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Patrick, Your story has an all too familiar ring to it. You might want to go to www youngparkinsons.com and www.yopa.org to talk to other young-onsets like yourself. Greg -------Original Message------- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network Date: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 9:28:01 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Permax to Requip, and more... Hello all. My name is Patrick, from Ohio. I am a YOPD, 46, diagnosed 11 years ago. I have just recently joined this list, and am thankful for the fellowship. My meds are in flux right now, as I have recently changed from PERMAX to REQUIP. My symptoms are bradykinesia, diskinesia, and micrographia. My on/off times had gotten worse, and the diskinesia seemed to be getting worse. I spoke with my neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic, and we decided to try REQUIP. I have never been through a more difficult time than what I experienced in the transition. Prior to the switch, I was on the following meds: Generic Carbidopa/Levodopa CR 25/100 2 tablets, 3x daily at 7 am, 12 noon, and 5 pm. (600 mg/day) Permax 1 mg, 2 tabs 3x daily, same time as above. (6 mg/day) Comtan, 200 mg, 1 tab same times (200 mg/day) Selegeline (generic Eldepryl) 5 mg, 1 tablet, 2x daily (7 & 12) Nightime dose varies based on how I feel at 10 pm, usually 1 tablet each Carb/Levo CR and permax at 10 pm. The move from Permax to Requip was slow and deliberate, over a projected 5 week transition period. Unfortunately, as the permax was decreased, the requip was not enough to counter, and my condition was terrible. After 2.5 weeks, I was only on 1 mg Requip. I spoke with my neuro, and since I experienced no side affects, increased the rate of change dramatically. The change was remarkable. Now, I am on the same Carb/Levo dose, REQUIP is up to 4 mg 3x daily, Comtan and selegeline are the same. Results are encouraging. Though my on/off time is more fragile. I feel so good, I forget to take the next dose on time. Missing the time by as little as 30 minutes can result in a two hour "down" time. I have learned to take that next dose on time... My on time seems more steady, although the drop off at end of dose is faster than with the permax. My diskinesia has lessened. I feel good. I return to the neuro in two days for my first visit since the change. Stress is a killer for me. I was working in the software industry, as a sales rep., and then most recently as a product manager. I am now on short term disability, and have just applied for long term disability thjrough my employer. I pray that it will be approved. My employer has been incredibly supportive, having made two accomodtions in the past year to help me continue to work, despite increasing trouble from progressing PD. My story has a unfortunate twist. Two years ago, I developed a compulsive gambling addiction. No previous gambling history. No family addictions of any type. I am in treatment now, and am struggling to develop a recovery program that will enable me to succesfully recover. Needless to say, the past two years have been hell. My neuro is fully aware of the addiction. I tried some meds for obsessive/compulsive disorders, but they really messed up my PD meds, so I have gotten off of them. I pray that my recovery will be successful. I am finally learning about addictions, and that is helping, together with Gamblers Anon. My counselor recently attended a workshop on gambling addiction. Prior to that workshop, I had suggested that my addiction was somehow linked to my PD. He discounted that notion. The workshop changed his thinking. He is reluctant to speak about it, as he does not want me to use it as an excuse. I don't. I accept that I am a pathological, compulsive gambler, and that I, and through my relationship with God, can successfully recover and abstain from gambling. I share my story with the hope of finding strength from others. Having an addiction on top of PD has taxed me in many ways. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and three fabulous sons, 17, 15, and 12. They are supportive of me, but they are at the end of their rope with my gambling. I have redoubled my efforts to recover, having seeked professional counseling and a recommitment to my faith. I know that through the grace of God, I have hope. With my upcoming application for long term disability, I humbly ask for prayers, words of encouragement, and any insights or experiences anyone would like to share. Thank you. Kindest Regards, Patrick b ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn