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I take symmetrel (amantadine) and I like it! My Parkinson's is not at an advanced stage. I did try l-dopa and, yes, it made me more, as Beth wrote, "fully functional." But it also gave me dyskinesia, which I didn't like. I find that I'm able to function quite well with amantadine -- even as, again quoting Beth, "a guy with wife/family to support." The one drawback of the amantadine for me is constipation, for which I take cisaprid (propulsid). By the way, I'm taking parlodel along with the amantadine. The amantadine at 3X/day alone worked best for me, but it was too constipating, even with cisaprid. So I now take it 2X/day, along with parlodel and eldepryl. I'm trying to stay off l-dopa as long as possible. That's just my decision (in consultation with my neurologist). But, of course, everyone has to find his or her own best medication plan. Charlie Barasch Plainfield, VT On Wed, 12 Mar 1997, Elizabeth Leslie wrote: > I'm seeking a bit of guidance on this. I've seen the neuro today. He > agrees I need treatment. He agrees l-dopa would make me fully functional. > He sent me away with a script for Symmetrel! He told me it could take me 3 > months to feel any benefit from it. He did agree - a touch reluctantly, > perhaps even a little sheepishly - that if I were a guy with wife/family to > support and at risk of losing my job he would not withhold l-dopa. (One > good thing tho' - I did find out from him how/where to get my Selegiline > cheaply. That's a relief.) > > Guess what folks? I'm not feeling so :) Getting ready to trash my research. > > I'd really like to hear from anyone who takes/has taken this med. And any > other advice you care to fling my way will be welcome. Off-list is fine. > > Thanks, > > Beth >