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In a message dated 6/12/2002 6:40:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: > I > am not sure, at this point, how much of my discomfort is from the medication > and how much is from PD but I have not reached the point that I have decided > to discontinue the Requip. The lack of any proven, effective treatment, > other than the agonists and/or Sinemet, leaves us with little or no choice. > I am wondering (after 9 years with PD) how you are managing to function > without medication. Dear Dee, I can only speak for myself of course but after 9 years of NOT taking Parkinsons medication I am doing well. My most annoying symptoms are the tremor in my right arm and hand and the most painful symptom is the dystonia in my legs. I do take Norflex an anticholergenic muscle relaxer for the dystonia, nothing for the tremor. I recently went to a movement disorder specialist because after 9 years I thought they could offer me something better than what I was taking. To my surprise the doctor told me I was progressing very slowly and that what I was doing on my own was fine but she suggested taking Mirapex to alleviate the cramping and to help the tremor so I tried it. Well, in just two weeks I was nauseous to the point of being unable to eat, dizzy so I couldn't drive, arms pinned down to my sides and shuffling when I walked. My mind was foggy and my husband says I was getting a masked look on my face. NO THANKS! If that's the best they've got I don't want it. Now I don't claim to have a perfect life, like everyone I have good days and bad but I feel so much better off the meds than on. And since they only help the symptoms and not the disease itself I feel I can do pretty well on my own. Currently I am taking vit C 500 mg, glutathione 250 mg 2x's,an iron supplement (I am anemic) and bromelain 500 mg daily. With the glutethione I have noticed increased energy and dexterity and the bromelain helps with my allergies and cramping. I have found a product called DopaBean by Solaray it's a pill form of mucuna pruriens says it has 50 mg of l-dopa. If anyone wants to look into it there is a website, I'll get it and post it. Well, I have gone on haven't I? Thanks for the chance to talk, take care. Sherry ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn