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Dear Ellen and List: I think this served as a little warning, so to speak NOT to try experimental things at home. Actually, there was news not too long ago that nicotine was being looked at to see if it would help PWP (if I recall, it was discussed on the list several times). I know when I inquired about it, I was told that the nicotine form being studied was not in the same form as the nicotine patch that one can buy over the counter. Also, please remember that specific dosages of the nicotine patch are given to heavy smokers trying to quit and those doses might just have a toxic effect on non-smokers. Perhaps that is why you had such a violent reaction. Even though it seems like it takes forever for such studies to come to a conclusion, it really is for the benefit of the people that will eventually take the drug. There are so many factors that have to be considered for someone to participate in a legitimate drug study, things you may not even have given a second thought to. While I don't have PD, I am the daughter of a person with Parkinson's and I know how frustrated you all feel waiting and waiting for that miraculous breakthrough. My mother asks me each time she speaks with me (daily) "is there is anything new?" as far as the potential cure for PD. I wish I could tell her and all of you "yes", but it's just not so at this point. I just hate to think of anyone possibly causing harm to themselves by practicing amateur medicine at home. Sincerely, Bonnie Cunningham, R.N. NPF Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 12:48:24 EDT From: Ellen Jablonski <[log in to unmask]> Subject: PD--my experiment with Nicotine patch. A news blurb recently said that a nicotine patch worn for 12 hours would ease the symptoms of TOURETTES for about a week, and they continued that Tourettes involves "INVOLUNTARY MOTIONS" (ring any bells?). I scored a single patch from someone trying to quit smoking (otherwise it's about $50 for smallest supply at pharmacy OTC) and waited till my CG was home to try it in case of reaction. Within 1/2 hour I was extremely woozy and got down on the floor before I'd fall there. I also had nausea. IT WAS NOT COMFORTABLE AT ALL. I'd much prefer the shaking etc. The PUNCH LINE is the next day I saw/read something about Zyban (the pill used for stopping smoking. The following day it dawned on me: I'm on 'WELLBUTRIN" for depression (I've tried all the others, let's see if this one works--intellectually I'm way beyond this 'trauma', but my emotions aren't keeping up). Wellbutrin is the same as Zyban, but marketed towards smokers. That may explain my adverse reaction. FYI, Ellen