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Aliza and Gil..... Of the three drugs I've been taking (see copy of my original post, below, for names of drugs), I'm taking them with some trepidation (tho they ARE doing the job) because the urologist didn't go in depth into what each drug individually does... nor did the pharmacist. Both reassured me that it was Ok to take the drugs with PD drugs, and I'm accepting that - again, with trepidation (because I just don't trust ANYONE in the medical/pharmaceudical field completely) The Imipramine is NOT a comfortable drug for me - I've had drowsiness,nausea and headaches, plus a coupla other side effects so am already changing the dosage on my own.... taking it from the afternoon thru the evening so I won't sleep all day. The benefits of the drugs are outweighing my initial doubts and even outweighing the side effects so far. As for the collagen injections into the vocal cords - they're good for 3 to 5 months IF the patient is able to be helped by them. That has to be decided by the physician who performs the procedure (a neck-throat specialist, in my case). The collagen ONLY helps the vocal cords tho, NOT the tongue or muscles around the mouth or other facial muscles. You check the List-Archives (sorry, but I don't have the Web address for the archives) for a copy of Judith Richards original post about the implants into the vocal cords for the complete article. It's dated June 10, 1998, under "Implants That Restore Lost Voice." I suggest you get a copy of that article, if possible, as I've not had the procedure (yet...), and cannot tell you what it's actually like. The article does a good job on that. Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Gil Lieberman <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Friday, October 23, 1998 3:51 AM Subject: Re: Incontinence >Dear Barbara, >I read with much interest your note on incontinence below. >Aliza has similar problems but has resisted up to now taking >suggested medications since she already takes so many. >We would be interested in info on your experiences with the >drugs you mentioned. >In the last month,she has also lost her voice and has difficulty swallowing. >Could you explain the collagin injections and the vocal chord implants? > >Gil Lieberman,CG for Aliza >PS I tried to send this directly to you at the address given,but >my server said it was not valid.So Im sending to trhe list. >-------------------------------------------- >Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 21:24:06 -0700 >From: Barbara Mallut <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: Incontinence > >Charlotte.... > >Funny you should happen to bring up this topic, 'cause while I don't >actually have a complete incontinence problem, I KNOW I must've set a >world's record over the past year or 18 months for urination >frequency. <GROAN> > >It got so I was running to the bathroom every six or eight minutes on >the GOOD days... and as frequently as every 3 to 5 minutes on the bad >ones. And this was going on 24 hours a day! > >It has been HELL! And also an embarrassment.... > >I finally saw a urologist last Wednesday, and he's got me on three >different drugs - Bacterium, which is an antibiotic, Impramine >(generic name), which is a tricyclic antidepressant (weird, 'cause I >already take Paxil, tho this isn't being taken for depression) are >taken once daily before bed, only. Oxybutynin (generic name), an >anticholinergic agent used to treat certain bladder conditions, is >taken three times daily. > >WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES! I can now go for several HOURS >without feeling that sense of urgency! It's SUCH a relief!!! > >The Oxybutynin leaves me totally stoned the first several hours each >day, and I don't like THAT feeling at all! Today, since I was >meeting a friend for dinner, I omitted the mid day pill and was fine >by the time we went out. But there was simply no way I'd have been >able to handle an evening out in someone's company while that drug >was doing it's thing! >YIKES! Talk about a creepy feeling? WHEW! > >The urologist has got me scheduled for a kidney ultrasound and also a >bladder check - up just to be on the safe side, and I'm appreciative >that he's being thorough. As he commented to me, "It's all too easy >blame the PD for everything, even if my complaint of IS a common >problem for those who have Parkinson's. > >Sooo... there's another skirmish fought and won in the war against >PD, at least for NOW, anyway! > >And NEXT thing I plan on having done is to have permanent implants >inserted into my vocal cords by Dr. Gerald Burke at UCLA... just as >soon as my Medicare kicks in. No more collagen injections every few >months! Just my normal speaking voice! YOUSA!! > >By the way, I wouldn't have known about this surgery being available >had Judith Richards not posted an article about it 8 weeks ago. > >THANKS, Judith! <smile> > >Barb Mallut >