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The comments from Ms Lee-Rosner of the PDF are helpful, yet, I feel it is important to emphasize that the views she expressed that "many scientists feel" that it is best to start therapy with agonists MUST be counterbalanced by the converse fact that many (other) scientists do not agree with that feeling. The notion that delaying the use of Sinemet "can delay - or possibly even prevent" the onset of certain side effects from Sinemet is speculative at best, and certainly not universally accepted by all scientists or Parkinson disease experts. It is well accepted and promulgated by the drug companies who sell the dopamine agonists. Indeed, it is a cornerstone of their propaganda, together with the notion that levodopa is "toxic." Jorge A Romero, MD ----- Original Message ----- From: Parkinson's Disease Foundation <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 10:40 AM Subject: Re: Pergolide without Levodopa > Many individuals utilize agonist therapy as a mono therapy - especially in > the earlier stages of the disorder. In fact, many scientists feel that the > best way to start pharmacologic therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's > disease symptoms is with agonists rather than Sinemet. By delaying Sinemet > therapy for as long as possible (how long will depend on the patient's > symptoms and how much or little they interfere with the activities of daily > living) and then using it as a secondary drug to compliment the benefits of > the agonists, patients can delay - or possibly even prevent - the onset of > certain side effects from Sinemet that are more commonly seen in the > long-term, higher dosage users. > > If you are experiencing side effects from the pergolide yet not seeing > benefit to your PD symptoms, it is possible that you are not at a sufficient > dose to make a positive difference. The problem is that you are already > experiencing side effects. Thus, a trial of another of the agonists might > be something to discuss with your prescribing neurologist as one of the > others now available may offer (better) benefit with fewer side effects. > > Jeanne Lee-Rosner > PDF-Chicago > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Jim Wiles <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 1:41 PM > Subject: Pergolide without Levodopa > > > > Hi, has any PWP tried using an agonist such as Pergolide without Levodopa. > > I started the increasing dosage from 0 to 0.75 mgrams as prescribed and > have > > subsequently increased the dosage by 0.25 mgrams per week over the last > > month. I have now reached a total dose of 1.75 mgrams per day and > although > > I am getting many of the side affects nausea, dizziness, etc the benefits > > are missing. I wonder if I am increasing the dose too fast/slow or is the > > level still too low to give any benefits? Has anybody successfully used > > agonists without Levodopa ? > > > > > > Cheers Jim > > 59/49/48 > > >