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My mother, Emily (74/5) has experienced shallow breathing for the last 2 years. It's been fairly consistant through changes in meds (trials of Mirapex, Permax, Tasmar, and now Requip). We're having pulmonary tests done to eliminate lung disease, and have had various heart testing done (she has occasional arrythmia). Her new neuro thinks this shallow breathing is due to panic disorder; in the past year and a half we've tried Xanax (bad experience), Klonopin (still taking - helps), Zoloft (moderate success) and now Paxil (too soon to tell). For "panic", we've also enlisted non-pharmaceutical therapies - reflexology (very effective), aromatherapy (helps), biofeedback (moderate success), and music (new age environmental with birds and oceans). The latter seems to help counter her internal tremors. The breathing episodes were the worst about a year ago just after coming off Tasmar. We started Zoloft then, which seemed to lessen the severity of the shallow breathing. The panic theory doesn't make total sense to me, tho, as the shallow breathing episodes come like clockwork, depending upon her Sinemet cycle. They usually start 15-30 minutes after her first Sinemet of the day, and can last for 1-3 hours, followed by 1-3 hours of "on" time. (She takes 25/100CR at 7/11:30/4:30, plus 1/2 25/100 regular Sinemet upon waking, and is up to 1.5mg Paxil 3x/day.) Her new neuro cut the Sinemet in half - from 3 50/200's - citing Mom's dyskinesia as an indication of Sinemet toxicity. Now there's less dyskinesia, but more time when she's unable to move - and she still has the shallow breathing. The theory Helen just mentioned - that levadopa without the proper amount of carbidopa can cause shortness of breath - is very curious as I think Mom's breathing problems began when we A) started her on Sinemet CR and B) started layering in the agonists. Could any of the chemical experts in our midst comment? Thanks to the list for being. Susan Jackewicz CG for Emily (74/5) Sarasota, FL