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I have been a member of the List for about a year now, but have only been a "reader" so far. Everytime I read a message that I felt I had an answer to, someone beat me to the answer, so I have not tried to contribute. However, your question regarding instances where both husband and wife had PD, prompts me to answer. My wife and I are both 71 and were both diagnosed with PD within 6 months of each other in 1995. So that makes us both 71/2. From what I have been able to determine, Conjugal Parkinsonism is not a rare occurance, but is not too uncommon. Dr. Stewart A. Factor of Albany Medical College in Alabny, NY is doing a study on the subject. We recently submitted our medical histories to him for inclusion in the research. My wife is on Sinemet CR and I am on Sinemet regular and CR and Permax. My wife's PD has progressed somewhat faster than mine. She reguires a cane to get around and has lost more mobility. My main sympton up to this point is tremors of the legs and some difficulty in speaking and swallowing. We are still able to maintain daily living activities by helping each other. Especially helping each other dress. We do not purchase shirts or blouses that have to be put on over the head. We both see the same neruologist, but he is not a specialist in PD. Here in Southern Illinois, we don't have many specialists. We have to go to St. Louis, MO or Pudacah, KY or Springfield, IL for special medical needs. We recently considered selling our house and moving into an apartment, but decided that we are better off, financially, to stay in the house as long as we can possible do so. Even if we have to hire help in mowing the lawn or having help come in a few hours each week to help in keeping the house clean. It does worry us sometimes what will happen if and when we both reach the point of being unable to help each other. Right now we are just living a day at a time and enjoying each day we are still able to meet our daily living requirements and having some fun, too. We recently visited Louisville, KY to visit my wife's aunt and this week spent 4 days in St. Louis providing help and support to a cousin and his wife as he was being diagnosed with terminal cancer. If you have any specific questions you can direct them to me on the list or directly via e-mail. Athel Tanner 804 S. Duncan St. Marion, IL 62959 Phone: (618)993-8262 [log in to unmask]