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At 10:46 1999/12/09 -0600, you wrote: >Hi Mr. Chivers: > >If you've only been diagnosed as having PD since November, it may well be >that your doctor is still trying to find the correct dosage/combination of >drugs for your particular problems. > >The best way to initiate therapy in PD is to start any medication at a very >low, sub-clinical dose and then slowly titrate upward until benefit is seen. >This can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on your >symptoms and your responses to the medications.The doctor will "fine-tune" >your daily dosage based on feedback from you. This is why a daily diary is >often suggested so that your doctor can see your responses over several days >or weeks to determine any patterns. This helps to define your treatment >options further. Thus, you may not be taking enough drug to sufficiently >limit your tremors though it is sufficient to provide greater mobility >(possibly by lessening whatever rigidity you may be experiencing). > >Also, please remember that most doctors will not automatically try for 100% >control of all symptoms. The objective is to limit the PD symptoms >sufficiently so the PWP can function in life, business, etc., with as few >side effects as possible. > >Have patience and take this time to learn as much as possible about >Parkinson's disease. This way you'll be able to discuss your questions and >concerns more knowledgeably with your neurologist and be able to choose, >with your physician's advice, the best therapeutic options for you. You've >made a good start by searching the internet and becoming a member of this >listserve. The national organizations for PD (PDF, NPF and APDA) all have a >wide variety of educational materials and services. There are also a number >of good books you can borrow from your local library - one of the best being >Roger Duvoisin's book, A Guide for Patient and Family (in it's 3rd edition >now, I believe).. > >Good luck. > > >Jeanne Lee-Rosner >PDF-Chicago hear hear! i think this is great advice for anyone with pd not just newbies imho the daily diary can make a critical potentially life-saving difference EDUCATION AND TITRATION R US janet janet paterson 52 now / 41 dx / 37 onset http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Village/6263/ 613 256 8340 po box 171 almonte ontario canada k0a 1a0