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I have been off list for some months due to problems. There is now a question as to whether I even have PD. I am taking 1-1/2 Sinemet regular 10/100 & 1/2 SinemetCR 50/200............ at 8:00 am, noon, 4:00 pm, &8:00 pm. I'm going to go to Mayo, & the doctor there wants me to taper off the Sinemet entirely over a 2 week period, be off of it entirely the 3rd week, & see him the 4th week. My ?PD seems to be the rigidity type, as there are times when I'm at the end of a dose & can't move my fingers enough to type. There is numbness on my left side, which gets worse & spreads to my right side occasionally. Sometimes my left hand "claws", left big toe sticks up, other toes dig into the floor. Sure sounds like PD! But my gait is always OK when I see the doctor, & that's what has the docs questioning. The Sinemet helps my symptoms. It seems they are wondering whether my problems could be the side-effects of other meds, plus anxiety. My other regular meds are 80mg reg. Verapamil 3 times per day for migraine, &30mg Paxil for anxiety/depression. I'm afraid! My worry is that I will be so stiff & miserable. I understand that that's the length of time needed for the Sinemet to be out of my system. I remember something from the past about the short term effects of Sinemet, & the long term effects. I am concerned, too, because I don't have much of a support system nearby. I don't know exactly what to ask you folks, but would appreciate any input you could give me on what to expect, and maybe how to cope. M.Dawn 56/6