The choice between Mirapex and Requip or any of the PD medications is often a gamble. What works well for one person may be ineffective or perhaps too potent for another person. It is virtually impossible to determine how well someone will respond to one of these medications before they take it. I know I've spoken to many people who have tried one or the other of these agonists and because of a poor response to the medication or because of an adverse effect, they subsequently went off the drug. Too often, some of these people are reluctant to "try" a different agonist, even though it is a good possibility that it may help. I do not know if you are seeing Dr. Kishner right now or a different neurologist, but it might help for you to talk about it with him / her.

By the way, Dr. Abraham Lieberman is speaking tonight at the NPF Young Onset group at North Ridge Hospital in Fort Lauderdale. I hope both you and Alison will be there. It would be a great time to ask him questions, such as the question you pose here. He's very easy to talk to and will answer your questions.

Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2000 10:20:41 EDT
From: Fran Landes <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: 1st time writing - Please Respond: Mirapex vs. Requip

Dear List Members,

Please respond to a two part question as I am experiencing difficulty and am
reluctant to take more medication than necessary. I am 46, diagnosed at 45
and in retrospect probably having symptoms for past 5 years.

I was diagnosed over a year ago and am now taking:

(1) 100mg. tablet of Amantadine and

(1/2) of .25 mg. of Mirapex in the morning and
the other (1/2) of the same .25 mg. pill in the afternoon.

My neurologist wants me to increase the Mirapex to (1) pill 3 x per day. I
am doing so very slowly.

Questions:
1) Would some of you please let me know if you are taking Mirapex or Requip
and if one or the other seems to be more effective? Please respond to me
either on or off list as I need to speak with someone about medication and
how I am doing.

2). What dosage are most of you taking and how long did you find the agonists
(Mirapex or Requip) helpful before you had to start taking Sinemet?

Thank you for your responses.

Fran Landes
46/45/43