Cassi Creek: The
winning number is, hopefully, 332.1
That is a
diagnosis code used in the ICD-9 to specify “Parkinsonism.” Not Parkinson’s Disease, but manifesting
symptoms common to PD while not presenting with others.
The
medication, Sinemet, I’ve been taking, has had some effects. Today, I did not display much in the way of
tremors while in the exam room. Yesterday,
I spent most of the day trying not to drop things.
There is a general left-sided weakness compared to my right
side that the resident seemed not to notice until I pointed out the findings OT
had documented. At that point, she
charted the finding. I understand how
difficult it is to see a patient once, trying to glean everything important
from a computerized file and the assorted information and misinformation that
the patient provides, then assess the patient for changes and other
concerns. Since Gloria notices changes
in my condition more than I do, I was happy that she chose to be there with me
today.
There seems
to be no marked progression. I was told
that the ugliest two or three of the “atypical Parkinson’s” are most likely not
in my prognosis. This will probably
shake out as a long-term slowly progressing disorder. There are no new magic bullets in the
apparent future.
So I need to
start pushing the VA compensation process in any manner I can find. I may have a winning number. However, unless it is plugged into the system
if is of no value.
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