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He Debbie, I think your correct in thinking you should look for a new neurologist for you mom. One of the things we've learned in dealing with physicians, and even neurologists, that there are many who do not really understand PD. An essential tremor is different from a resting tremor which is what you usually see with PD. Quoting from a book we have on PD, "Tremor occurs in many conditions. One which is sometimes confused with Parkinson's disease is "benign essential tremor. Generally the tremor of this condition differs from that of Parkinson's disease in that it occurs not at rest but when the arms are held out-stretched for a moment as when reaching for the handle of a teacup." I was also very shocked that your mom's neurologist indicated there would be no degeneration with PD. Maybe you should hook him up with our listserver and let him eavesdrop for a day or two. We would all wish that what he says is true, but for the majority of those who have PD, the progression is definitely degenerative. Hope this information has helped. Continue to ask, and if we have the answers, we'll share them. Blessings to you and your mom both. She is fortunate to have such a loving daughter. Bev c/g; Murph 56/7 On Fri, 19 Jun 1998 16:41:58 -0500 "Jennings-Siena, Debbie" <[log in to unmask]> writes: >Hi everyone, >I am a new member of this listserver, my mom has recently been >diagnosed as >having Parkinson's Disease. I have been watching and reading quite a >few >messages and am making copies for her, since she does not have a >computer. > >When Mom was first diagnosed, her neurologist told her that she was >lucky >and that Parkinson's was the best disease to have and that it would >not >shorten her life in anyway and that she should be just fine, no >degeneration >of any type. Mom is 58 years old. She is taking Sinemet and was >doing >remarkable well until a couple of weeks ago, when she developed what >the >Neurologist described as "Essential Tremor". She was having a hard >time >with it and then the medicine finally kicked in and she is doing much >better. Mom is still working full time although since her episode, >she will >only be going back part time for awhile. > >My questions are: > >How can you distinguish between "Essential Tremor" and "Parkinson >Tremor"? > >I seem to read quite a few message about depression and Parkinson's. >My Mom >was taking Xantac for her nerves, however, the neurologist says that >she >doesn't need any thing like that. > >It seems that from what I am hearing that maybe Mom should be looking >for a >new Neurologist, >one who seems to understand that Parkinson's is not so great and that >it >does progress at least in some cases. Does anyone agree with this? > >Mom lives in the West Texas area where rattlesnakes are plentiful >but good >Dr.s are not. > >Also does anyone have any information about any support groups in the >Greater West Texas Area? Mom lives in San Angelo, Texas. > >I apologize for going on like this but thanks for any help that you >can >give. > >Debbie Jennings-Siena >