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I have had parkinsons disease 18 years and I lead what I consider a fairly normal life when my medications are controlling my symptoms. So, I believe you have to fight this disease everyday with all your ability. I take sinemet cr 50/200 (3) sinemet 25/100 for a boost (2),permax 1 mg (3), eldyoryl (1),amantadine 100 mg.(3)and nortriptyline at night to help me sleep (but does not help much ).I also take other meds for other health problems. I was able to work for ten years before I quit my full time job and moved to the Philadelphia area where my husband's company had transferred. I had slowly been losing my skills (I was an executive medical secretary at Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.) I tried to get a job at my new home and no one would hire me because I dould not pass typing and shorthand tests or other basic aptitude tests beca use I would get nervous and start shaking and just generally fall apart. So I decided to work for a temporary agency (Kelly Services). I tried to explain to the counselor there that I might have some difficulty(I wanted to be honest with her but she just brushed it aside and told me she was sure that would not interfere with anything she would send me to)but she proceeded to send me out on assignments for assembly line jobs, stocking and inventory, envelope stuffing etc. I really tried to do these jobs but the problem was that they would not allow me to take breaks to take my medication on time and so I developed bradykenisias to the point that they all laid me off due to "laziness". So I documented this very carefully and the temporary service finally refused to send me out on any further jobs. This period of my life was very humiliating to me and the only reason I am relating this to you is because I know that many of you that have this disease have undergone this same type of embarrasseme. IOMy physician at this point told me to apply for my disability. I had this approved on the first try mainly I think because I had documented all of these jobs that I lost very carefully. I would still like to work but it is not possible. However I became very involved in support groups when we returned to Houston in l990. I went to meetings almost every day. I helped get a young onset group started and then my husband was recalled and sent to Pittsburgh. I now drive to other towns in Western Pennsylvania to support group meetings, I now have two support groups that I lead, I am actively involved and trying to do my part to get the Udall bill passed. I recently lobbyed my congressional representative and with Jim Cordy (our chapter president) helping he joined the list of cosponsors of the bill. The sole reason I have told you this is because I believe that you as well as many other patients have had similar experiences and I understand how devastating this disease is but we have to fight this disease everyday and at the same time respect whatever true limitations we have . We did not choose to have Parkinson's disease but we can choose how we live with it. I choose to live every day fighting back and filling my days with laughter. Best of luck to you Liangshiu Lee. Please email me anytime I can help by answering any questions. Carol Gray <[log in to unmask]>