[mamafigure]

post right now, but my blood work came back. I have to call the neuro tomorrow, but it looks like Wilson's Disease is looking more logical. The tests showed abnormal liver function as well as very high levels of copper. I've been tested before, but never tested positive. I imagine tha the next step is another trip to the eye dr to look for the rings.

I'll keep you posted.

Mamakathy

[stevem53]

Kathy..This may be a stupid question, but what happens when you take Sinamet?

[mamafigure]

I'm not sure, Steve. Seven years or so, I was given a one month supply. At that time it didn't seem to do anything for me, so I stopped taking them.

Why do you ask? Can this explain away these blood tests?

[stevem53]

The reason I asked is because, if the Sinamet addresses the symptoms, then you probably have pd

[mamafigure]

Couldn't 7 years make a difference?

[stevem53]

In relation to symptoms?

[mamafigure]

That's whta i was originally thinking, Steve, but now that both my liver function and copper tests came back quite abnormal, and I was told to follow up on Wilson's disease, I decided to study up on WD.

It is passed genetically from one generation to another with sx usually appearing in childhood and up through 30's.I found this on a website for WD:

There are other patients with WD whose first presenting symptoms are either neurologic or psychiatric, and they are frequently patients in the third decade of life or even older. Most of these patients with central nervous system disease have occult significant liver disease at the time of presentation. The neurologic disease manifests predominantly as motor abnormalities with parkinsonian features of dystonia, hypertonia, and rigidity with tremors and dysarthria. These may cause disabling symptoms that include muscle spasms, dysarthria, dystonia, and dysphagia.

sx).

[stevem53]

OK..I can see how the two diseases can be confused and misdiagnosed

[lou_lou]

Originally Posted by mamafigure

That's whta i was originally thinking, Steve, but now that both my liver function and copper tests came back quite abnormal, and I was told to follow up on Wilson's disease, I decided to study up on WD.

It is passed genetically from one generation to another with sx usually appearing in childhood and up through 30's.I found this on a website for WD:

There are other patients with WD whose first presenting symptoms are either neurologic or psychiatric, and they are frequently patients in the third decade of life or even older. Most of these patients with central nervous system disease have occult significant liver disease at the time of presentation. The neurologic disease manifests predominantly as motor abnormalities with parkinsonian features of dystonia, hypertonia, and rigidity with tremors and dysarthria. These may cause disabling symptoms that include muscle spasms, dysarthria, dystonia, and dysphagia.

sx).

when you went to the eye doctor -
he/ she must have seen the Kayser-Fleischer rings meaning Wilson disease in your eyes -that is where too much copper shows up ...
this link talks about the signs we see -is our way of determining the disfunctions of the body -etc.
http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/119/9/939

also you can or could be a "restless leg syndrome patient"
as they - the doctors are giving them PD medications - mirapex and sinemet.
wilsons disease can be cured...you have too much copper in your body...

also this link discusses PD and its percentages etc.
http://www.bioline.org.br/request?ns02008

[mamafigure]

Interesting link, Tena. Thanks.

When I was at the eye drs office in the past, he saw no rings. If there are still no rings, it would rule out Wilson's. My comment was that when these observations were made, my labs were in order. This is the first time that that cu has been elevated. Liver functions were only elevated when I had a very bad case of mono when in nursing school many, many years ago.

I was originally rx'd Mirapex for both RLS and to allevaiate the tremors that i was experiencing. It also helped me walk better.

Kathy