This is so interesting, Anne. Thank you so much for somehow thinking of the rest of us when you are in such terrible shape. I really hope that by now you are getting some relief in the hospital.

My husband and I spent quite a bit of time looking at the presentation. The best piece of information is that I may not need as much sinemet at one time as I take now. Maybe it doesn't take as much to get me above the threshold. I've wondered what taking a half tablet would be like - would I only get half the relief?

I phoned my neuro's office to discuss changing from my sustained release sinemet to regular so I could cut them in half. The nurse I talked to was very helpful, and once she understood what I wanted, told me that sustained release becomes regular if you chew them. I took my third dose at my usual 3:00 pm - chewed the whole thing because I still had a bunch of people to see and was afraid the half dose might not work well enough. I felt great until about 8:00 - right now at 8:45 I'm stiffer on my left side than I've ever been, really very uncomfortable. I'm going to wait until my usual 10:00 to take a sustained release tablet for the night. Tomorrow, it's half doses all day to see what happens.

The treadmill often loosens me up, so I'm off to walk for a mile and hopefully loosen up a bit.

I am so sorry to hear of your difficulties. I know how bad and scary akinesia can be. This too shall pass.
Have you discussed a lead relocation with Dr. Benebid???
Perhaps that would help, or a third IPG into a different part of the brain?

In any event I will pray for you.

Charlie Black , YAhoo groups, DBS Surgery group founder.