Ernie Peters wrote: > > Hi Folks, > > I am having a frustrating period and wondered if anyone has experienced > similar symptoms to mine. > > Quick reminder of my history: Diagnosed 2 yrs 9 mths ago after sudden onset > of right arm shaking on reaching out for phone etc, balance slightly > affected (a bit like drinking a strong beer on an empty stomach), noticed I > was carrying right arm bent bent almost as if in an invisible loose sling. > Condition rapidly worsened over 4 months then came under control with > Eldepryl 10mg/day and Sinemet CR taken one in morning and one in evening and > retirement from work. The period till end of Feb this year was really pretty > good, not much I could not do. > > At end Feb this year following the adverse medical report on Eldepryl > neurologist suggested I come off Eldepryl. He, "Doubted that I would notice > any difference". Well at first I did not, but gradually noticed longish > slow periods in the middle of the day. The Neurologist did not examine me > this time because there was nothing much I could not do and at the time felt > pretty good. He did examine me on the previous occasion and suggested that > I could always take a half sinemet CR at midday as perhaps I was slightly > under dosed. I did not bother because I did not want to take more than > necessary and was managing well. However, bearing his suggestion in mind, I > started taking a half Sinemet CR at midday from mid April this Year. > > This increase seemed to fill the gap for quite a while but in the last month > am having trouble with my writing and finding a Sinemet CR seems to fade > sometimes after about 4 hours. With the middle of the day being the problem > area I increased my midday dose to a full Sinemet CR from 3 days ago. The > last 3 days have been pretty good walking up hills, driving, typing and > playing a reasonable game of boules (a game where competitors throw a > heavyish tennis sized ball 20-40 ft and try to be closest to a target ball). > > Now here is the part that prompted the title and on which I would be > grateful for your comments and experiences because it is really getting to > me. I can hardly write AT ALL when really "off" and struggle like mad to > get one signature on paper. The actual writing is VERY tiny and painfully > slow to perform. But, at the same "off" time I can throw and catch a ball, > handle a cup and saucer and even swing a golf club and connect properly with > the ball. All these last examples can be carried out in a way that would > not suggest I had a problem to an onlooker or even myself. > > In fact, to digress slightly, a couple of weeks ago I asked a post office > counter clerk to help me with 3 lines of an address on a form (explaining > that I had a hand disability) and received a reply of, "Can you ask someone > else to help you because there is a queue". (Three people) I went out to the > car park had my wife complete it and went back to complain. I explained it > was embarassing enough having such a problem without looking to a queue of > strangers for help, talk about privacy? Anyway the reason for this > digression is that I was told by the counter staff that, "Sorry, but you did > not LOOK as if you had anything wrong with you". Goodness, what does one > have to look like, Quasimodo? > > I have just come "on" while typing this but it is 3h 25mins since the midday > Sinemet. I have been taking it a couple of mins before eating but will now > try 30mins pre meal as I do in the morning. > > Just one more thing, and apologies if I bore you. This morning the postman > came early with a parcel. I woke from deep sleep, cancelled our touch pad > burglar alarm, rushed down stairs, worked all the bolts and found the right > keys on the key bunch,and, after coming back upstairs with heart still > pounding filled a sheet of paper with firm strong writing. This is 14hrs > since the last tablet. Strange? Or do others find the same? > > I know I can manage without writing but it is because the other movements > are OK that I get so frustrated when I am brought up short unable to write. > I am starting to worry about presenting my Visa card now! > > To those of you who patiently read what I actually intended to be a fairly > short request for confirmation that others also had this problem thanks, it > seems to have relieved me just relating this, but I would really be > interested in other people's experiences concerning the matter of being able > to do most things except WRITE. All for now. > > Ernie. > > Ernie Peters ([log in to unmask]) Ernie, The problem you experience with the handwriting getting very tiny is called micrographia. I have it too, and except for signing my name, I practically don't write; thank God for computers. As with you, I remain able to do most things (climb a nearby mountain and fly-fish, albeit in sort of a herky-jerky manner at times) and still work full-time (as executive director of the State Bar of Montana). BTW, I've tried a number of things to improve my writing. I went to a physical/occupational therapist, experimented with different writing instruments, etc. but to no avail. The one thing I've found that can provide temporary relief is to raise my arms above my head--that seems to break the spell briefly. George L. Bousliman Helena, Montana USA (age 55; PD diagnosed in 1987)