Joel, I'm also new to the family and also in the early stages. I am on 100mg of Amantadine (at morning at at lunch time), and half of a 100/10 Sinemet (at morning and at dinner time). The Amantadine seems to help me move better, and if the Sinemet is taken before meals it helps a bit too. I had problems with dry mouth when I changed from one to two daily capsules of Amantadine, but this went away after a week or so. I have no problems with swelling, so I can't help you there. My wife says that my memory has improved since starting on the medication in Jan 99. I wish I could help you more. Best of luck! Gilles Cloutier [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Joel Eschmann [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 1999 2:49 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Medication Hi Everyone. I have recently found out that I am in the early stages of Parkinson's. I am doing ok but so far I just have some tremors in my right hand and a mild tremor in my left hand. The medication that I am on is making me feel kinda disconnected and I still have the tremor. I am taking 100 mg of Amantadine once a day along with 5 mg of Eldepryl twice a day. I also take Artane, 2 mg in the morning and evening and 1.5 at lunch. The Amatadine caused swelling in my hands and feet and the doctor cut back on it. I started to get a dry mouth and the disconnected feeling when the doctor increased the Artane. Anyone taking these drugs out there and are you feeling the same side effects. I have tremors in my right hand which forces me to use my left hand when eating. I have my office laid out so that my whole right arm rests on the desk and this allows me to use my mouse without any shacking. What I have not started is dealing with the depression that yet may be another pill with additional side effects. Work is ok but I find myself struggling some time with writing memos and some memory loss. I have to keep lots of notes and use the E-mail that works well. My wife wants me to quit my job next year and move to out Lake Home in Northern Wisconsin and find some kinda work there till I can collect Social Security. I am 57 and I still need to work till I can use some of my 401K savings at 59.5. years old. One of my concerns is Health Care Insurance which is hard to find on some jobs in the Northern part of the state. We will have to think about this move some more. I enjoy reading the E-mail on the Exchange and it has helped me to understand Parkinson's. I have set up my computer at work to accept both my work and home E-mail and this way I can keep track of all that is going on on the network. Well I have babbled enough. Joel Eschmann