7/8/23
I asked my GP whether he knew of an alternative specialist. He suggested a Dr. V. I called. Again, no appointment was available for at least a month. It was not good enough. I decided to search the Web for another neurologist in Austin and found one with good credentials and positive feedback from patients. I found several, picked out one, and called. A friendly receptionist answered on the first ring. I explained my concerns.
“Yes, Dr. W. has an opening in two weeks,” she told me.
I figured that would have to do. I didn’t like it but I’d have to wait. Then, to my surprise, that evening I got a call from her. There had been a cancellation.
“Could I come to Dr. W’s office on Monday, three days hence?”
“Yes,” I said. “No problem. I’ll be there.”
When I arrived at Dr. W’s modest facility, I told her of my symptoms. She had me walk a few yards up and down the corridor. She did me do a few other movement tests and asked me a lot of questions.
“You probably have Parkinson’s,” she finally announced. “We’ll start you on a regimen of L-Dopa right away.”
She explained that a lot of patients don’t tolerate the medicine very well. They get nauseous. For that reason, she suggested that I ramp us the dose and, at first, take the medication with a meal. She started me with a formulation of 25mg carbidopa and 100 mg levodopa. I hadn’t the faintest idea of what that was.
“Start with one a day for 5 days, then two for another five days, and finally, three a day.”
I filled the prescription that afternoon and began my journey with Parkinson’s.
I’m a molecular biologist. Or at least I used to be one before I retired. (You can read more about me in the ‘Memoir’ section of this site.) That meant that I was able to better understand the basic biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology of Parkinson’s better than most laymen. In this blog, my intention is to do two things: First, describe in real time the progression of my symptoms. And second, given my background, to try to explain the molecular and cellular basis of the disease and it therapy. Since, I’m going to start out knowing little about the disease, I’ll be learning as well as explaining along the way. Anyone who reads these posts with more expertise can put corrections and suggestions in the comments box.
Two other points. Keep in mind that if you have Parkinson’s, or if you’re looking after someone with the disorder, both the symptoms and rate of progression may be quite different than my own. It seems like Parkinson’s has a wide range of effects.
And most important, it’s critical to understand that I’m not a doctor and will not offer medical advice because I’m not competent to do so. That’s the function of a physician.
By the way, there are other websites with similar goals. The best one that I’ve come across is this one: https://journeywithparkinsons.com/ The author,Frank Church, like me, is a retired professor. A biochemist. He’s had Parkinson’s since 2012 and his blog is quite extensive.
Hi Bill
Elliott Blass here. Undoubtedly, I am the last or one of the last people from whom you expect to hear; but here I am. You and Gail popped into my mind a number of times of late so, i thought to get in touch. Let me start by sharing my sadness about your Parkinson condition. I am familiar with it as a layperson and hope that it has stabilized and does not develop further.
As for me, briefly, I too am retired. From Hopkins (20 years) I went to Cornell (10 years) and then to UMASS (Amherst) for another 10 before calling it a day. My research when you and I overlapped focused on mechanisms of thirst, but then shifted to suckling in rats and at career end, to humans. It was a lot of fun. Turned out to be deliciously complicated, and some of the bigger puzzles remain.
Personally, I have been married and divorced twice and am mnow living with a splendid lady, Lisa, by name and all is good. In addition to David and Josh from my Lorraine days, I have two additional children, Bridget and Joey, and that brings us up to date.
So, I would love to hear from you. I am not likely to be Texas in the near future (how did you end up there?) but if you guys find yourselves East, let me know; it would be wonderful seeing you, even without your beard.
Warm wishes,
Elliott
Bill Sofer – here’s a voice from your past. Think 1952-1954 – P.S. 149. This morning I came across our SP class photo that you had posted online. Bill, the teacher was the extraordinary Charles Goldman, not Mr. Hoffman. If you still have the photo, I am 3rd row up, 3rd from the left with Nadine Weiner on the end and Judah Scolnik next to me.
I was delighted to find you on Google and learn of the successful career you have had in science while not so glad to read of the Parkinsons issue. My husband, Bernie Moss, has the same symptoms you described but is in denial. His response is “I’m old” and, indeed, he is. Bernie will be 87 in July and is still at the National Institutes of Health.
Retired from teaching, I spend much of my time in my Florida studio where I create textile art with needle and thread. Bernie commutes between Bethesda and Fort Myers twice a month and directs research from his home office here.
Your photo brought back many fond memories. Thank you for posting it. Weren’t we lucky to grow up in Brooklyn and do our undergraduate work at Brooklyn College!
Toby,
Of course I remember you from 149. What I didn’t know was that you were married to a molecular biologist – one who’s still doing research at 86+!
Thanks for reading my blog. I intend to post a little more often in the future – although typing is a chore. And, if you get a chance, take a look at my novel on Gregor Mendel – “Three to One”. I had fun writing it.