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Peter Williams wrote: > I am 50 ... diagnosed 2 years ago ... need to work at least 5 more > years ... not disclosed my illness to my employer ... suspect at > least some of my co-workers have noticed changes in my gait.... > read ... effectiveness of sinemet varies on average from 2-5 years > before side-effects become an issue.... Everyone's symptoms and rate of progression differ somewhat, but the info is useful as a ball-park estimate. I was diagnosed in 1990 and on sinemet within 2 years after that. I have some dyskinesia, but it is not an "issue" in terms of the work I do (involves using a computer keyboard). I think effectiveness of sinemet depends on stage of disease, not length of use. If I were in your stage of PD, I would investigate enrolling in a clinical trial of riluzole (trade name Rilutek), a glutimate antagonist which can retard ALS and which is being tested for a similar effect on PD, as a way of possibly receiving this medicine before it is released. I would also investigate anti-oxidents and other so-called "free-radical scavangers" for possible neuroprotection. My neurologist Dr. Fazzini suggests Coenzyme Q10, glutathione, NADH and ginko biloba as possibly useful. I have started grape seed extract (too recently to notice a difference.) If people at work notice your symptoms, it might be worth telling your employer that you have PD but are not in need of ADA accommodations at this time, just so no one will think you have a different problem than PD and draw incorrect conclusions. This could be important if work performance is later affected. Phil Tompkins Hoboken NJ age 61/dx 1990