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Brian, I've often thought of doing what you propose. You are to be applauded for your past efforts and certainly what promises to be monumental task that you now propose. I pledge to help you in anyway possible. The problem of course is too many variables. Besides the variation inherent in individuals, there is age, progression of disease, and other medications. But, what the hell, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Other suggestions: 1)you might want to make some changes to the form such as other Parkinson's medication 2)many list members are in a support group and could distribute the form to group > -----Original Message----- > From: Parkinson's Information Exchange > [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Brian Collins > Sent: Thursday, April 15, 1999 6:43 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Sorting out the Agonists > > > I think it's about time that we got a clear picture of the > various dopamine > agonists, since they feature in most people's drug diet these days. For > instance; I take Permax (Pergolide) in addition to levadopa. Over the last > 6 years I have worked myself up from zero to 5 mg of Permax in order to > combat the steady deterioration which is the hallmark of PD. Now > this simple > fact is of very little use if I want to see into the future, unless I can > relate my current intake of Permax to some absolute standard. Not only > that, how do I relate my situation to that of someone taking say > Ropinirole > (Requip)? With your help, I think we can answer these questions. > > What we need is for as many members of this list as possible to > complete the > response form at the end of this e-mail. I have not seen this attempted > before (maybe it can't be done) but let's make the attempt. > > Problem areas: A key question is 'What is the maximum safe dosage of > whatever drug you are using?' This is bound to be a moving feast in > practice: for instance; when I was taking 2 mg of Permax, my neurologist > told me that about 4 mg would be the maximum safe level. When I reached > 4mg , he told me that people were taking up to 12 mg. I am very grateful > to these pioneers for effectively opening-up my future by several years. > > If we get enough of a response to make a useful analysis I will attempt > to do so, and will make the data available to anyone who asks for it. Of > course any results will be published in the list. > > Questions: > > 1/ Which Dopamine Agonist are you taking? > > 2/ When did you start taking it? > > 3/ When were you diagnosed as having PD? > > 4/ What was your age when diagnosed? > > 5/ When do you believe (with hindsight) that you experienced > first symptoms? > > 6/ What is your present daily intake of levodopa? (Sinemet, Madopar) > > 7/ What is your present daily intake of Dopamine Agonist? > > 8/ Has your neurologist advised you of the max. safe dose for > your agonist? > > > -- > Brian Collins <[log in to unmask]> >