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Hello...again. Reading a recent posting reminds me that I should contribute to the good of our shared cause. I signed on a month ago and posted an introduction and have been lurking ever since. Even toyed with un- subscribing because of the daily accumulation of posting which I scarcely have the time or take the time to review. Over the past 30 days, I have increased my knowledge and awareness of this disease many fold - and have shared with my doctor many tidbits which we have discussed in some detail during my periodic visits. Those visits are frequent because I am also involved in a national eldepryl clinical trial. To summarize: I am a 43 year old male. First experienced symptoms in December '92 at age 41. Tremoring right hand, followed by right leg drag 6 months later. Neurological exam tested for brain tumor post-polio syndrome (as a child may have had a touch...but not diagnosed) MS and a battery of other tests. Tentative diagnosis of parkinsons syndrome in August '93. Sinemet and eldepryl were initiated and good response - confirming the diagnosis in late '93. Sinemet CR initiated and Permax added in '94. Fairly constant and good response throughout '94. In early '95, I went to a body movement disorder specialist to confirm diagnosis and to check meds and explore treatment options and initiate long term planning to treat with this disease. April '95, I went off Sinemet CR and went on Sinemet (25/250 - 3 pills a day, halved, taken at 3 hr intervals) and continued on Permax (.25 mg - 4 and 1/2 pills a day, taken at 5 hr intervals). Now, nearing the end of my clinical trial for eldepryl - maybe eldepryl or maybe placebo. I diary my "on" "off" periods and have had clinical visits at roughly 10 day intervals. Last one will be mid-june. Then..assessment and readjust meds and go from there.. Presently, I am active and full-time employed in a rather demanding occupation in the legal field. 12 hr days are not out of the ordinary at times. Fortunately, my symptoms and sedentary job responsibilities enable me to work even during "off" periods. "Off" periods can run as much as 30% of the waking day.. mostly late in the afternoon and late in the evening. A bumpier ride since taken off Sinemet CR. Oddly enough, I usually awake "On" in the mornings. Some dyskinesia -toe wiggling and clawing in right foot and moving finger curling in right hand. No dystonia. No significant impairment in daily activities especially due to sedentary job nature. "Off" periods are characterized by rigidity, esp in right shoulder, some tremoring in right arm and leg. Slowness in ability to perform some normal living tasks..ie. buttoning shirt and tieing a tie. Battery operated toothbrush helps immensely. Most noticable "off" warning is limp in right leg and diminished right arm swing when walking and typing ability turning to "molasses" when seated at the computer. I was prompted into action to shed my lurking status by some of the more recent postings authored by early onset "parky" buddies. Amazing some of the similarities! Thank you Linda McKenzie as you decided to chuck your lurking status. And thank you, James Ryan for relating your experience in our common vocation in the legal field. Also, knowing too that I was abusing alcohol and incurring some of the damages consequent to that disease and perhaps attributing some of my early symptoms to that disease process, I came to believe that alcohol and me were no longer compatible - my sobriety date is May 14, 1993.:)) I too wonder about the correlation between alcohol use and parkinsons. The legal profession seems to have its share of both diseases and some I know in tandem. Too long! Sorry, if I protracted and took too much of your time and byte space. There are apparently several occupational hazard rife in the legal profession - one certainly is loquaciousness! Speaking of talking...my first foray into suggesting a topic for discussion on this bulletin board: Is anyone intereste in exploring the possibility of doing a "parky" chatline? I live alone and spend a fair amount of time on the internet, not only scanning bulletin boards in my profession, but also interacting on irc-type chatlines. I have several places where I frequent and it occurred to me that it would be nice to have a place to go to chat with you folks to share our exper- iences and to chat about things we share, our hopes and aspirations for the future as we confront our common challeng in life. very truly yours Art e-mail: [log in to unmask]