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Hello: My name is Melony Winkelmann. I am a high school librarian in Boone, NC. I have joined this list for information that may help my Mom, now living in Salem, Oregon. She was diagnosed about 2 years ago with PD. She has been falling and breaking bones this year; The hip went first in early June and the wrist and pelvis in December. She suffers fairly serious dementia so must be restrained so she won't be impulsive and do some repeat pirouettes any time soon. Her balance is poor, her feet cross when she walks, and she is unable to remember any direction or warning given verbally or written. I took care of her after a long bout with nursing centers this summer and tried to get a handle on what we had to deal with. She is at present in a very good foster care home with my step-father and a capable, young, experienced care-giver. My sister lives nearby. She is on Sinemet 25/250 I believe, and she takes it 3 times a day for rigidity and bradykinesia. She doesn't have a problem tremor, but her toes twitch occasionally. She was on zoloft for depression, but with her dementia, it is difficult if she is depressed. She is no longer taking it. I am interested in your experiences with treatments and drugs. The message from Pat Schark mentioning balance problems today caught my eye. If the drug pramipexole proves to be helpful without too many negative effects in helping with balance, I would be very interested. If we can keep Mom from suffering another fracture it would be wonderful. She suffers from sleepiness and chronic constipation as I understand is fairly common. I was in touch with a PD patient named Nana (can't recall the last name) when I was in Salem in September this year. If you are on this list Nana, I have not forgotten your words of comfort and encouragement during that anxious period. I'd love to hear from you. Thank you all for your contributions to the list. I don't know of a PD support group here, but I am always on the look out for new developments. I did read of a protein experiement with mice that looked hopeful in causing some regeneration of brain cells. It sounded hopeful I look forward to the mail each day and hope, as you do, for good news. Melony Winkelmann