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Hi Joe, I was between visits to my Neurologist when I started my Requip and my doctor was also very careful with me.=20 He me start on Requip at 0.25mg three times daily and built slowly to 1 mg 3 times daily after about 4 weeks. I was still not getting any noticeable effect from it at all at this level, but the doctor was reluctant to prescribe more than this amount. Luckily, I happened to have a chat on the phone with a top Professor of Neurology specialising on PD research. During our chat, he asked me how I was getting on and what I was taking. I told him that I had started Requip and was now on 1mg 3 times daily. Without me saying a word of how I was doing on it, and without hesitation, he said, "Not enough! Lift it to 2mg 3 times daily. Taken at low doses below 2mg, it actually shuts down dopamine cells. Many people don't realise this and give up on it too early." Armed with this, I argued it out with my doctor and had him prescribe up to a level of 2mg three times daily. Up to 1.5mg x 3 no noticeable effect. At 1.75mg x 3, I thought I detected improvement. 2mg x 3: Everything clicked into place and my gaps disappeared. Many people are on a higher dose than myself, but I have not heard of many people stabilising on the level you are at. Any doubts as to how good this drug is for me, were dispelled when a few weeks ago I forgot my evening dose and froze up for the rest of the evening. Blood tests were not mentioned. Good luck in your battle and let us know how you get on. Ernie. 54/4.0 At 08:38 17/12/97 -0800, you wrote: >Two weeks ago I started on Requip using the starter kit. 1st week .25 mg 3 x day > 2nd week .50 mg 3 x day > 3rd week .75 mg 3 x day >Just started on 3d week this morning. >Side effects to date: Heartbuirn 45-60 mins after taking, increased tremor >right hand and, not previously noted, right leg. >As you can see, maximum dosage 2.25 mg per day. >My problem: I have an appointment with ND on Friday. He is ultra conservative. > If recommended dosage is 2 pills per day, he starts 1 pill every other= day. A >constant bone of contention. He writes the PX. Now I've been readingg postings >by Jim, Dale and others that the maintenance dose is in the realm of 12 mg= per >day, 5 TIMES GREATER THAN I'M PRESENTLY TAKING. >HELP!! I need input from anyone taking Requip and, even more effective, any one >who participated in long term tests, so that I at least have some ammunition for >what I am sure will be a contest of wills. Also, did any of you have to= take 2 >blood tests, 1 prior to starting and another 2 weeks later to check the= effect >on the liver? >Would appreciate any and all participation. > >Joe Young (65/6) 3 - =BD of Sinemet 125/100, 1 - CR 50/200 Sinemet >[log in to unmask] > > Ernie Peters <[log in to unmask]>