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Murray, What a wise man you are. Your words of advice will surely benefit many more lis members than Virginia. As a new PWP I appreciate the insight of those who have more experience. Thanks again, Claudia Goldberg MURRAY _CHARTERS wrote: > Hi Virginia; > I'm a Parkinsonian who can identify with your letter. I had symptoms > at age 40, was finally diagnosed at age 49 and am 53 now. I too > would like to work until my maximum benefits kick in (at age 60). > > I would like to offer the following to your friend: > > I was not pleased with my first neurologist and tried others until I > was satisfied. I wondered how I would cope and one understanding > dr. advised me that in fact I had already been coping with all my > symptoms for more than a few years. This single conversation gave > me a different perspective and started me managing my Parkinson's > myself instead of looking for others to provide all the answers. > > Parkinson's sneaks in slowly and even though you receive a diagnosis > and suddenly "have Parkinson's" it is just a name to apply to all > your symptoms. Nothing has really changed. Sure your Parkinson's > will eventually progress and of course you will have changes and > adaptations to make but it's not like a heart attack or stroke where > immediate intervention and changes are essential to life itself. > > This means you do have some time to consider and manage these > changes. I work in one of the building trades. I am an elevator / > escalator mechanic. It took a few months for me to decide to tell > people or not tell people. Then I started with all of my family, the > union, my employer, friends, neighbors, and so on. Everyone was > supportive. I still work and I'm relieved that I am not hiding. > > It is very important to find out everything you can about Parkinson's > because you will soon discover we are each unique individuals and > since you will only be seeing your neurologist once in a while you > will need to become the expert on your own case. This expertise will > allow you to manage your PD. and make the vital decisions facing you > with a level of confidence. > > I didn't think I needed a support group but was talked into going to > the Early Onset Group locally to see what it was like. I soon > realized what a nice bunch of people most Parkinsonians are. They > all had something to offer and I realized I did too. I learned from > their experiences; from education meetings; from volunteering for > clinical studies in the Movement Disorder Clinic; from books; the > Internet; and now from this "List". > > My best advice is that keeping busy and keeping a positive attitude > is better than all the drugs known to mankind. Yes, you will need > some drugs too.....but be informed enough to decide yourself (in > consultation with your professional medical practitioner of course) > when to start a regimen of drugs. Be informed and alert to any drug > related positives and negatives and/or side effects so you will be > able to consult and have a role in adjusting medication to suit you! > > Be prepared whenever you meet with your dr. Make a list of your > feelings and your questions and participate actively. Don't leave > until you are satisfied you understand and agree with your > treatment. > > I hope this is of some assistance. > > If you need to ask.... anything goes on this List and someone of us > will surely respond. > > I wish the best for your friends. Murray > . > [log in to unmask]