Dear Donna - you wrote:

>In the commotion of the wedding my mother forgot to give him his third
>Sinemet
>(it was also late by the time we got dinner) and she noticed that he did
>much better that night - even managed to stay at the recpetion and talk to
>other relatives... so she decided to play with the meds -
>I'm not crazy about this - but from what I've read here most of you do this
>too.

>So now she's giving him 2 Sinemet tabs - but 1/2 at a time 4 times a day ...
>and he does seem a little better.

Hang in there.  You're on the right track.  Remember, these drugs aren't
going to "cure" anything, and unlike antibiotics or drugs with dangerous or
fatal side effects, they don't have to be taken in exactly X quantity.  No
one knows your dad's body like he and the family do.  The evidence is in how
he feels.

Clearly, you and your family were right in thinking it's the Sinemet.  Sounds
to me like the neurologist is one of those "God" doctors who doesn't like to
be wrong, and doesn't like to admit anyone can know as much or more than he
does.  Believe me, there are a lot of those doctors out there, and
neurologists (some of them) may be among the worst.
Rest assured that if your dad were going to our neuro, a reknowned movement
disorder specialist, he'd tell you to do exactly what you're doing now.

When your dad starts the Mirapex, be aware that he may have to cut down his
Sinemet immediately, but then again, he may not.  The answer will be in the
kinds of symptoms he gets and how he feels when he takes that first Mirapex.


Best of luck to you.  Margie Swindler      [log in to unmask]