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Hello to all!

Hope you had a great Labor day, filled with non-labor activities.:)  Many of
you may remember me.  I wrote my introduction a few weeks ago and told you
all about my wonderful Dad (68/2mo.), who lives in Milwaukee and was
recently diagnosed with PD.  Well, a few things have happened since, so I
thought I'd give you an update and ask you for more information & advice.

Dad has had 2 visits with his PD specialist at St. Joseph's in Milwaukee,
Dr. Nausieda.

 - 1st visit:  Major blood work, movement & writing tests, quality time
talking w/he & mom (1hour!).  Because Dad's primary symptom is tremor (rt.
hand) and very slight internal body tremor, the Dr. told Dad he felt his
prognosis was very good!  What he meant is that Dad would not experience the
common PD symptoms like rigidity for a long time.  I guess, in the Dr.'s
experience, people with only tremor symptoms do not go down hill as fast as
people who initially experience slowness, rigidity, etc...  *What do you all
think of his analysis?*  Those of you who initially had only hand tremor,
have you had slow progression of symptoms?  He's still taking Eldepryl -
5mg/day.

Also, Dr. put Dad on an anti-anxiety/anti-depression drug (don't remember
which one) to control the internal body tremors.  He felt Dad's int. tremor
was not a PD symptom but caused by anxiety.  Dad took the drug and for a few
days did feel less internal tremor,.....then the proble!.  The side effect
of this drug for Dad was that his hand tremor increased dramatically!  (I
guess it's a rare side-effect). Also, we were not comfortable with the
statement on the drug that said it should not be taken with MAO-inhibitors
(Eldepryl is one).  Dr. told Dad not to be concerned, that he's had many
patients on both.  Nonetheless, the increase in tremor was too much and Dad
stopped the anxiety drug.

 -2nd visit (today).  Blood work great. Dad wants relief for his hand tremor.
 It's really bothering him.  Dr. prescribed Amantadine.  Starting with
100mg/day and moving up to 200mg/day.    I would appreciate any input from
you all about your personal experiences with the drug, good or bad, and
anything you think we should watch out for.  Dad's hoping and praying this
will help his tremor with *minimal side-effects*!

That's all for now.  Thanks in advance for your help!  I'm so happy to have
found you!

Regards from Boston, Massachusetts,
Kristin Delfeld ([log in to unmask])