Re: Medical quals. for pallid...

["Pat Schark (PSchark 192)" <PSchark192@xxxxxxx>]

Kathi,

I certainly understand your frustration with your dad's doctor and would
encourage you to get a second opinion, if possible.  However, his viewpoint
is shared by my doctor, a respected neurologist whom I trust.

His position is that any brain surgery is risky, and may be premature when
there are promising medications on the horizon.  Pramipexole, a dopamine
agonist, is scheduled to be approved within the next few years, and has
proved effective in drug trials.  Other medications discussed on the network
also hold promise. The St Louis Post-Dispatch ran an article this week about
a new brain probe being manufactured by Sterotaxis which delievers medication
directly into the brain of Parkinson's patients, and gene therapy also has
possibilities in the not-too-distant future.

I agree with Dr. Kelly's assertion that risks exist in any surgery, but the
negative results of brain surgery are quite different from having an arm or
leg amputated by mistake.  With other types of surgical errors, however bad
they may be, you're still left with an intact mind; that may not be the case
with brain surgery.  Even when the surgery is successful, some symptoms, such
as speech, may be exacerbated or not improved.

Of course each situation must be evaluated individually.  When I reach that
stage in my illness,  I'll certainly be tempted to buy more time while
awaiting a cure, but I'll also take these other factors into consideration
and try to make an intelligent decision. I wish you luck!