 |
 |
I have a PD-related problem I'd like to run by ya all here on the List.... In the almost 22 years I've had PD I've only taken Sinemet (except for 2 years of taking Eldepryl in 1990 and '91) to treat it's symptoms. No Permax, no Parlodol, no amantadine... no other prescription drugs for the disease. I have had a unilateral pallidotomy for which I'm ever grateful. Since I stopped working last July, I've been able to cut the amount of Sinemet I'm taking to less than a third of the amount I took while employed. This means that since mid July I usually take 1/2 a Sinemet 25/250 twice a day (along with a multi-vitamin, additional vitamin E, and CQ10). Sometimes I may take an additional 1/2 Sinemet if I'm out late in the evening. That's IT. The new neuro I recently saw at Kaiser suggested I take Mirapex as soon as it's on the Kaiser formulary(any day now, if it's not on it already). He isn't a movement disorder specialist, and because his patients are Kaiser members, THEY haven't had Mirapex yet... So he hasn't treated anyone who's taken the drug (unless he has patients who were part of the testing) <<errrrr... I guess I'm saying I don't trust his medical opinion when it comes to PD and me?> Personally, after reading everyone's comments here on the List about why you're each individually taking the new drug and your individual Mirapex experiences, AND considering the relatively small dose of Sinemet I'm taking each day, PLUS the fact I'm not under the great daily stress right now as I was while employed, I feel I should leave well enough alone and not take Mirapex currently. If my symptoms negatively change (or should I say "when" they change?) I feel I can always add in Mirapex then. Heck maybe a buncha newer BETTER drugs'll be available by that time, and I'll have a wider selection! <who ME, an optimist?> (smile) Since I consider my List Friends to be about the most highly PD-educated folks in the whole world, I'd greatly value your thoughts on whether now's the time for me to begin taking Mirapex, considering the above information. Thanks a whole bunch, People! Barb Mallut [log in to unmask]