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Hi there, Meg >My father was diagnosed as >having many Parkinson's symptoms and is now on medication (Requip). >His hands shake, he has strange sensations in his legs and just >doesn't feel as sharp and well as he used to feel. He is 73 now >and has had symptoms increasing over about 5 years. He's not doing so badly then :-) I've had similar troubles since I was 48, and I'm 60 now. I'm lucky. It could be so much worse! > My Dad will >be seeing the neurologist for a checkup later this week. My name >is Meg. I seem to be a family resource on digging up medical info >due to our computer and science background in biology. Plus this is >my way of finding control and trying to help. Good policy, that. If you can, get your Dad involved in the search for info. It's a major kick in the guts to be diagnosed with PD (or any progressive disease, I guess) and we all need the opportunity to regain our self-image. >My Dad asked me last night, if I could help him >find out if his metal dental caps could be related to the start of >his Parkinson's. It certainly COULD be, but no one actually knows what triggers it off. We all have our pet theories. >Coincidentally it was 5 years ago that he started to get the >weird leg sensations and his hands started to shake. ... >diagnosis, but say over 95% chance it is Parkinson's. Reading on >possible futures has really taken the wind out of my Dad's sails. It's a real trade-off, that: read a medical dictionary, and feel worse, or don't read it, and be fearful due to ignorance! ... > My Dad wonders if there is a >connection with chemical exposure, plus is just flat scared of his >future. I can relate to THAT! Activity and being useful are great antidotes! > My Dad has always taken great care of himself and is in good >shape (weight, exercising). Keep him at it then. > ... >Additional question: >I know that there is a question unspoken much in the family. >Is there any link to PD being inherited? No! Or rather, not directly! It is felt that there may be a genetic predisposition to "catching" PD, but direct inheritance seems to be unlikely. >I am starting a search on info. My Dad has gotten a computer too >and is getting on-line. We are helping him get going. He says that >things overwhelm him a bit and he also just gets depressed trying >to take in the possible facts. I was flattered that he asked me >to help him and hope that I can. Love and belonging, and being needed are an enormous help - probably as much to you as to him. BE THERE for each other, and you'll beat the world! Good luck. -- Jeremy Browne - [log in to unmask] Hampshire, UK