-----Original Message----- From: Brian Collins <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thursday, April 15, 1999 7:21 PM 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? Mirapex > >2/ When did you start taking it? Dec 1989 > >3/ When were you diagnosed as having PD?Nov 1989 > >4/ What was your age when diagnosed?39 > >5/ When do you believe (with hindsight) that you experienced first symptoms?1991 > >6/ What is your present daily intake of levodopa? (Sinemet, Madopar)6 25/100, 4 Sinemt CR > >7/ What is your present daily intake of Dopamine Agonist?4mg > >8/ Has your neurologist advised you of the max. safe dose for your agonist?no > > >-- >Brian Collins <[log in to unmask]> >