Earl was diagnosed 7 years ago and we are told by his Doctor he could have started 10 years earlier. She said you don't notice problems till you have lost significant amount of dopamine in your brain.

Because the doctor is reluctant to put me on Sinemet before it's absolutely necessary, I was started on an older drug called Selegeline in the form of a patch changed every 24 hrs. It was originally used as an MAOI antidepressant years ago, but was found to treat PD rather well. It is new as a patch but before Levodopa it was the gold standard for treating Parkinson's. Soon I will need Sinemet, but for now the selegiline patch, known as EMSAM has been working very well for me. And it also treats the depression and anxiety which can be part of PD. And the best part is I have had no major, or even minor, side-effects. You might ask your doctor and/or psychiatrist about the possibility for yourselves.

Sorry, ,above answer should read for two years now...

I've been taking C/L for years now and mirepex since 2009 when I was diagnosed. Now I'm allergic to mirepex so I will be taking Neupro with the C/L. Everybody has different reaction to PD and meds so you may need the 8mg. Also, it depends on how long you have had PD. You should speak with your dr.

I take the pills 4 times a day along with the patch. I think the patch may be more of a crutch to get me through the night. I was diagnosed with PD IN 2013. I really don't know how long I've had it. We thought originally that it was essential tremor.