------ =_NextPart_000_01BBA557.60099880 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello Ernie, I recognize many of the symptoms you describe. The only difference with = you is that I stopped all medication 6 months ago. My problem is that = since I was diagnosed PD, I can hardly write, with no moments of = 'better' writing at all. My writing is in block-letters, whereas my signature is not. My = signature, now, is the only thing I sometimes manage to place as if I = have no impediments at all.=20 When I confronted my specialist with this phenomenon, he told me that = writing block-letters actually means: start writing, stop writing, start = writing, etc...: the classical PD prerogative.=20 I also noticed that when the moment comes nearer I have to place my = signature , my anxiousness of failing increases; thus making it almost = impossible to=20 place my signature. This is sustained by the notion that after a couple of drinks I care = less and consequently perform better in placing my signature. This seems to imply that part of the success is in the mind, at least = with me. For the rest I can tell you that the most embarrassing thing of my PD is = the inability to write. I prefer to tell people I have a tennis-arm = rather than telling them I have PD. Reason is that almost everybody = knows (or thinks to know) what a tennis-arm is but almost nobody knows = why PD should affect your handwriting. And when there is a queue behind = you, I'm not volunteering in giving a lecture on PD.=20 I've scanned into the computer my signature (from the good old days), so = I can write letters, send faxes using my digital signature. I'm also = thinking of making a name-stamp of my signature so I can in public = underwrite forms and bills. I only wonder if it is a legal replacement = in documents like passports and driving licenses. I hope this helps a little in understanding your own predicament. Regards and all the best, =20 Jan Rolff ---------- From: Ernie Peters[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 1996 19:46 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Does anyone have these symptoms? Hi Folks, I am having a frustrating period and wondered if anyone has experienced similar symptoms to mine. ---- snip ---- 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. ---- snip ---- 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]) ------ =_NextPart_000_01BBA557.60099880--