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Thanks for the advice, Dale! Actually, I'm debating whether to not take my meds prior to the SSDI hearing (in which case, I'll be stiff as a board with horrible toe and leg cramping) or to take MORE than my usual dose of meds and be real dyskenesic at the hearing. I'll get rigid if I don't take ANY meds, and PD-rigidity and all the subtle and miserably uncomfortable symptoms that come along with MY brand of rigidity, many PD symptoms are mostly INTERNAL and much less obvious to the uninitiated (i.e., the judge) then a wildly dyskenesic and/or dystonic Parkie (which I'd be if I took my usual meds plus a coupla extra Sinemet prior to the hearing.). Tough call on which would make the strongest impression on the judge. Either way, I know I'm sure gonna feel rotten by the end of that hearing!!! Oh.... and I put off getting the collagen injections into my vocal cords this time 'round so my "normal" Parkies voice is what the judge is gonna hear (Judge ---> "What? WHAT? I can't HEAR you! SPEAK UP!" Barb ---> I *AM* "speaking up, as best I can!") <groan> She'll hear it, that is, if she sit's right next to me, and listens VERY carefully! And it wouldn't hurt if she can lip read, and maybe also MIND read, 'cause not only does my voice become extremely soft and faint, but I also end up "swallowing" the ends of sentences because I run out of breath as I speak and words get "lost" as I try to articulate. WAAAAAA! I miss my collagen injections! (What, WHAT? We can't hear ya, Barb. Speak up!) And HEY - if my SSDI hearing was held after 2 or 3 p.m. the judge'd not only have to contend with my wee little PD-voice, but would ALSO be confronted with Parkie-mush-mouth-speak, as well as Parkie "brain fog." Barb Mallut (in "brain-fog-mode" today) [log in to unmask] ---------- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Dale Severance Sent: Friday, August 28, 1998 3:19 AM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Advice for Social Security hearings by Dale Severance Hi Barb: As one who represented clients before the SSA I Have one key piece of advice if you are making your disability claim. Do not take your medicines before going to the hearing. Let a friend take you and let your physical condition without medicine speak for you. Good luck. Dale Severance