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Just a note of greeting to introduce myself. I am a 60 year old program director at a large university in New York City. I'm also married and the mother of three adult children. I had always enjoyed good health and an active lifestyle until February 1996 when I was placed on Depekote for prevention of frequent migraines. Shortly thereafter I began to experience tremors in my right hand. The neurologist spent several indecisive months trying to make a diagnosis, vacillating between multiple sclerosis and PD. He insisted a lumbar puncture was needed to make a conclusive diagnosis -- I refused to consent to the procedure. After eight months, impatient with his inability to make a diagnosis, I went for a consultation with the Motion Disorder Group at Columbia Presbyterian's Neurolgical Institute where I was diagnosed almost immediately as having PD. Subsequently I became part of a double blind study evaluating the relative side effects of pramipexole and sinemet. I do not know which I am taking and will not know until the two year study ends. I seem to be benefiting from the medication however since the tremor is gone and I am able to write legibly and perform all activities of daily living without difficulty. Right now, except for an occasional tremor, I feel like my old self. I know that this will not continue indefinitely but I plan to enjoy this interlude of well-being for as long as it lasts. I look forward to my association with the Parkinsn Digest. I know that I will learn a great deal from your individual experiences and collective wisdom. [log in to unmask] (Carole Smith)