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Sherry, Sorry this is a little long. but I only wish someone could have said these things to me 18 months ago. MY fault as I was in denial for a long, long time, I was diagnosed 2 years ago at age 48 after 2 years of knowing something was very wrong and not having anyone be able to tell me what was going on.. It was a shock for me too! I was just thankful it wasn't in my head, as in imaginary friend, as I was initially lead to believe. I was beginning to think I was crazy, so finally getting a diagnosis was also a relief. All I can say ri that every time my meds change, I experience some difficulty-- dizziness, nausea unbalance,, rigidiity, insomnia, any one or in any combination.. Fortunately this doesn't last more than a few days. It has been my experience that the doctors are never sure how a person will react to a specific drug, or combination of drugs, (and I've tried most of them) and I personally think that sometimes they give you so little info to get true, unbiased reactions from you.. Also from what I've seen, each of us has a "personalized designer edition" of pd What works for some does nothing for others. I am currently revisiting mirapex as a way to reduce sinemet levels. Alone it did little for me. In combination with sinemet and tasmar, I have been able to cut my sinemet consumption by 40 %. For me, there is always a trade-off between effectiveness of the drug and tolerance of the side effects. I, too, worried about the wheel chair and worse. (I have been told I have very aggressive case). This is something I hope doesn't enter your life for a while. When and if it does, I hope you can maintain the perspective that it is an ENABLING devise. It took me, bring afraid to walk into the mall last Christmas to admit my cane was no longer enough. I started to become a prisoner in my own house. I'm not any more! I've even been out with my young adult daughters who are half my size. Life is not what it used to be, but it is doable. I am constantly making adjustments, some very painful. But I have also found some rewards here in pd land that I might never have found elsewhere. As for husbands, give them some time. Our significant others are going through just as many adjustments and disbeliefs as we are. And it is just as difficult and radical a change to their lives as ours. I wish every pd patient was married to a Robert because every day I am grateful I had the good sense to say "yes" 27 years ago. Thanksgiving 1999 was the first year I ever really felt that I had something to be thankful for. go figure OH yes, btw there are those days when I shake my fist wondering with whom I should be angry or spend half the day in tears feeling sorry for myself, asking why me, etc. The only good this does is get those feelings out of my system or a while. Other than that it is not terribly productive at all. It tends to do me more damage than good. IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE POSITIVE AT TIMES, BUT INCREDIBLY NECESSARY. I'll be happy to take this discussion off-line if you wish. Cathy BRENDA ALLISON wrote Sherry, > I can't answer your questions as I am 46 and have just been diagnosed too. I have many of the same questions. I am taking Sinemet 25/100 - 3 times a day. I too have problems with my left side and trouble walking at times.. I will be anxious to read the replies from your questions, I just still shocked at the diagnosis and have been reading all the E-Mail that passes on the list but hadn't written any yet. > > Brenda Allison > > >>> Sherry Macredes <[log in to unmask]> 09/17/99 03:18pm >>> > I am a 47 year old female who has just been diagnosed with PD. So far I just > can use my left hand very well and get shakes when I try. My left leg is also > starting to get the jittery feeling. Also there is the problem with rigid > muscles which is the worst! I guess I don't have much to complain about > except lack of information. The doctors (and I have seen many) don't seem to > want to give you any info. I am starting the drug Mirapex and am having some > difficulty with nausea, but since the dose is still not enough I haven't > gotten any relief from my symptoms. Do any of you know anything about this > drug and what I can expect? I have read everything I can find on the web but > that is just too depressing. The doctors say don't worry you should have > many years of productive living...somehow I just think they must have told > that to Muhammed Ali too and we all know that he isn't exactly productive. > What can I really expect? How long will I be able to continue to work (I do > accounting and use the keyboard alot which is getting very hard to do)? > Should I be planning for assisted care soon? I know these questions are > unanswerable but I wish someone could give me a ballpark figure...say 5-10 > years before you will require help with daily chores...or something! I sure > all of you went through this period of confusion. During the day my husband > and I discuss where we will put our backpacks on the next road trip, at night > alone in my thoughts I wonder where we will put my wheelchair. My husband > doesn't have a clue as to how bad this is, he just keeps saying when you are > better and I don't want to tell him I never be any better. What do you say? > Hey guy get real soon you will be changing my diapers! I would appreciate > any answers to unanswerable questions, just so I can tell someone who is > going through the same problems has already helped. Thanks