Barb, I guess joining the internet is kind of like starting a book in the middle. I certainly missed some vital facts. I do have a friend that is battling to keep her social security after deep brain stimulation which improved her distonia and tremors but left her with a severe speech problem. So I will be interested in your progress and I have a multitude of stories of my own to be told in my unwritten book. Anyway, that didn't answer your question about nerve and muscle damage. I have nerve damage in my right leg that has caused atrophy in my ankle. My DR. doesn't know if it is Parkinson's related it is just one more thing that is part of the total picture. Looking forward to meeting next month. Usually sleep like a baby since my DBS surgery but went out with friends and ate too much too late. --burp-- plus we are babysitting our daughters dog that is extremely shy and about bed time this huge German shepard had to go----- I let him out and he won't come back in. I"ll get him some how!! [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]