Dan,
Where is your father and where are you?
We have a reasonably active PD support group here in Madison.
Your question about Mirapex and l-dopa is a
good one. Most (many) neurologists feel that the longer one can
hold off the use of l-dopa the better. Mirapex is an agonist of
dopamine. It acts as dopamine (to which l-dopa is converted to in the
brain.) But it is supposedly less likely to cause dyskinesias 0--
which are random movements which are difficult to control (except by
surgery). If the Mirapex is helping a lot he should stay on it but if
he has any significant problem with the drug he should consider adding
l-dopa. It sounds as though he is getting some reasonably good
advice.
Charlie
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2000 10:58
PM
Subject: My Dad was just
diagnosed
My father was diagnosed about a week
ago. He is taking a drug called Mirapex. I guess that this drug
is about 2 years old. He lives in Illinois and he needs to be active
all the time - he worksout every other day. My question is - does
anybody have any information about this drug? and what about the drug called
levodpa? I have heard that l-dopa wears off after a few years which is
why he is taking Mirapex? Any comments will be great.
Thanks for the newsletters on Web sites for
PD. My Dad does not have a computer so I need to gather as much
information on this as I can.
Thanks!
Dan in
Wisconsin
