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Charlie, no exposure that i can think of to Carbon Monoxide that was at all
memorable.  Thanks for thinking!

Phil,  i do not believe i could possibly have  ALS at this point,  and i
don't seem to fit this OPCA either, but SNG seems a possibility.

We may have made some headway in getting responsible neuro care, although
we have to go to MD to get it.  With the help of the oncologist husband of a
cousin in OR, my wife got me an appt at Johns Hopkins in mid-July -
provided i get them all my medical  records beforehand [something the bozos
@ Rbt Wood Johnson have so far been unwilling to do!]

Odd, i suppose, to be "hoping"  for a diagnosis of PD..............

--- Original Message -----
From: Phil Tompkins <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 1999 9:14 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: Re: PET Scans-advice requested


> BRUCE,
>
> Were you checked for SNG, OPCA, ALS? I hope you don't have one of
> these. They sound really grim.  May you have strength.
>
> Best wishes,
> Phil Tompkins
>
> From:
> http://www.healthguide.com/english/brain/pd/otherillv.htm
> (Johns Hopkins)
>
> Striatonigral Degeneration.  Mimics PD in that bradykinesia and
> rigidity are common symptoms. Resting tremor may also be present. The
> disorder affects both sides of the body at the same time. Early signs
> of the disorder are increased tendency to fall and problems with
> speech and swallowing. (no responsse to levodopa - dr. lieberman's
> book)
>
> Olivopontocerebellar Degeneration.  People who suffer from this
> disorder have problems with their ability to walk and to maintain
> their balance. Tremors may be present but the bradykinesia and
> rigidity seen in PD are not. The disorder is rare and does not respond
> to anti-parkinson medications.
>
> From:
> http://www.ninds.nih.gov/HEALINFO/DISORDER/opca/OPCA.HTM
>
> DESCRIPTION: Olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) refers to a group of
> ataxias characterized by progressive neurological degeneration
> affecting the cerebellum, the pons and the inferior olives. OPCA may
> be classified based on clinical, genetic, or neuropathological
> findings; thus, there are many classifications of the disorder. Among
> the different classifications there is wide variation in severity and
> age of onset. The symptoms of OPCA differ from person to person. Most
> patients experience difficulty with balance and coordination of the
> legs and arms (ataxia) and slurred speech (dysarthria). Other symptoms
> may include muscle spasms or weakness and stiffness of the muscles;
> numbness or tingling of the hands or feet; tremor (shaking) of the
> hand or arm; reduction or slowness of movements; loss of thinking
> and/or memory skills; difficulty controlling the bladder or bowels;
> and feeling faint when standing up. Some patients also have fatigue
> and/or trouble with sleep. Generally symptoms of OPCA begin in
> mid-adult life and progress slowly over the course of many years.
>
> From: http://www.nbhd.org/services/neuro/alssymps.htm (The North
> Broward Hospital District Neurosciences)
>
> Symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
>
> The onset-symptoms of ALS the may be so slight that they are
> frequently overlooked. Appearance of symptoms in the course of
> the disease may include the following:
>
> * twitching and cramping of muscles, especially those in
>   the hands and feet
> *  impairment in the use of the arms and legs
> *  tripping
> *  dropping things
> *  abnormal fatigue of the arms and/or legs
> *  uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying
> *  slurred or thick speech and difficulty in projecting the
>    voice
> *  in more advanced stages: shortness of breath, difficulty
>    breathing, and difficulty swallowing
>
> The hands and feet may be affected first, causing difficulty in
> walking or using the hands for the activities of daily living such as
> dressing, bathing, and buttoning clothes. As the weakening and
> paralysis continue to spread to the muscles of the trunk of the body,
> the disease eventually affects swallowing, chewing, and breathing.
> When the breathing muscles are attacked, the patient faces permanent
> ventilator support in order to survive.
>
> The sense of sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell and muscles of the
> eyes and bladder are generally not affected. The mind is not impaired
> and remains sharp despite the progressive degenerating condition of
> the body.
>
> From: http://www.caregiver.org/factsheets/als.html
>
> (ALS) Approximately one-third of patients become aware of the onset of
> the disease when their hands become clumsy, causing difficulty in the
> performance of fine tasks. Another one-third experience weakness in
> the legs and may trip because of mild foot drop. The remaining
> one-third notice slowing of speech or difficulty in swallowing. ALS
> may be present for some time before any symptoms are noticed. This
> lack of noticeable symptoms occurs because the lost or damaged nerve
> cells are compensated for by nerve cells that remain functioning. One
> early symptom is generalized fatigue. As muscle cells deteriorate,
> patients may experience stiffness or occasional jerking of the arms or
> legs resulting from spasticity (muscle tenseness). Often symptoms
> begin in the hands and feet, then travel inward toward the center of
> the body. One side is usually more affected. Paralysis eventually may
> be virtually complete, except for the muscles of the eyes. Anal and
> bladder muscles and function are not usually affected.
>