Parkinson's Disease

I was a caregiver for someone with PD, and I am now an advocate trying to raise awareness of PD. I was glad to see astronaut Rich Clifford on the front cover of the April/May edition of your magazine. However, you didn't mention that April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month. Please don't forget to mention this in the future! Many people with PD read Neurology Now and should be reminded. - Linda Giorgilli Rice

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Thank you for the article on trigeminal neuralgia (TN). One part of managing TN that has been very frustrating for me is that the only way to make an appointment with many doctors is by telephone. However, the pain of TN can make it difficult to talk on the phone. To physicians treating TN: Please create a way for patients to schedule appointments, ask questions, and request refills by e-mail!

Thank you for having this magazine and for sending it out free to people with neurologic disorders. It's a reminder that somebody out there cares about this stuff and is working at better ways to treat it. - Charles Wolff, Phoenix, AZ

Speak Up for Stroke

After reading the article about the Speak up for Stroke Campaign in April/May 2012, I wanted to share with you my experience of having a stroke. I am a registered nurse who has been practicing since 1982. Although I am well aware of the warning signs of stroke, I chose to ignore them in my own case. When I noticed that I was having trouble talking and my speech was garbled, I told myself I was having a panic attack and that I couldn't be having a stroke because I have never had the typical risk factors—for example, I have always had low cholesterol and low blood pressure. Instead of going to the hospital, I took a nap, thinking it would settle my anxiety. When I woke up my speech was worse, so I went to the emergency room where I was told I had a stroke.

My message is the same as in your article: Call 9-1-1 if you experience any of the signs of stroke. Every minute counts. - Mary T. Bruno, R.N., Hernando, FL

Rare Diseases

I was so intrigued and encouraged by Dr. Robin Brey's request for readers to share their experience with a rare disease ("Not So Rare," April/May 2012). I am a rehabilitation specialist who works with many patients who have developed arachnoiditis, a pain disorder caused by the inflammation of one of the membranes that surround and protect the nerves of the spinal cord. I am also the parent of a young adult with arachnoiditis. Unfortunately, the condition often remains unrecognized—and patients underserved. Please consider doing an article on it. - Terri A. Lewis

CORRECTIONS: The article on trigeminal neuralgia in the April/May 2012 issue ("Facing Pain") erroneously states that Mary Harmon was treated with Gamma Knife; she was treated with the CyberKnife System. In addition, the article mistakenly states that oxcarbazepine does not cause low sodium levels.