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Bob Gilbert wrote: > > Howdy all! Just got my diagnosis on April 1 (quite an April Fool's joke, > eh?), and I'm scurrying as quickly as I can to gather info on what to do and > what to expect. I'm a 51 y/o, single male in good health (except for that > extra 15 pounds I continue to not lose! <g>). As I'm sure you know, I'm > going through all of the predictable emotional swings as I deal with this > reality. I'm trying to find that spot between surrender and denial that will > help me navigate the waters ahead, whatever they have in store. > > My challenge right now is to determine whether I should commence medication, > and, if so, which ones to take. My symptoms so far are rigidity in my right > hand and arm (I'm doing a pretty good job of hunt and peck, eh?), and a bit > of numbness in my lower right leg. As you might suspect I'm right-handed. I > am beginning to have trouble with buttoning things, etc., and I have long > since lost my ability to write well. As of now, I am not experiencing > tremors. > > I've done lots of reading about the relative effectiveness and the > longer-term complications of certain drugs, especially levodopa, and am > convinced there's no absolutely right choice. But I'd appreciate any counsel > you might offer regarding: > 1. Should I start drugs now or wait until it's absolutely necessary? > 2. What should I look for in a neurologist to ensure I'm getting the best > advice? > 3. Do CoQ/Antioxidant capsules break the blood-brain barrier? Dose? > 4. What about any clinical trials? Will I be ruled out if I start drugs > now? > > I could go on, but I'm sure you know my primary needs right now. Thanks so > much for being what I observe as a quite upbeat and helpful resource. > > Bob WELCOME BOB: Welcome to the list. My condolences and congratulations. My condolences for your need to join "the club" of PWP (people with Parkinson's) and my congratulations for your quick action and incredibly good questions showing the desire to face this thing head on and not roll over and play dead. I suggest you find a local Parkinson's support group. I waited several years after my diagnosis and I think it was a mistake. Where are you located? Someone of the 1600 of us should know of a group in your area. Regarding finding a neurologist I suggest first you be evaluated by a movement disorders specialist. There are variations of PD and PD look-alike diseases. If you have the evaluation through a research center they can give you advise about experimental protocols as well as their latest views on when and what meds to start with and as you have indicated if there is a study going on regarding newly diagnosed patients you may help settle the controversy by participating- thereby helping others in future years. For ongoing care I suggest that if you don't live in a large urban area with easy access to a movement disorders center, that you form a relationship with a local neurologist who comes highly recommended by medical professionals that you know for a good knowledge of PD and who is also recommended by people in your local support group as someone that communicates well with his/her patients and is easy to talk to. You then might go to the Movement Disorders clinic- with your local doctor's knowledge and cooperation so that you might have the benefit of their knowledge of the latest knowledge of research which a general neurologist could not hope to keep up with. Regarding CoQ I know nothing about it. Antioxidants like Vit E are reputed to have some effect in reducing the speed of progression of PD. I suggest that you discuss this with the PD specialist in terms of the latest research and his/her recommendations. Again welcome and good luck. -- ********************************************************** CHARLES T. MEYER, M.D. MADISON, WISCONSIN [log in to unmask] **********************************************************