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Karol: PD is very much a designer disease and although each of us will likely see most of the symptoms eventually, they will show up at different times in each of our disease progression's and affect each of us with different intensities. The effect of the different medications available also varies with each individual although it is generally conceded that Sinemet is the 'gold standard' addressing more symptoms for more people than any other. But it has an eventual downside for most PWP and that is the onset of Dyskinesia after an individual's drug limit is reached (observe Michael Fox for example). This limit varies with everyone and I don't think it can be pre-determined but for most PWP it takes a number of years of increasing doses at ever shortening intervals. Mirapex is one of a family of drugs called Dopamine Agoniststs. Another would be Requip. Both usually produce the same PD mitigation results but sometimes have different side effects for different PWP's. I took Requip for the first 5 years (as I recall) and quit because I had constant edema in my legs. I am a PWP, not an MD so you have to take my rambling as being unofficial, but it is my understanding that current practice is to start with a Dopamine Agonist to postpone or delay the start of Sinemet and stay with the Agonist until something (side effect, inefficiency) requires you to switch to Sinemet. Here's some info from Wikipedia: _Dopamine agonist - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine_agonist) The Parkinson List Serv is a good way to keep current. There are other sites you can join at no cost to keep getting updated. Let me know if you would like a list Paul In a message dated 12/2/2010 02:00:19 Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: Karol I don't take Sinemet at all. I had DBS in 2003 and that stopped the tremors. Sinemet only helped on the first dose. I've tried it many times. Took it when batteries died this summer so I could move a little, but doesn't seem to help at all now that my batteries have been replaced. DBS is great for tremor; doesn't help all that much for balance, bradykinesia, micrographia and makes voice worse, but its worth it to me. I had botox recently for leg dystonia but it doesn't seem to have helped. Some people with PD find botox helpful for dystonia. Ray From: Karol Klim Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2010 3:55 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Solo Sinemet Hello, I am 53 years of age and have been recently diagnosed with PD and am taking .75 of Sinemet and .75 of Mirapex. I would like to see how I would do with just taking Sinemet alone. I am concerned about the side effects of Mirapex, particularly the "sudden onset of sleep" possibility while driving. It sounds like you have had a lot of success with only taking Sinemet at a very low dosage. Is this true or have you had some tremors and rigidity? I would like to do the same, if possible. thanks for your help. Karol ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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