Hi everyone. I am new to this site but in reading through saw some very good advise. I was diagnosed with parkinsonism 3 months ago and started on Sinemet. The Sinemet stopped the falling, freezing, slurring of words, and most of my mental confusion (calling things by the wrong name, etc.). Unfortunately today when I saw my neurologist for the 3rd time, I had brought a diary of my experiences such as extreme weakness and fatigue, and especially bad after going to the gyn and doing my usual workout (either swimming for a half hour or doing the floor machines and 20 min of cardio). I also expressed concern regarding the shaking of my hands. I had no tremor until recently when under a great deal of stress when I had my legs crossed, I had a tremor of the right leg (left leg over right), it was very fast and kind of funny to watch. My husband said stop it, relax; and I said I am not doing it, it was doing it by itself.

Well to shorten the story. The neurologist emphatically stated that the Sinemet would not cause my hand to shake and the leg tremor was just a stress reaction, and the rest of my complaints (side effects) were psychosomatic and that I needed to see a psychiatrist.

I was furious. For one thing I knew the side effects of Sinemet and I was having most of them. I dismissed her as my doctor and sent her a copy of the printed side effects of Sinemet and told her to to review them.

So here I am, going off Sinemet now cold turkey. I have been told to see another doctor but how does one start over when the Sinemet has made improvement in the gait, etc. How can they verify that you have PD when the presenting symptoms have been masked by the Sinemet.

I have not had any Sinemet now since Sunday night at 8 p.m., and I feel really great. I have noticed I am a little hyper but I don't have any of the trembling that I usually had.

Sorry to be so long winded but I really needed to get this out and see if others have experienced similar episodes.