Hi Bill,
I liked your letter, I am on Sinemet 25/100 two times a day and .25 mg
of Requip three times a day. I just started to run, 3/4 of a mile last Aug.
and now am up to 4 to 6 miles three or four times a week. I found that if I
take a pill called Valerian Root thirty minutes before I run along with the
rest of my meds and vitas. I do quit well. I was DX a little over two years
ago and am 52 years of age. I feel great after a run, even though sometimes
my right leg get a bit stiff and my right arm also. You will be back to your
long distant running before you know it. Janice 52/50/46
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Innanen <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2000 1:07 PM
Subject: Let's hear it for Requip! (was: Lets hear it for Sinemet)
> PARKINSN friends,
>
> To add a contrary voice to this discussion, as to whether it is
> good/not good to avoid Sinemet early in the progression of PD, let me
> relate my experiences.
>
> I'm 55 and have been diagnosed with PD for just under two months.
> Looking back with 20-20 hindsight I can see symptoms almost 2 years
> ago. I was (and maybe will be again) a long distance runner. Under
> the stress of running *any* physical problem manifests itself sooner.
> *All* of my early symptoms occurred while running. In fact, the
> thing that finally drove me to a neurologist was a problem with my
> left leg while running which in my ignorance I called a "leg-lock."
> The neurologist called it dystonia, and combined with a tremor in my
> left hand were the core of the diagnosis. (There was more to it than
> that, of course.)
>
> For the first month he had me on selegiline only. When I saw him the
> second time, he was going to let it go at that since, other than
> while running, my symptoms are at the nuisance level. I bitched and
> moaned (as only a thwarted runner can) and he started me on Requip.
> I'm sill in the dosage build-up stage. In fact, I have yet to
> complete my second week of the drug. I'm currently on 1.5 mg/day and
> will go to 2.25 mg/day next Wednesday.
>
> Having said that, I can see a turnaround in my symptoms while running
> already. Yesterday and today (1/15 & 1/16) I've noted a definite
> improvement. Who knows if it will continue. Knock on wood. <Bill
> raps self on skull>
>
> But for now, I say, *Let's hear it for Requip!*
>
> Best,
> Bill
>
> PS - If you want the details see the most recent entries in my
> on-line diary at:
>
> http://bill.innanen.com/parkinsons/current.shtml#bottom
> --
> Bill Innanen <mailto: [log in to unmask]>
> <http://Bill.Innanen.com> & <http://mni.ms>
>
