To Hilary, BarbaraB-K, don and Bill MayI jump into this discussion? I agee with don's commment that all are different and comparing can lead to trouble so I wont go into numbers of pills. I take sinemet and permax at night. Ihave done so for at least 3 years. I began as a way to avoid very slow and miserable mornings. My Dr was doubtful but said I could try. The dose was not increased just divided into eight doses instead of six. Ihave had Parkinsons 18 years.So far no vivid dreams and no mental problems (touch wood ) I try to get by on as little med as possible while being able to function fairly well but it is getting hard to manage. Anne Rutherford 64 24 18