 |
 |
I am 73, diagnosed PWP almost four years ago. My father died at age 83 in l982 from complications of adult onset DIABETES and stroke. My maternal grandfather had what I believe to have been PD and died when I was about 6 years old. All I have been able to determine is that he was said to have "Creeping Palsy". Three of us of his grandchildren have had Parkinsons Disease. A first cousin died of it two weeks ago at age 80+. I don't know of other illnesses. My brother, an adult- onset diabetic and Parkinson patient, died in September, '96 at age 69. He suffered from a painfully chronic back condition almost constantly since a fall during WW2 and took an unbelievable amount of pain medications over the years (including demarol during treatment with Sinemet and until the end) and was diagnosed with both PD and diabetes less than ten years ago (I'm not sure exactly when). Personally, I have been treated with thyroid extract and recently changed to synthroid since my thirties for hypothyroidism, since my forties with various drugs for hypertension and with sinemet and eldepryl for Pd for the past 3-l/2 years. I take at the present time two sinemet CR 50/200 and one eldepryl daily. I found that by halving the sinement and taking l/2 upon rising in the morning (with eldepryl), and l/2 at lunch, dinner and bedtime, instead of one whole one morning and evening, I get smoother results. Due to increasing symptoms, my neuro prescribed Pemax two months ago, but due to side effects I stopped taking it and look forward to release of new medicine, hopefully soon. In addition, I have been cautioned by my GP that I could possibly be pre-diabetic. I appreciate PARKINSONS DIGEST and its contributors and have learned much from it. Thanks to who all who participate. Ruth