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Dear Mrs. Ryan: The therapy must always be individualized. There are certainly SOME (a very small minority) patients who have severe problems with dyskinesia. However, in the majority of patients with dyskinesia it is relatively mild or can be substantially reduced by adjusting the medication or, more recently, by adding amantadine. Jorge Romero, MD ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Ann Ryan" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2000 8:59 AM Subject: Re: JAMA - dyskinesia > I found it interesting that the JAMA article discussing Dopamine agonists > implied that dyskinesia is a relatively minor problem. Our neurologist once > related that it was better for my husband to take a higher dose of Sinemet > in order to gain greater function, and suffer the accompanying dyskinesia, > then it was for him to be under-dosed. > > My husband is at the greatest risk for injury and choking when he is > dyskinetic - and I would imagine that he is not unique. It was during a > dyskinetic period that he fell, severely injuring his hamstring. When he is > dyskinetic it is difficult for him to swallow - and we've had several > terrifying moments when he has choked while eating during these periods. > > We work diligently to remove as much dyskinesia as possible by manipulating > his medication. And I make sure that his neurologist is aware that > dyskinesia is much more than a minor irritant - it can kill. > ------- > God bless > Mary Ann (CG Jamie 61/21)