Re: Introduction

[Scott Burnett <sburnett001@xxxxxxxxx>]

welcome to the list, don't have too much time to write now but my story
is similar to yours.  I hope you like the list as much as I do.
Scott Burnett
Stockton CA
On Thursday, April 4, 2002, at 05:53 PM, Linda K. Hatfield wrote:

> Hi.  My name is Linda Hatfield.  I'm currently 36 years of age but that
> will
> change next month.  My official diagnosis of parkinsonism, coupled with
> chronic myofacial pain, occured on July 12, 2001 by a specialist at the
> USF
> Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Center in Tampa, Florida.  I
> had
> actually gone to the center to have a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease
> that
> had been made by a different neurologist refuted by them.  However, it
> was
> decided that given my symptoms at the time and the negative results of
> numerous other tests, that a trial of Carbidopa/Levodopa was
> warranted.  The
> main symptom I was experiencing was a tremor in my right arm, shoulder,
> and
> leg.  I also had a gait disturbance, some rigidity, and was experiencing
> periods of not being able to control my body movements.  The tremor
> started
> in November of 2000 during a time when I was recuperating from 2
> automobile
> accidents in May and July of 2000.  They were not sure if  the tremor
> was
> related to the trauma experienced from the accidents or if there was a
> connection to my occupation in which I have been exposed to many toxic
> substances.  However, it was determined after marked improvement while
> taking
> the Carbidopa/Levodopa that what most likely had occurred was a
> triggering of
> an underlying Parkinson's Disease that had just not shown any symptoms
> before.  After meeting with the specialist at USF over the next few
> months,
> he diagnosed me with Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease in November of
> 2001.
> The neurologist also referred me to the USF Pain Management Clinic and
> they
> have also diagnosed me with Chronic Myofacial Pain as a result of the
> accidents.  Unfortunately the two diseases sort of feed off of one
> another so
> I continue to be treated by the team at USF for both.  After a year
> and a
> half of not knowing what was happening to me I at least was relieved to
> have
> a diagnosis.  I, however, was not prepared or willing to accept it as
> I'm
> sure no one truly is when confronted with this news.  This is why, I
> imagine,
> that I am finally making my introduction.
>
> I learned of the Parkinson's Information Exchange Network after
> purchasing my
> second book on PD.  "When Parkinson's Strikes Early", by Barbara
> Blake-Krebs,
> M.A. and Linda Herman, M.L.S., was just the book I needed to get me out
> of
> the whole I had dug for myself and on the road to accepting and dealing
> with
> the fact that I have Parkinson's Disease.  The many stories, insights,
> and
> loads of information offered throughout the book have been very
> helpful.  I
> was amazed to learn of so many people out there dealing on a day to day
> basis
> with this disease.  I was also encouraged to find that so many are
> willing to
> share their personal experiences with virtual "strangers".
>
> I am a typically shy person who does not like to draw any attention to
> myself.  I would prefer it if no one noticed me.  Since that is pretty
> difficult to acheive when you are visibly shaking and have difficulty
> walking, I figured it would be best to learn as much as I possibly can
> about
> this disease from those who are living with it too.  So, I've finally
> gotten
> up the courage to sit and write out this introduction to you all.  To
> let you
> know who I am, to let you know that I'm scared to death, and to let you
> know
> that I so appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read this
> and
> possibly reply with any thoughts, comments, or words of wisdom that you
> might
> have to share with a fellow PWP.
>
> Thank you so much for providing this very much needed service and for
> helping
> me find the courage to say "I have Parkinson's Disease".
>
> Sincerely,
> Linda K. Hatfield
>
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