new member

[Rruss12345@xxxxxxx]

subj: new mwmber
date: 96-04-03
from: Rruss12345@xxxxxxx  (Rosemary Russell)

My name is Rosemary Russell & I am a new member.  I was diagnosed with PD
about 2 yrs. ago at age 46, but had symptoms for 3 years before.  My
situation seems to be unique in that I seem to have little in common with
others in my support group--most are quite older & have caregivers.  I am a
divorced single mother of three sons--two are grown & one still at home, a
senior in high school.  I had just completed graduate school when I was
diagnosed, & had planned on a career.  Now I don't know if I will be able to
have one or not.  My worst symptom (according to my neurologist) is tremor of
the right arm.  To me, my most disabling feature is fatigue/weakness.  I used
to be very energetic & active--showed horses in jumping competition, active
in community, dated, etc...  Now everything's an effort, and I don't do much.
 I take a water therapy class four times a week and it has helped me a
lot--but not the fatigue.  I take a very low dose of sinemet and parlodel 3
times a day, eldepryl  twice a day, 2000iu. of vitamin E,  effexor (37mg.
twice a day), and estrogen.  My neurologist wants me to have a thalamotomy
this year.  I am going to Emory in Atlanta in May for a 2nd opinion on the
surgery.  My  questions are:   Does anyone know of anything that will help
the fatigue/weakness?
         Has anyone had a thalamotomy, & what were the results?
         What do others my age (& single) do about their future?  I feel like
I have no real future because everything has changed.  I have wonderful
family & friends, but they don't really understand what it is like--and I
don't expect them to.  Anyone with similar probs. can write me at my e-mail
address:
                                                          Rruss12345@xxxxxxx
                                                            Rosemary Russell