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Debbie, Yeah, I'm depressed too, have been since diagnosis. Depression is part of PD. Don't let it go unaddressed. My Dr. put me on Sinemet right away, and I took it for about a year. Well, I'm not sure it helped or not, because I was on a low dose. Frankly, I was a bit of a wuss about it, and in complete denial, of course. In time I realized that my symptoms while a distraction, were not that bad, and I could still do everything I did pre-PD. In the meantime, what I found out was that when you start on Sinemet, or carbidopa/levidopa in combo with other drugs, a clock starts ticking. In 3 to 10 years, after ever increasing doses, C/L loses effectiveness and actually causes nasty side-effects of its own. Then you're up against some decisions re: surgery that will be unpleasant, but by that time you'll be aching for relief. Anyway, I went off Sinemet, after consulting with my 2nd neurologist, who supported the move. I stayed on the two other prescriptions, selegiline and requip. Thing is, I've been so overwhelmed with busy-ness and depression that I haven't followed thru on the things I was going to do to take better care of myself. I don't watch what I eat, don't exercise regularly, still smoke, work too long, don't sleep enough. Recipe for a heart attack at my age (52). I've got to work on that. I've been off Sinemet for a year or so, and I have actually had more to deal with, mainly with tremor, stiffness, and slowness on the right side, but I'm trying to find the gumption to get myself some relief through taking better care of myself. It's been written that you can stay in control for longer if you exercise vigorously. A guy wrote a book about how he controls his own PD thru exercising 6 days a week. Maybe someone here will come up with the author/title for me. It's also been written that fava beans contain a dopamine-like compound which can help replace what your brain has stopped producing. I find that a good, therapeutic massage helps my symptoms and well being. A lot has been written, and my primary suggestion is for you to start reading. Learn as much as you can. There are more than one way to approach PD. Didn't mean to get so chatty. Welcome to the list. There are lots of wonderful, helpful people here who have experience with what you'll be facing in the future. Enjoy Fall! Rick McGirr Email: [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "rayilynlee" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 1:12 PM Subject: Re: What to expect/Debbie > Debbie, the answer is no one knows as we are all different. My > first dose > of Sinemet was great (I was leery because of allergic reactions to > chemo) > but it never helped again although I took it for a year. After my > DBS brain > surgeries in 2003 to > control bilateral tremors I tried it and Comtan again. Again no help > with > dyskinesias. I don't take PD meds period and have had PD almost ten > years > now. I' m not alone, one guy on list takes supplements, another > ayurvedic > (sp) medicine. > > The neurologists usually try agonists first, which I found to be > dreadful, > and try to hold off Sinemet as long as possible because after awhile > it > doesn't usually work as well and you get dyskinesias. > > Although I am mostly angry, I'm sure shrinks would say I'm > depressed. I > tried Paxil, but didn't care about anything. Personally, I would > stay off > meds as long as possible as I have a phobia about pills, but you > make your > own decision. If Sinemet made me feel as good as that first dose I > would > probably be taking it. Good luck, Ray > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "MyFirstname Mylastname Debbie Shontz" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2005 2:35 PM > Subject: Re: Shoulder Shrugging ( Ssme leg symptoms) > > >>I was just recently diagnosed with PD. After about 8 months seeing >>an >> orthopedic for pain in the back, left thigh and left leg associated >> with >> leg >> weakness and limping. Your symptoms sound like mine. Then when I >> got the >> tremor in >> the left hand, I went on line and diagnosed myself. Confirmed by >> the >> neurologist. To see Dr. Weiner at Univ. of Md. in Baltimore in >> late Dec. >> On no >> medication as of yet. I do not like taking medication but I guess >> I will >> have to. >> Now have pain in left arm and stiffness in shoulder and hand >> weakness. >> What >> can I expect next? Depressed about this situation..........Debbie >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] >> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn