 |
 |
Please note that this msg is forwarded. If you wish to respond privately, please address to [log in to unmask], not to me (Margaret Monty). Thanks. ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- From: [log in to unmask] Date: Sat, 20 Jul 1996 12:19:26 -0400 Subject: Parkinson's syndrome Although I realize my illness is rare, and consequently little (time and money) is spent on researching it, I thought I would let you know about my strange ailment. Eight years ago, on October 31, 1988, I attempted to kill myself by carbon monoxide poisoning. It was not my first suicide attempt. I had overdosed on my father's high blood pressure medication twice before. Each attempt had been aborted before the drugs got into my system. Following the CO poisoning, I was in a coma for four days. When I finally emerged, it was determined that I had incurred damage to the corpus striatum, the part of the basal ganglia that receives dopamine. I wish there were someway I could highlight the word receives, because that, and the fact that my condition is not progressive, is what makes my Parkinsonism atypical. Because I lack any dopamine receptors on the right side of my brain, I have almost relentless bradykinesia on the left side of my body. Sometimes, I think it would be better if I had damaged both sides equally. Then my left side wouldn't have to struggle so much to keep up with my right. Also, I have an almost complete lack of static standing balance, and my voice is very soft and monotonic. Now, I know that I "Asked for this," and after reading the "Letter to God," I should feel badly for the people that are only going to get worse. But Ms. Monty, I was eighteen when this happened, and although I was told that I would see gradual improvement, I haven't seen much in the past six years. I don't want to live the rest of my life like this. I have heard about the neurotrophic factor (drug)? they have been working on developing. I would like to know how much you know about this, and whether they have found a way to regenerate brain cells.