I appreciate your follow up post, @wagross. I'm glad that you have seen an improvement in your symptoms with the Carbidopa/Levodopa. That is a good thing. I can understand your reasons for not getting the DATscan at this point. I'm sure it is something that could be done at a later date if you and your doctor felt it was necessary.

Regarding your walking problem. When I was first diagnosed, walking/gait was my main difficulty as well. As this is a new diagnosis for you, it might be very helpful if you were to call your doctor's office and request a referral for physical therapy. There are physical therapists who are specifically trained to help PD patients.

Exercise, along with medication tend to be a good combination for delaying disability from Parkinson's. Until you begin physical therapy for PD, please take a look at the many YouTube videos available at no cost. On YouTube you can search for exercises for PD and find many different exercise programs. While a lot of them are seated/chair exercises, I have found them quite helpful.

Will you continue to post with any questions and to provide updates?