PatientsLikeMe ™

I am married with 2 sons (15 and 11). My wife is a RN, my older son has autism and my younger son is a politician or actor www.edw4.webs.com  in the making. Check out our website www.weissguys.webs.com  to see how we are trying to make a difference. I work full time as a probation officer in Seattle. In addition to PD I have also been diagnosed with Glaucoma and have a history of Melanoma. I am a Christian and draw a lot of strength from God in dealing with PD and other issues in life. Interests/hobbies living in the Great Pacific Northwest include: politics, travel, boating, outdoor activities, sports, cooking, advocacy work for disabled and mentally ill people. I grew up in rural Wisconsin. Joined U.S. Air Force in 1987 and spent time in Germany during unification of Germany and fall of Berlin wall, and the first Gulf War. I started noticing symptoms (mainly stiffness and slowness) in 2003, but my doctor would not take me serious; and dismissed my symptoms as stress or depression. I would also notice an intermittent tremor in my left hand (thumb) but did not think a lot about it. In January 06 I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in my neck and low back. At the end of January 06 my vision became double, the day before the Seahawks played in the Superbowl, so I had to watch the game covering one eye and suffering from severe headache and dizziness. Not as bad of a headache as the outcome of the game turned out to be though! I was tested for stroke, brain tumor, etc., etc. Right around this time my tremor in left thumb became pretty much constant. The doctor who was treating my stenosis referred me to a movement disorder specialist at the University of Washington; whom I saw in August 06. At first he said he thought my tremor was an Essential Tremor. I went back in November 06 and he said he thought it was beginning of PD and to come back in 6 months. I went back in June 07 and at that time he said it was PD and asked me if I wanted to try medication. He prescribed Sinemet, and I responded great to it. I saw my MDS again in July 07, and I said "So it's PD huh?" and he confirmed.