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Joan Dykstra wrote: > > I have been trying to put off the PD drugs as long as I can, but my left side > tremor is sometimes almost unbearable. I say "almost" only because I have > survived it, but when I have a migraine the tremor increases dramatically and > I sometimes think I cannot bear it any longer. I have been on Eldepryl only > for eight years. I know some of you think that to be martyrdom > > Hello Joan. I wish I could question whoever it was who so scared you about the deadly power of Sinemet that you have been prepared to suffer so much. I don't want to mislead you, so I must tell you that even neurologists do not all agree on this subject, but there are many neurologists who now subscribe as I do, to the theory that whatever you do to delay the introduction of Sinemet in the early years, it will not affect in the slightest what happens in the later years. In fact, I think even those who cling to the theory that you are storing up credit for the future by not using Sinemet would agree that it is time you started to allow yourself some of that credit. It comes down to the quality of life that you are prepared to put up with. A further incentive to start eating your cake now rather than subject yourself to such discomfort by storing it up for the future, is ( and I don't think I am being wildly optimistic when I say this) that Research is moving forward at such a pace, and on so many separate fronts, that in five to ten years there will be treatments available which effectively allow PWPs to function as well as a non- sufferer, and quite possibly Sinemet itself will be obsolete. As a final point for you to think about, what could be more logical to treat a condition in which your brain has a dopamine deficiency than to take tablets containing - dopamine. It is as simnple as that: the complications arise because of our imperfect methods of delivery of the replacement dopamine. Regards, -- Brian Collins <[log in to unmask]>