Phil and Brian, I had an MRI about a year ago. When I saw where I was going to end up I closed my eyes immediately. Throughout the procedure my eyes wanted to open, but I forced them shut and imagined I was in a bigger -- much bigger -- place. I'm sure lots of people on this list have had an MRI and might have better suggestions. Also, my mother had an MRI but it was an open one. Is this a possibility? Good luck. Debbie White [log in to unmask] > Phil > Does the Valium stop the claustraphobia during the MRI. I went in for an > MRI last week and only lasted about 60 seconds. I'm scheduled to go > back next week with Valium this time. > I also have weekness in my right side, so I guess the MRI will give the > doctor > more information. > Brian > > On Mon, 7 Jul 1997 21:23:41 -0400 Phil Gesotti <[log in to unmask]> > writes: > >Well I just passed my one year diagnosis anniversary. I also had my > >first visit with my new neuro (my last one informed me last month that > >he was leaving the area). My new neuro is also a MD specialist but > >seems to be more informed. It is about a 45 minute drive to her office > >with no traffic, but this seems a small investment in time relative to > >the time I plan to live with the disease. > > > >Her treatment philosophy is different from my previous neuro and she > >informed me that she was not happy with my 4 per day 25/100 Sinemet > >dosage. She is from the 'Don't treat with Sinemet early' club so it > >appears we will be experimenting with some new med combinations. She > >also informed me that I would be starting a regular 30 minute a day > >exercise program. Goody! Goody! > > > >My sarcasm aside, I really like her. She seems interested in PD and in > >treating me. In addition, she is very personable with good bedside > >manner. Funny how things can work out. > > > >I do have a couple of questions for the list. She is adding Permax to > >my Sinemet. I'd like to hear about list member experiences with the > >drug especially in early onset members. > > > >Also, I get to take another trip with Prince Vallium for an MRI on my > >neck. Anyone know what she is looking for? She wasn't specific, but > >indicated that disorders of the spinal column can sometimes mimick PD > >symptoms. > > > >Another point she made was that I have signs of weakness in the side > >affected by PD. She indicated this wasn't normal in early onset. Any > >comments? > > > >Phil Gesotti 47/1+ [log in to unmask] > > > >P.S. She had a really good physicians handbook on PD. I was reading it > >while waiting in her office. She told me it was a good book to which I > >responded that I had copied down the ISBN. > >She asked me why. "Was I an M.D.?" She told me that she had much > >better books that a patient could understand. Slam! > > > >Anyway, the book was actually good reading for tekies. It had a good > >block diagram showing control paths in the basil ganglia, > >neurotransmitters and plus and minus signs for neurotransmitter > >interaction. Funny how sensitive M.D.s can be sometimes. > >