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I can give you some information on the just-approved drug, pramipexole. I have been taking it for three years as part of a research study at Wash U in St. Louis. The first year was a double blind study, so I didn't know if I was getting the medication or not. I did very well that year. The second year on the study I leveled out at a lower dosage and did not do so well. I always felt I was undermedicated. Finally, in the third year, I was permitted to increase my dosage to the next level. I have been on the adjusted dosage for a week, and it has made all the difference in the world! My "off" times are fewer and much more tolerable. I am back to living a normal life. Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist, similar to parlodel and permax, but more effective. It helped me particularly with balance and handwriting. As stated above, it has helped reduce my "off" times as well. All I can say is it's given me hope that I may live a semi-normal existence until the cure is found in 5-10 years (hopefully). Hope this helps! Pat Schark pine`