I couldn't agree more with Carole and I think Murray would too.  Everyone is
different and you can't make a decision for yourself based on what others'
experiences have been.  All you can do is try it and if it works for you,
there's your decision.

I had a bad experience with Permax, similar to Carole's - chest pain,
trouble breathing, acid reflux.  Yet I know others who have been on it for
years.   I wouldn't recommend it  based on my experience; someone else would
say -it's fine for me.

Sorry to be clear as mud - I hope you find your personal answer.

Good luck,
Paula Wittekind




----- Original Message -----
From: "Carole Hercun" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2003 12:58 PM
Subject: Re: Permax?


> Good Morning.
>
> Far be for me  to take issue with you, Murr, as I am your biggest fan
BUT ------------------one most always keep in mind that when dealing with
meds it's "different stokes for different folks." And  "start low and go
slow."
>
> Speaking as a PWP - I had to be weaned off of Permax because I was
constantly out-of-breath and wheezing. This improved significantly when I
switched agonists.
>
> Speaking as an R.N. -  I remember a tudy a few years back by a
pharmaceutical company comparing the side-effect profile of their new
neuroleptic against that of the older drugs. One of the older drugs used was
Mellarill, a old psychiatric standby, supposedly one of the safest drugs.
When in doubt, we always used Mellarill. Guess what they found out?
Something totally unexpected. Good old Mellarill had serious csrdiac
side-effects. S.S.R.I.'s like Prozac were initially marketed as having
little to no side-effects. As we know now, not true.
>
> What does this mean? EVERY medication will produce a significant
side-effect in SOMEBODY. Shall we stop taking Meds? I have Parkinson's and
Crohn's and take 7 different ones. One of the terms for beginning a new drug
is "trial." You have to test the med-preferably at a moderate dose to
start -on YOU (because we are all unique) and  then decide with your doctor
if it is right one for you.
>
> Don't be afraid of being your own advocate. If you cannot tolerate the
S/Es of a particular med, say so loud and clear. On the other hand, don't be
so afraid they don't take your medication and let the quality of your life
suffer.
>
> Now I will get off my soapbox. Before I wear out my welcome.
>
> Carole Hercun
>
> Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> On 10 Aug 2003 at 10:06, Roberta Innarella wrote:
>
> I will be starting Permax (pergolide) soon and all of these postings are
> making me nervous. I already have a cardiomyopathy. Exactly what is an
ergot
> derivitive? Roberta
>
> -------------
>
> Hi Roberta,
>
> Permax is an old established drug, so it should be OK...
>
> It might be a good idea to ask your dr. to order a baseline chest xray...
>
> ergot derivitive?
> The ergot comes from a mold on rye (the grain not the drink)
>
> Ergot: A plant alkaloid produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea.
>
> Ergot-derived medication: A medication that has a chemical structure based
on ergot, a plant alkaloid produced by a
> fungus called Claviceps purpurea. Permax® and Parlodel® are examples of
ergot-derived medications that may be used to
> treat certain neurologic movement disorders.
> http://www.wemove.org/glossary/
>
> You can look up the drug on Medline...
>
> Go to:
> http://www.geocities.com/murraycharters/
>
> click on Ref
>
> click on MEDLINEplus - Drug Information
>
> Type Permax in the Search box
>
> Scroll way down to Drug Information
>
> There are two pergolide hyper-links indicating two suppliers
>
> Click on each one and read/print the page ...
>
> Go back to the Ref page
>
> click on On-Line Medical Dictionary
>
> type ergot in the search box
>
> or ... type ergot derivative in the search box
>
> And the bottom line is...
>
> Be sure to discuss your concerns with your attending professional
>
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