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Dear List Members: Any input on the following will be appreciated... My sister, Fran (51 diagnosed 5 years ago is having a great deal of difficulty) switched from Permax to Requip because of the caution about leaky heart valve problems with Permax. She put off starting Sinemet until agonists no longer were adequate and has started Sinemet with small and slow increases of dosage as she has had difficulties adjusting to medications. She is taking Requip 2 mg/ 3 x per day and has introduced Sinemet 1/2 of 25/100 mg. 4 x per day, up from 1/4 of 25/100 mg. 4 x per day. Next week she will alternate the 1/2 of 25/100 and 1/4 of 25/100 for 4 x per day and the following week will be up to the whole tablet 25/100 mg. 4 times per day. She is also taking 1/2 tablet of Lodysin 3 x per day, which is the carbidopa portion of the carbidopa/levodopa, to prevent nausea. When she gets to the full tablet dosage, she will stop taking the extra Lodysin. Fran is experiencing alot of rigidity, difficulty walking, problem with balance, etc. Do you think this is because she still needs to increase the Sinemet at least up to the whole tablet 25/100 mg. 4 times per day? Needs assistance getting in and out of bed, getting to bathroom, getting dressed, getting showered, eating, etc. The rigidity is a real problem and she has a great deal of difficulty getting any decent amount of sleep at night for two reasons... the rigidity and frequent urination (whether or not there is anything much in the bladder). Again, we're banking on an optimal dosage of Sinemet lessening the too frequent call to the restroom and the terrible rigidity. ANY suggestions on ways to lessen the difficulties of these two challenges are greatly appreciated. Fran also thinks that the Requip is part of the problem as she doesn't recall having this much difficulty when she was taking the Permax. We know that she has to increase the Sinemet and hoping that when she gets the dosage up she will be feeling better. Also, interesting to hear that one person we know is taking Eldepryly (Selegine) again and found it to help with her symptoms. Fran took that early on and then stopped. Are they thinking "again" there is merit to taking that drug and if so, what amount and when? Thanks for your input. Sincerely, Alison Landes Care Person on Fran's Team Founder/ President Take Charge! Cure Parkinson's, Inc. 1489 W. Palmetto Park Road Suite 442 Boca Raton, Florida 33486 Tel: 561.620.1970 Fax: 561.488.5726 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Web site: www.cureparkinsons.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn