In message <[log in to unmask]> Parkinson's Disease - Information Exchange Network writes: > ntro > > To fellow Parkies, > > I just signed up on the PARKINSN list yesterday after urging from others and > getting specific instructions from my PD Support Group (a super group in > Santa Barbara, CA). Barbara Patterson suggested I introduce myself... so > here goes: > > I am 52, diagnosed 4 years ago, misdiagnosed 5 years ago ("...too young for > PD, must be a familial tremor..) was working as an R&D Director at AT&T Bell > Labs in NJ at the time. An increasingly demanding work schedule and my > progressive slowness conspired to reduce my hours of sleep to 3-4 a night, > sympotms got worse, I got slower,.. The vicious cycle was broken when, with > my employer's support I gave up my resposibilities at work, moved to Santa > Barbara, worked (telecommuted) as a consultant, used up many deferred > vacation days to delay a disability retirement until last month. I still > consult at a distance, but less and less. So now I have the time to read the > PARKINSN E-mail in place of the 30-40 messages a day I used to get at Bell > Labs. > > My PD symptoms are still well controlled thanks to an experimental drug > (Ropinirole from SmithKline Beecham - a Dopamine Agonist, non-Ergot > derivative -works on B2 dopamine receptors...) that has done wonders for me. > It allowed me to go without Sinemet for 3 years (my neurologist initially > predicted 1 year) and enabled me to write again (my most prominent > disability) and reduced the shakes. After the 1-year clinical trial (out of > Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Jersey) Ropinirole was withdrawn > (there was no commitment to a compassionate use program) but appeals from my > neurologist and personal appeals got me back on Ropinirole under the > supervision of the USC Dept of Neurology in LA. So I consider myself very > fortunate - PD progress very slow (or at least maked by a combination of > Eldepryl, Sinemet CR and Ropinirole), living in sunny Santa Barbara (walking > outdoors daily), able to continue to contribute professionally to Bell Labs > product developmetn teams and have the excellent support of AT&T in medical > benefits and other ways so that life is very busy. > > I live by the guideline "not to worry or spend energy on those things I can't > change or about an uncertain future yet I do my best every day." I do > manage to live life to the fullest, keep a cheery disposition and count my > blessings - a caring wife, two wonderful children (23, 26), living in a > California paradise, and many friends and caring relatives nearby... > > Question to PARKINSN readers: Anyone else with experience with Ropinirole? > Any knowledge of prospects for FDA approval? > > Looking forward to sharing experiences and learning from all of you. > > Ilan Levi ([log in to unmask]) Santa barbara, CA IIan - Welcome to the list. I was very interested in you remarks re Ropinirole. My wife was markedly sensitive to bromocriptine so use of ergot-like materials has been out of the question. I shall pursue this possibility. Again, thanks and welcome! Bob Howard Bob Howard, occasionally known formally as: Robert B. Howard <[log in to unmask]> 1320 Wisconsin St. Hudson, WI 54016 Voice phone (714) 386 3596