how long?

December 30, 2001

Shy- Drager was first suggested to me two years ago, and verified as much

as it can be this summer. I've had symptoms for many years starting with

fainting, terrible head and neck pain. I have been unable to work for

three years. I'm struggling to maintain my independence. Tenacity and

humour are my best tools for doing so. I will be 48 the twelfth day of

Christmas. I find myself far more concerned with how well I can live than

for how long. Medical professionals all react differently some write you

off as a palliative case, others are supportive and interested in keeping

the quality of life as high as possible. The most agonizing part of this

has been to find support and appropriate symptomatic relief. Although

women are more likely to deal with medical problems they are also routinely

written off as hysterical, after all, fainting is a 'woman's problem', and

we crave attention - don't get me going. In reality we put off the

nigling complaints until we're done raising children and then finally

afford the time to figure out why we feel routinely bad. One doctor

suggested without checking my marital status that I must enjoy being

supported by a husband and probably just did no longer want to work. In a

nasty twist of irony, this doctor, who saw me in the emergency after having

been admitted, turns out to be one of the few neuro's who has treated MSA

patients, my sister works with him, but I am still to offended to see him.

Also, just to note, when I had a probable diagnosis I contacted the

Parkinson's Foundation in Vancouver, who told me they had never heard of

Shy-Drager and could offer me no help or information.

aletta mes, vancouver, bc canada

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