Accumlative Effect of Sinemet?

[Ron Reiner <rreiner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi:

I have a general question that I hope folks can shed some light on.  My
understanding is that after about five years of Sinemet therapy, many PDers
begin showing seri           oussideeffects.Youreadaboutthemallofthetime
here.  My question is whether these reactions are due to some accumulated
toxins in (i.e., damage from) the Sinemet.  Or, are these side effects
simply due to the fact that after five years the degradation due to PD
itself make the Sinemet more volatile?

Let me pose this question in different ways:

1.  If I start taking sinemet 7 years after diagnosis, can I expect the side
effects to show up immediately or will it take another five years?  Or will
it take two years?

2.  If PDer A takes half the dose of PDer B, will PDer A take longer to show
the side effects?  If one train leaving Chicago at 60 miles per hour and
another leaving Baltimore .................

3.  I (as well as a lot of other recent diagnosees ) am making every attempt
to delay starting Sinemet as long as possible.  Am I deluding myself?

Have there been any formal studies on this issue?

                Ron Reiner (rreiner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) 48 + 7mos PD