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To: Rachel Maegraith 1) I have not heard of the use of acupuncture for dyskinesia. It is usually used to relax muscles. People I know who have used it consider it similar to physical therapy -- one needs to have it done frequently as it has no staying power. 2) Remission is not a word used to describe a period in the progression of PD. I wish it was. For me, remission happens when I am able to properly control the symptoms. This happens when the medications work the way the neurologist says they should, stress is at a low point, you have had a good nights rest and you are enjoying friends and family. I should also add, that one has had proper exercise. 3) The dreaded dyskinesia -- you reference Sinemet as the cause. It is more likely to be Permax. Dyskinesia is the #1 adverse side effect of Permax. Here are some thoughts on Permax. a. Starting Permax takes a few weeks of build-up using the 0.05 mg (white) pills. As the build-up progresses, I have used the rule of reduce one Sinemet 25/100 (yellow) for every .25 mg of Permax. b. If the reason one is put on Permax is to better control dyskinesia, then reduction in Sinemet is needed immediately. c. Sinemet has a half life of about 90 minutes. Permax has a half life of about 9 hours. This just says it is more important to take the drugs with lon g half lifes; thus never skip your Permax pill. It is more important then the Sinemet. d. Another possibility is to chart a few days showing food, medications and response on a 1/2 hour schedule. This will pinpoint the problem times and possible causes. e. If pill therapy is unable to control dyskinesia, then there are the following options: liquid sinemet, pallidotomy, wear blue glasses, not necessarily in that order. Regards, Alan Bonander ([log in to unmask])