Subject: Time: 6:41 PM
New to the List Date: 9/5/96
Hi!
My name is Rick Barrett and I'm new to this list and rather new to PD. In
brief, here is my PD story. I'm 34 years old and about 5 years ago I started
getting some stiffness in my left hand which made handwriting difficult. The
docs at that time treated me for carpel tunnel syndrome. The thought was that
I spent too much time on the computer - but I barely typed two pages a day.
After two years of therapy and and assorted meds I was finally referred to a
neurologist, who after a couple visits made the diagnosis - PD. As I'm sure
all of you experienced, I was devastated. I had personally seen the ravages of
PD on my maternal grandmother. The second opinion confirmed it.
Since that time things have been a real rollercoaster. Some good days - some
bad. The most bothersome thing that seems to have come with PD is what the
docs have termed: "emotional lability" (sp?). I now seem to well up at even a
sappy commercial! Even writing this is difficult. This makes face to face
discussions about highly emotional issues (including PD) a big risk of
embarrassment. Most of the time I can avoid the "triggers" when I recognize
them in time. Once in a while though I have a "tear attack" that I cannot
control. Attending PD group meetings is out of the question. This is why I
think that this forum will be so helpful to me.
Just to put things in perspective - I'm a structural engineer who investigates
disasters for a living. I regularly have to testify regarding my findings and
I am often involved big $ disputes - not the career path for someone with a
thin skin. I'm doing the best that I can. I've had to state during testimony
that I have PD so please do not misinterpret my shaking and twitches for a
lack of conviction regarding my opinions. This approach worked well although I
narrowly avoided the triggers.
The docs have me on Wellbutrin for the "lability" and eldepryl for now. I'm at
the point where I could use some PD relief so we a trying the standard arsenal
of meds - before starting on Sinemet.
So much for brevity! It was helpful just to write this down - sending it
shouldn't hurt too much either. Thanks for letting me unload a bit.
Rick Barrett ([log in to unmask])
