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Hello,
My name is Leila .I have watched this list on and off for the past 1.5 yr
first lurking & then joining and learned a lot, laughed with, and felt a lot
of compassion for the trials and tribulations of the members. I am
Venezuelan (French-Belgian mother) now US citizen, 54 and suspected Parkie
for 7 years. The first apparent signs were in late '89 with sharp
'permanent' left shoulder pain and very intermittent light tremor on left
hand. Also hot 'spots' on front and inside of both lower legs. MRI and
several other tests were done, looking for pinched nerves and what not. At
one point a doctor said I probably had some disease from "where you come
from" (as I recall, something to do w/ a worm...) While conducting those
tests, a hyperthyroid condition was discovered and has been stabilized with
synthroid. The neurologist has kept track of the slow process where now
there is more tremor in left hand and some in left foot and I do not swing
my left arm very much when I walk. No more pain in shoulder.  He has given
me Eldepryl 2 x day for the past 6 years.  (I also take 2000iu vit E, and
1000iu C)   I am quite active physically - the building where I work has a
gym w/ an excellent trainer, so I weight-train hard twice a week.  I did
this for 10 mos and whenever I come back to the US.
 I am also here in the US temporarily (Dec. to Feb) since I am in the
process of sailing around the world with my partner.  We planned this for 10
years and finally "did it": departed, sold most possessions etc. in April
1993. We have been through the Virgin Islands, Panama Canal, Galapagos,
Marquesas, French Polynesia, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia,
and now Australia. We will be starting out again with the sailing season in
April, and continue to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka,
Oman, Yemen, Red Sea, and end up in Cyprus in april 1998.  There is quite a
lot of physical activity, especially when in ports, and while I notice I
might do a few thing slower (precise finger movements involving left hand) I
also know that my mental attitude has drastically changed from the fast high
pressure pace to the "island way, manana, laid back"... so I consciously
have slowed down and enjoy it more. Low pressure & low stress definitely
reduce 'shaking" - so does temperature the colder it gets the more I am
prone to shake. By the way, I never shake when I go to bed. I have never
seen someone on list mentioning this.

This was a long intro to the point I wanted to make known to all of you:
This morning I picked up my Deprenyl prescription at a local large chain
pharmacy (Giant)and fully expected the drug info. profile to give a warning
about Demerol use(at a minimum).  No such warning appeared and after calling
the pharmacist who said they got their printouts from a database ( he did
not seem overly interested in my concern) I called Sommerset Pharmaceuticals
1-800-892-8889 who were very interested and were going to find out more
about the matter as I gave them name , tel & fax of my pharmacy.
Has anyone seen a warning with their prescription?

JUst a few thoughts on closing:  thank you all for all the tremendous
efforts of support, information, activism, humour and chenanigans  (Jao: =
locuras).  You are all wonderful people and I hope to be able to contribute
to the group.