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I have been taking sinemet for over twenty years now. I take half of a
25/100 CR every two hours around the clock. I also take two eldepryl and
three amantadine daily. I have times when i am more on, and times when i
am moreoff. If I lower the amantadine or the eldepryl, these
fluctuations become more exaggerated and dyskinesia more evident. And I
have to time very carefully when I eat protein. Which makes life a
little complicated at times, true.

But I have no regrets for having started sinemet as my first treatment
for PD. As it turns out, none of the agonists has been particlarly
effective, and most had horrendous side effects, including narcolepsy,
hallucinations, and horrific migraines. I have suffered from migraines
since age 9, but these were absolutely horrendous.

But the most important thing is that I was there for my family, and
strong when they needed it. I saw my husband through several
manic-depressive episodes, and I was there for him when he was dying of
lung cancer. And there for my three children too.

Now my children are growing up. The youngest graduates high school next
week. They can understand the implications of my illness now, and learn
to deal with it.

What it amounts to is: do you want the good years now, while you need to
work, or do you want to save them for a later time?  If you can't hold a
job now because of lack of treatment of symptoms, will you have the
financial resources to enjoy yourself later? The point is you have to
think what is best for you, and make your own decision.

Hilary Blue

Bill Lawless wrote:

 > I cannot speak to the long term effects of Sinment beyond 5 years. I
 >  will say that if you are very active and are very careful with the
 >  medicine and not take more than absolutely necessary you can
 > stretch out the onset of side effects for several years. I
 > unfortunately became over medicated before I should have. With more
 >  knowledge I have cut back about  25%. A 100/250  CR dose peaks in
 > 3 or 4 hours. If you work out a fairly tight schedule of medication
 >  and meals, you can have a decent work day. I think the balance is
 > between current function and future problems which may or may not
 > be that bad. Still, your doctor is right to be cautious.
 >
 > Regards, Bill Lawless [Post hoc, ergo propter hoc!] a logical
 > fallacy.
 >
 >
 >
 > ----- Original Message ----- From: Roberta Innarella To:
 > [log in to unmask] Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2003 8:24 PM
Subject:
 >  Re: Paula from PA
 >
 >
 > Bob, yes my doctor does not want to give me Sinmet because of the
 > inevitable (supposedly) side effects.  Don't know much about taking
 >  Comtan anad Sinemet together.  Yes, I'm still working.  I am on my
 >  own and need to keep working as long as I can but when you're a
 > secretary and your left hand is uncooperative while typing, it's
 > difficult.  I would love to find some relief from my symptoms
 > (other than sleeping).  Have tried Amantadine, Mirapex, Artane,
 > Requip, Eldepryl.  Amantadine and Artane twice.  I'm running out of
 >  options.  Don't know what to do.  Roberta
 >
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