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Hmmm, remember my recent posting regarding organophosphate pesticides and how the pill can contribute to susceptibility of one to the chemical's adverse effects? NOW HEAR THIS - I have some more, possibly pertinent info. I found a web site that listed the interactions of other drugs with the pill. (sorry guys, but ya gotta put up with this or just pass it over - that is any guys but M.D.s, cuz I want them to read this): When taking both the pill and "Benzodiazepine Tranquilizers (Ativan, Librium, Serax, Tranxene, Valium, Xanax, and others (???)), there is possible increased or decreased tranquilizer effects including psychomotor impairment -- Use with caution. Greatest impairment during menstrual pause in oral contraceptive dosage." *********** Hmm, most of us women also experience a worsening of symptoms just prior to this time, i.e., during pms season - double whammy! Have many of the pd women have ever taken both the pill and a tranquilizer? Also, the pill in combo with "barbituates (phenobarbital and others) can result in decreased contraceptive effect -- Avoid simultaneous use; use alternative contraceptive for epileptics." *********** Again I pose the same, almost, question. And the pill with "antidepressants (Elavil, Norpramin, Tofranil, and others) can result in increased antidepressant effect -- Monitor antidepressant concentration." ***** Considering my personal experience with the compazine (primarily an antidepressant/antipsychotic, altho' commonly used, as in my case, to fight nausea), which the drug book clearly states can cause pd-like symptoms which can recur (indefinitely), EVEN AFTER ONE DOSE - Could being on either progesterone/estrogen (which is what was supposed to have, but didn't ironically enough, make me nauseaous) at the same time possibly increase also this particular antidepressant "side" effect? Also, if symptoms can recur indefinitely, could going on the pill years later (maybe 5 or so) have triggered another interaction with any remaining compazine effects, particularly the pd-like ones which were quite severe for me. And since during the original episode I had taken maybe 2-3 dosages of the compazine at least, before realizing that my problem was the compazine and not the hormone, could that add to the likelihood of some trace side effects lingering and for a longer indefinite period? During this mess, while trying to comprehend what was happening, I had discontinued the hormone before I did the compazine, believing at first that it was the cause of my "seizure" since it was supposed to have caused nausea and I figured it could perhaps be causing instead this other effect. Silly 19-year old girl! I welcome any responses from other pd-afflicted women, either publicly in this open forum, or privately. I plan to show all this data (just what I've posted to the list here for everyone - don't worry - nothing private!) to the staff at Graduat Hosp. in Phila., PA where I go, since as I mentioned once long ago, a grad student there had been doing a study by questionaiire/interview with pd women trying assess the impacts of pd to their sexual/reproductive lives, and primarily related to the changing of symptoms and their severity thoughtout the course of one's monthly cycle. Could any doctors listening in come up with some theories/speculation/actual studies?? Or perhaps could we get input from someone with a background in pharmacology. (speaking of which - does anyone know what the antidote would be that someone adversely affected by compazine like I was, would be given? Would it possibly be Sinemet? When they gave me whatever it was, my problem disappeared quickly (or so it seemed at the time until around 5-7 years later with onset of pd)). I appreciate all comments & thoughts to be received, and hope that perhaps eventually, with enough info overload, maybe someone will take the "bite" and see how either wacky or valid some of my propositions are in the end. It seems to me that in restrospect - some initially thought to be the biggest stretches of logic often prove relevant upon further investigation. The scientific process is not always a linear, logical one, like some would like to believe. Some initial hypotheses derive their origins from intuition and human experience, but are later valided by detailed theories and experimentation. My role, I believe, is to serve as a catalyst for new ideas & hypotheses (sometimes these only come when one opens ones' mind to other ideas and other ways of thinking, which I believe my background and my personal experience with pd allows me to do - at least in contrast to the typical researcher who likely does not have the same personal relationship with the disease). I do not have the background to carry my ruminations beyound the point of ruminations, but I am good at getting people from various areas/points of view speaking and sharing data which affects everyone, as this is what I do as a systems engineer every day. A change in output power of a box has implications across the board, to the thermal designers who must then dissipate the extra heat, or supply additional heat where it's lacking, to the designers of other boxes, who may in turn have to shield their boxes from the former one who is now emitting more electrical interference, or reduce their power in order to meet an overall power budget for the entire combined system, etc. Also, as a system engineer I can't help but look at the big picture (some also call this approach in other very different circles - "holistic') and that is why I keep focussing on alternative therapies/prevention/causes, not because I am against conventional medicine, not in the least, but because I know from experience the only way to understand the workings of the system, is to understand ALL of its many facets and I personally see a dearth of info/research/etc. into these other areas and that limits us to viewing only a small part of the whole picture ( say, an electrical short due to cracked insulation) and prolonging any progress toward a real cure (better insulation in the first place, or possibly protecting the wire from bends and kinks (or even from radiation which causes brittlesness) which could cause cracks and thus shorts), and not just a quick fix (electrical tape) which doesn't preclude more cracks from occurring elsewhere or even the tape coming off). The analogy may be geeky, but hey, I think it's appropriate. Well, enough again for now! Wendy T.