Hi Joan, My massage therapist told me to try it. She said that it would help relax my muscles when I run so I tried it and it does work. Valerian root is a herbal extract, it is suppose to help in relaxation and restful sleep. I just take one and the dose on the bottle said to take two at night time. It does not make me sleepy. I have an valerian root tea at night to help with my sleep problems. It seems to relax me in the evenings. Janice 52/50/46 ----- Original Message ----- From: Joan Hartman <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2000 7:27 PM Subject: Re: Let's hear it for Requip! (was: Lets hear it for Sinemet) > Hi Janice.......if valerian root is a sedative, how does it help you and how > did you know to take it. Joan > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Janice Morgan <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2000 2:14 PM > Subject: Re: Let's hear it for Requip! (was: Lets hear it for Sinemet) > > > > 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> > > > > > >