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My name is Barbara-75/28. I am new to the PD List but not new to PD. I was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 1985, but I am sure I had it long before that. I tried to get a passport in 1969 and couldn't sign my name. I had occasional problems with a shaky right hand from then on. I used to wear a sling on my arm when I went shopping to use my charge cards. I saved my husband lots of money because I didn't shop very much. I was still able to play golf though and was very active. I have had to give up golf lately because of the dyskinesia. I never know when the off time is going to hit me. I try to stay active with some aqua-aerobics, but it isn't easy. I was put on Sinemet in '85 and have been taking it ever since. I have always been diagnosed with "mild Parkinsons", but nowadays it doesn't seem so "mild" to me. Of course the fact that I am now 75 could have something to do with my aches and pains. I am taking three 50/200 Sinemet CR 3x a day. I have also been on Mirapex for the last 6 weeks. I have mixed emotions about Mirapex. It seems to be giving me more energy but my aches and pains are more acute. I was started out on the .125 dosage and told to build it up to 1.5mg. per day. I am stuck on a .25mg. twice a day. I am leary of increasing the dosage because of the side effects. Insomnia is a big problem for me and so is constipation. (Not many of you mention constipation but I have a "recipe" given to me by a nurse. Mix 1 cup of prune juice with 1 cup of applesauce and 1 cup of oat bran. Take as 1 tbsp as needed. Sounds awful but tastes pretty good. I keep mine in the fridge.) Now if I just had a recipe to cure insomnia. I love to read everyones messages and expecially the jokes. It is such fun to laugh. Barbara Robinson ([log in to unmask])