Originally Posted by lindylanka

I find that whenever I look at this question and try to apply it to my experience of 8 years on l-dopa, I come up against other questions......

Not toxic?
It bought me time to bring up my son. It gave me back a lot of functionality that I was losing quite fast. Without it I become someone I do not recognise as my self.

Is Toxic?
There are side effects I don't like. These range from physical to non-motor, and the fluctuations make everything feel unreal. I should be used to them by now, but I don't think I ever will be.

Is this toxicity? I am not sure.

is it making me better or worse?
On the whole I think better.
In the long term, I don't know.

Is it killing, or maintaining my brain cells?
Neither I nor anyone else seems to be able to answer this.
The argument goes both ways, the studies show both.
I am not a scientist. My only proof is who I am.

At the moment it is still my best friend, but I am wary.
It is showing signs of being erratic, and difficult.
I am not sure when it might turn against me.

I think that is not the same thing as toxicity....
Toxic is poisonous. A killer. I do not think it is killing things.
I think it is co-opting my cells to work against me, but slowly.
Tricking me into thinking it is on my side.....
Not such a good friend as I once thought.