John and Soccertese, you have both articulated the hope that I have been afraid to articulate, that is, curing hypothyroidism may mitigate some of my Parkinson's symptoms. Wouldn't that be a wonderful paper to write! For me this is a wake-up call. I tend to blame every new problem on Parkinson's, when in fact I should be looking in multiple directions every time something new occurs. One problem is, though, these problems sneak up on me. I do feel more and more like a science project and this is my science project blog!

A couple of things to report. We were gone to Canada last week when the report came in regarding my heart. Not surprisingly, the patch showed that I have an arrhythmia in my heart. By the time we returned home on Saturday, there were three messages on my machine from the scheduler trying to set up an appointment with me and a cardiologist. Then Saturday evening she called again, which made me a little worried but I do better with facts rather than anticipating what facts might be.

This morning we saw a cardiologist at 7:15. He confirmed the arrhythmia and gave me two choices, I could take a scattering of pills until one worked and then take the pills for the rest of my life or I could have an ablation, a medical procedure in which they will insert a catheter through my groin up into my heart, cauterize the trouble spots and let me return to my normal life after 48 hours. I chose door number two. So I will really get a healed heart on Valentine's Day!

I also learned that the hypothyroid medication apparently is not magic. My right shoulder gave me such trouble that I could only ski one day. I felt sad, but hopeful that something will happen so I can ski again. Even if I can't, I've enjoyed many wonderful years on the slopes and was able to spend the rest of the week with my dear little grandchildren, ages three and one. We had a blast.

The hypothyroid medication does not seem to have any effect on any of my PD symptoms unfortunately.

Just an interesting piece of anecdotal information. I just finished my third cognition test as a part of a research study at the Udall Center here in Seattle. I was concerned that with heart problems and thyroid issues that I was going to be too confused to do well on the test. So I biked very consistently before doing the test yesterday morning. Voila! I am told that I did better on the test this year than last year and better last year than the year before! I'm either getting smarter or I'm just remembering the test. Tomorrow they are supposed to fix my heart. I am hopeful that all will go well. I should be home tomorrow night. It sounds like the process is quite straightforward and I have nothing to worry about...maybe just a little.

best of luck nan. get well!

Good luck Nan, I'll be thinking you.

Thanks for the good wishes. They worked. All is well. No holes, no ablation. Now they try to stabilize thyroid. Better than holes in the heart!

I saw the cardiologist yesterday for my follow-up visit. We started with an EKG, which showed a perfectly normal heart. We decided to continue working with the thyroid medication until the thyroid is completely stabilized, but he said that there should be no problems with my heart at all. It is in perfect condition except for a little arrhythmia every now and then, which I can live with. No new pills. Another demon laid to rest.

I asked him what he learned from the echocardiogram, the treadmill test. He said I am in excellent condition, excellent condition! he reiterated. Whatever exercise I am doing, keep it up!

I have been riding my bike in the basement for at least an hour nearly every day.

Thanks for all your good wishes.

http://www.davisphinneyfoundation.or...essReport1.pdf

Cycling exercise research report from Jay Alberts and Dr. Bloem

I just received this link from Mark Burek of the Albany YMCA. He participated in a Healthlink show on Parkinson's that highlights Pedaling for Parkinson's.

http://video.wmht.org/video/2365212642/

Mark is one remarkable man!

Thanks Nan, video was very interesting, covers a broad range of pd topics including supplements, surgery. Impressive they have 8 YMCAs in that area doing PforPD. And your name was mentioned! Interesting that in the video everyone was spinning, nooone was on a tandem.