PARKINSN friends,
To add a contrary voice to this discussion, as to whether it is
good/not good to avoid Sinemet early in the progression of PD, let me
relate my experiences.
I'm 55 and have been diagnosed with PD for just under two months.
Looking back with 20-20 hindsight I can see symptoms almost 2 years
ago. I was (and maybe will be again) a long distance runner. Under
the stress of running *any* physical problem manifests itself sooner.
*All* of my early symptoms occurred while running. In fact, the
thing that finally drove me to a neurologist was a problem with my
left leg while running which in my ignorance I called a "leg-lock."
The neurologist called it dystonia, and combined with a tremor in my
left hand were the core of the diagnosis. (There was more to it than
that, of course.)
For the first month he had me on selegiline only. When I saw him the
second time, he was going to let it go at that since, other than
while running, my symptoms are at the nuisance level. I bitched and
moaned (as only a thwarted runner can) and he started me on Requip.
I'm sill in the dosage build-up stage. In fact, I have yet to
complete my second week of the drug. I'm currently on 1.5 mg/day and
will go to 2.25 mg/day next Wednesday.
Having said that, I can see a turnaround in my symptoms while running
already. Yesterday and today (1/15 & 1/16) I've noted a definite
improvement. Who knows if it will continue. Knock on wood. <Bill
raps self on skull>
But for now, I say, *Let's hear it for Requip!*
Best,
Bill
PS - If you want the details see the most recent entries in my
on-line diary at:
http://bill.innanen.com/parkinsons/current.shtml#bottom
--
Bill Innanen <mailto: [log in to unmask]>
<http://Bill.Innanen.com> & <http://mni.ms>
