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Janet Paterson wrote: > > Hi Wendy; > > In a message dated 1998/09/11 12:33:55, you write: > << > Funny, altho' looking back now, I know that my pd symptoms began at least > two years before my formal diagnosis. If this ten year rule is true, then > my pd actually did begin at the time of my severe reaction to Compazine, > which was about 8-9 years prior to my diagnosis. > >> > > I don't know if there is a 'ten year rule' as such, but I was told by my neuro > at my diagnosis, in describing the death of cells in the substantia nigra, > that the dopamine producing cells can be depleted by as much as 80 percent > before symptoms start to be felt. [My reaction to this news was 'yikes'.] > > Since most of us have felt symptoms for years prior to diagnosis, a case could > be made for an 'educated guess / estimate' of PD's onset at ten years before > diagnosis in many cases. The statistics generally used give 57 as the median > age of PD diagnosis. > > The key here, to me, is that 57 [for PD diagnosis] or 47 [for PD onset], > whichever figure is used, is the median age [i.e. the average age ] of either > event. > > Which can be interpreted to mean that fully half of all Parkies are under 47 > at onset and under 57 at diagnosis. > > Which is quite a different picture from the Parkie stereotype. > > Which is another reason why I tell anyone and everyone about my PD every > chance I get. > > Which is another way I make use of my symptoms. To;Janet for what it's worth. My story begins in 1995,at which time I was seen by my Primay care physician on a tremor or severe shaking of my left leg while driving around to call upon my accouts. After putting up wirh it for a few months,I decided to get a definitive answer.I had a head MRI which showed no tumors and an EEG that showed non-specific higher voltage theta.Here I will quote the neuro from his letter of Aug 28 1995 "therewas a mild sustention tremor in the upper extremities, accompanied by a mild head titubation and therewas a more prounced coarse tremor involvig his lower left extremity.Thee was no evidence ofother Parkinsonian features on examination at this point in time. Impression is that of a movement disorder with tremor and deterioration of handwriting.While this may represent very early Parkinson's disease there are no other corresponding finding at this point to make the diagnosis clincally. One mightbe dealing with an atypical form of essential tremor.A lengthy discusion wass held with the patient and at thiis point in time it is elected to increase his Kloopin to 0.5m at 6am 12 noon and 6.oo pm" On Sept 21 I saw him again to follow up on my previous visit.The Konopin helped the leg tremors but the side effects were intolerable.They were lethargy,dizziness,imbalance and lack of energy.So off the klonopin and on to Mysoline.About a month later this neuro left his private practice to go to some hospital,in upper NY State to take a staff position of some type.He repeats his previous diagnosis as no signs of PD.To shorten this eport I saw a neuro at the Robrt Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Brunswick on April 11 1996. That was when I was diagnosed as a PWP.I only went there once.My follow up appoitment which was set for August was rescheduled for sometime in December.So my CG Lorraine my wife of 38 years called a local reffering serviice amd asked for a doctor who specialises in P.D.Well we do go on sometimes.I hope it helps.Craig 60/2 > > Janet > 51/10 > [log in to unmask]