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Margie,

Yes to increased freezing, vivid dreams and obsessiveness.  When Mom started
Mirapex about 2 years ago, we saw improvements in more on times, and a
little bit happier outlook.  She got her beautiful handwriting back for
awhile and her face was less masklike.  She used her walker more and
sometimes could walk on her own. (Earlier she had been on Permax which we
thought at the time was causing paranoia.)

Then in the last year she experienced more and longer lasting dyskinesias --
we called them attacks and the neuro started cutting back Sinemet.  (She now
takes 4 25/100 CRs throughout the day and no more 10/100s.)  When she takes
the CR about an hour later she starts jerking then it smoothes out and she
is OK for about 2 hours then she goes rigid.  She is so rigid and frozen,
loosing her voice, diahhrea explosions and incontinence and vivid dreams.
I think her obsessing is because she can't trust herself to remember what
day it is and what appointments she has.  These memory lapses are so
defeating for her!  And she takes several naps and rarely uses her walker.

Last visit to her neuro in light of this downturn,  I asked why doctors
would choose one agonist over the other and in her case why Mirapex over
Requip.  He asked why I asked and I told him about the Requip study I had
read (as a result of this wonderful list) that showed Requip kept early
onset people from developing the dyskenisias so I thought maybe it would
help those who already have them.  He responded "did you read the article
about Mirapex 2 years ago?"   What a defensive jerk!

I am now working to get Mom to see a movement disorder specialist at
Stanford, Dr. Helen Bronte Stewart who was recommended to me through the 800
number for Centers of Excellence for Parkinson's (another gift from this
list).  Her primary care doctor is trying for the referral but is doubtful
the insurance will approve.  And Mom is scared of making her local (Napa)
neuro mad.  But from all I am learning on the list,  I think she might be
able to get some relief by seeing someone who really understands the fine
tuning necessary for PD.

So thanks for the info on the list and for listening.

Bless you all,

Robin Reddell, long distance CG for Mom, 77/19