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Rick Barrett wrote: > > 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]) Dear Rick, Welcom to thhe List. I am new on it as well and have found a wealth of info and just comfort in being able to "talk" with other PWPD. It is truly a scary thing to face up to this disease. I think I have been in a major denial for 41/2 years now ever since my diagnosis. My meds worked great until the past couple of months and suddenly the wheels came off so to speak. Right now I am facing the decision to continue or stop Parlodel and I have found myself using mega boxes of Kleenes this summer to mop up all my tears. WHat I am learning is that I must keep a sense of humor or I will never make it. It's hard to laugh when your hand won't write and you can't even walk a block wihtout your legs twisting and turning, but we have to somehow. I am finding prayer a big help also. Hang in there. We're all in this together. Marty Rose [log in to unmask]