Gina... It sounds like you got lucky in this new MD! After what you've been thru in the past few months, you NEEDED an aggressive physician to get on the ball and find the cause of what's been ailing ya (besides the PD). For some reason, the ratio of Parkies with diabetes (or diabetics with Parkinson's?) <which came first, the chicken or the egg?) <smile> is noted as being rather high, so at least you're experiencing a somewhat "normal" abnormality... and one that's treatable, if not curable. Please keep us posted on the MD's findings, 'cause we care about you! Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] ---------- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Gina Cass Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 1998 7:22 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Re: What is New in My PD Neighborhood Dear PD List: I had an appointment with an Internist today. Nice doctor. Not a buddy, but that is OK, not supposed to be. I am defiantly diabetic and will be attending classes for such in the coming week. Diet, nutrition, meds, exercise, caring for myself and my feet (haha) and that took about 10 minutes. After the attention was turned to the lovely legs, soon to be entered in lovely legs contest. As I was sitting on the examining table, as he soon had me lie down, he began to push on the flesh of my legs. A little painful but compared to what has been going on, I'll take it. He thoroughly believes this a med conflict. But is not altogether sure which ones. The problem being the capillaries in my legs apparently gorged more blood into my legs then they could get rid of. Little by little the blood is making it's trip back but it is not having much luck so he has ordered a "Vascular Doppler" Test (I think) with this test (I do know) it will show how the vein, arteries are handling the trip back. Not well, he suspects. If not, the first thing that they will try will be "Compression Stockings." This way the blood will be forced to go back up. We did not discuss time frame in this or if this like the meds and diabetes would be on going. He needs to talk to my Psychiatrist about the Lithium as I have never had any problems with it and I as well as he are reluctant to pitch it out right away. But he did say, he was going to call all the Doctors involved and have a conference call to see if he could get everyone speaking, so this won't happen again. I am fortunate as he deals heavily with Diabetic people, his stock and trade. But I feel more confident then I have in a while. Although I am very tired of trying to believe in a doctor and coming away with a bloody nose. From now on I will research what is happening and take my part in the Conference calls from this point out. I am putting this here because a few others had feet and leg problems. Don't wait like I did, jump in there and get it sorted out. Don't go through 4 months of this crap believing that the medical people are all wonderful and good. They are not. Some let their reputations speak for them. I too, am going to let their reputations speak for them about my situation. Thanks for caring for those of you who do. You were the driving force behind the search. My hat is off to you all. TTFN Gina