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A) RE: dystonia Barbara , you are right! Before I was diagnosed I had a lot of cramping and twisting in my right foot (dystonia). My shoes wore down on the outsides too. I even threw out 2 pairs of very expensive shoes because I thought they were causing the cramps. I think some people have cramp when overdosed, but mine are at 'low' times--when I am very akinetic. It would be interesting to see which meds the people who have dystonia are taking, and also when the dystonia ocurrs I am now taking Permax and Sinemet CR and Sinemet 100/25. Until recently I also took Deprenyl (1/2 tablet per day). Before that I took Parlodel and Sinemet 100/25 with and without Deprenyl. Before that it was Sinemet 250/25 alone and with Symmetrl. The foot twisting vanished for a few years (1980-4) but reappeared and has gradually become more extreme as time has passed. Sinemet is the only constant factor as far as drugs go but it is eliminated by the pre-diagnosis cramping and twisting. B) About the charting ---- I only do it for 2 or 3 days the week before an appointment with the Neuro or when I am trying to increase/decrease the quantity or change the timing. It took me at least 5 times before I figured out my method-couldn't do it the doctor's way. Don't see that DR anymore. To Joel and Ric C) re: Cognition After 14 + years of Parkinsons and the medications, I cannot think clearly nor do even simple math when my meds are off. When they are on I can pretend to be smart. It was quite different in 1983 when I graduated from college (on Honours List) in Computer Programming and Systems Analysis. In Toronto in 1985-6 I participated in two studies of memory function. The name of the doctor escapes me. No kidding! study 1 Compare three groups of people ( alzheimers/parkinsons/ normal) Matched for age, sex and what else. Everyone did a set of tasks re different kinds of memory including attempts to confuse and interfere with remembering. study 2 Try out improved methods and add to information on memory and mental sharpness among the elderly. I was told there was not much data on people over 50 and less for those over 70 . When I asked about results of number 1 I was told that there was sometimes a memory difficulty with Parkinsons which was different from alzheimers in type not just in extent. One interesting point was the problem parkinsonians had when required to juggle a separate idea while trying to remember or look for something else. Cheers Anne Rutherford [log in to unmask]