Maybe its right under our noses. This falls under the category it seems too simple. Google the words "Parkinson's and nicotine." Granted, I didn't read all the material I uncovered, which is way over my head, but all the article titles indicate that nicotine has a protective factor that keeps smokers from getting PD or might slow the progression. Has there been any research conducted on the nicoderm patch and PWP? Have any parkies who have used the patch notice a decline in their symptoms?
More recently a new way to wean people off cigarettes has been introduced. The electronic cigarette, or as it is also called, the tobacco free-cigarette(its not actually a cigarette they are are cartridges one draws nicotine from ) has hit the shelves. It removes the tar and impurities but it delivers a shot of nicotine to the brain, maybe just what we parkies need. Remember some of our great discoveries were made by accident.

people called me 'dragon lady,' i smoked so much! for 13 years, averaging about a pack a day, i would guess.

I tried, I really tried!

there are exceptions to every rule, but geez, it would have been nice to have something *good* come of having done all that smoking...'course, i might still be smoking if i hadn't developed PD - it really exacerbated my symptoms - couldn't walk and smoke at the same time because my tripping and stumbling spiked as soon as i had my first puff.

oh well.

There has been studies on nicotine and alcohol..I smoked 3 packs a day for 26 years, and quit 15 years ago

I drank alcoholicly for 23 years, and quit 19 years ago

I began to get symptoms 7 years ago

The patch is an interesting thought, if the study is a reality, and not a statistical fantasy

Having said that..In my case, if I had not stopped smoking and drinking I would probably been dead from it a long ago

So, either way, I lose..Thats a hard thought to entertain..Ending up with pd because I quit smoking and drinking

Sometimes you just cant win

Yes, we use the nicoderm patch, began with 14mg and are now on the 21mg patch...it does help with symptoms, like mood and constipation, but we have definitely progressed, more quickly in the last few months it seems, even though we began the patch pretty much immediately after dx 3.5 years ago.

My husband says it helps "even things out", and it he doesn't take it, or forgets, his day is much more difficult. I really cannot say if it has slowed down progression or not, wish I could. We still use it, but recently read an article that indicated nicotine could actually be bad for the brain, so we are considering dropping it (boy, that will be HARD!).

IF you decide to use the patch, you MUST remember to take if off several hours before bedtime otherwise you will not be able to get to sleep. Another warning: when you put it on, it can really make you nauseous, so be sure you can lie down until it gets into your system. My husband still gets queasy when he puts it on, and he's been using it pretty much for the whole PD journey...so good luck.

PS...we also take Low Dose Naltrexone which has really slowed progression for some folks, but for us, nada. Still take it though, hoping...

You might find older info. using search terms - Inversine or Mecamylamine

I personally would be particularly careful and cautious in interpreting some of the information available. It is quite a tangled web indeed.

Years back there was a flurry of information that came out regarding nicotine and it's use in reducing tics in Tourette's Syndrome. A few case studies appeared suggesting amazing results. However, many years later these single case study results were not replicated in the first clinical trial. [Neal Swerdlow - Tourette syndrome: Current controversies and the battlefield landscape]

http://www.targacept.com/wt/page/pr_1090262492

Just my thoughts... please use caution and investigate thoroughly.

...and take 1,200mg of Q10 a day; I appear to have much milder symptoms than other 'parkies' I meet of the same or lesser vintage than my own 6 years since diagnosis. Obviously there are many uncontrolled variables here, but I can say that a lung-full of nicotine dosed water vapour makes me feel much, much better. More importantly, it looks cool.

Hey Dude! Like the hat!

Looks like we both intend to 'get ahead'—sorry.

Mine may be headed for the bin though. My partner, Jane, and I were out shopping in Nottingham when a young woman (early 20s and very attractive) stopped us and then said to me, "I just love your hat." I know it sounds like a middle-aged bloke's fantasy, but it really happened—honest! Anyway, I desperately played it down, and Jane didn't seem to mind, but...

I'm never without it now.

Good luck with yours.

Cheers,
Ian.