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Suzanne, Let me add my voice to the now deafening chorus saying take the sinemet if you need it. Like my friend Dennis says you can stop it if something else is later prescribed and the drug is better than the alternatives. The immediate side effects- nausea, low blood pressure when standing etc. are not problems in most (but certainly not all) younger people. The concern is the long term side effect dyskinesia which is a problem for many if not most of us yet it is MUCH better than the alternative- severe rigidity. You may want to ask your doctor about agonists like Requip (Ropinerole) and pramipexole. These can substitute for Sinemet and at least in theory delay the onset of dyskinesia. You might also ask your neurologist about a consult with a movement disorders specialist he would recommend in your area. Good luck and if you are symptomatic there is an excellent chance that either the sinemet or the agonist will bring you almost total relief at least for the next several years. Charlie Suzanne M Weiler wrote: > dear list, > > my name is sue and i have been lurking here almost since my diagnosis > > last december. i am 51 yrs old. i just had my second visit with my neuro last > > thursday. he thinks its time for sinimet. he has prescribed 25/100--one tablet > > in the am for one week, then one tablet twice a day thereafter. > > i filled the prescription and it has been sitting on my kitchen > counter next > > to my vitamins and hormones for a whole week. i guess i need some hand > > holding. how do you start taking something that (in spite of being the gold > > standard) is apt to cause all kinds of nasty side effects? > > i work full time in a gift shop where my tremor is affecting my fine > motor > > skills. there has been marked progression in the last year. > > you guys give great advice, and it's always given with such love and > > concern. i know you understand how i feel. so i'm hopping you'll be > > able to give me the kick in the pants i need to get started. -- ****************************************************************************************** Charles T. Meyer, M.D. Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin [log in to unmask] ******************************************************************************************