Jeanette, This is one of the things which had occupied my mind also. I was diagnosed at 46, and my family has a history of living into their 90's. Do I have 40 to 50 years of this disorder to live with? Will it really cut me short somewhere in my 60's? I do not know right now which sounds worse, less time to live with pd or more time to suffer with pd. I am real shaky today and this theme is wandering around in my head. Only 20 more years? or 50 more years of shaking and freezing and hurting? Jacob, I want a cure, too, NOW. don't forget how to laugh (and do it often) Marling McReynolds 49/3 [log in to unmask] http://members.tripod.com/~marling