do them. I'm wondering if there's any way to get her to even try a few simple ones. I've heard of people who have done exercises on a regular basis and have straightened up, and I think she could if she would only give them a chance. We have also been recommended to try to take her to a physical therapist. Does anyone know if that helps at all? Thanks. Bethany _________________________________________________________________________ On Sat, 15 Jun 1996 [log in to unmask] wrote: > Olivopontocerebellar degeneration: An uncommon disorder in which patients > have difficulty with balance and walking, often called ataxia. The patients > may have an action or postural tremor, but do not have rigidity or > bradykinesia. The disorder results from a deterioration of certain > structures in the nervous system, including the cerebellum, the pons (a part > of the brainstem), and the olive (a part of the brainstem). This condition > does not respond to anti-Parkinson drugs. MRI is helpful in diagnosis. > > The above is from "Parkinson's Disease, The Complete Guide for Patients and > Caregivers", Abraham Lieberman, MD et al. > > OPCD is but one of a number of diseases known as Parkinson's Plus. They are > nornally defined as atypical Parkinson's disease because they have symptoms > that are much like PD. There is usually something that keeps the neurologist > from calling it PD. One test is the lack of response to levodopa. > > This is not a childhood disease that is cureable as referenced in a message > earlier. This should be taken seriously. > > Regards, > Alan Bonander >