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Hi Sherry, I'm 41, been diagnosed in January 1999, and have been using Mirapex since late August (I was an am still using Amantadine & Sinemet -- both to be phased out). My problems are similar to yours, affecting only one side (right hand side) at this time. I have had problems with nausea, but this was more prevalent at the beginning or with a dosage change. My neurologist, Dr. Grimes, had me progress through the dosage levels 1/2 tablets through 3 tablets x 3times/day. For the first while, I felt a fair bit of nausea. Lately, I've been Ok except that at every change in dosage I feel nausea for a few days and then I am Ok. I found that I must wait about half an hour after eating before taking the medication, and this seems to help. The Mirapex started to help after 3x3 per day and I feel much better now (my arm swings on its own and I can even brush my teeth with my right hand). So hopefully your mobility will improve and your problems with nausea will cease as well. In response to your second question, Dr. Grimes thinks that Mirapex has a beneficial quality in that it appears to decrease the progress of the disease as well as enable us to move. He told me that it would be very unlikely to be incapacitated within the next 5 years. Other than that he doesn't know. I wish I could tell you more. One question I have for you is regarding cost. It costs about $1.00 CAD ($0.67 US) per pill, so at 9/day it is quite expensive. How much is Mirapex in your area? Gilles Cloutier [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Sherry Macredes [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, September 17, 1999 4:18 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Tell me more! I am a 47 year old female who has just been diagnosed with PD. So far I just can use my left hand very well and get shakes when I try. My left leg is also starting to get the jittery feeling. Also there is the problem with rigid muscles which is the worst! I guess I don't have much to complain about except lack of information. The doctors (and I have seen many) don't seem to want to give you any info. I am starting the drug Mirapex and am having some difficulty with nausea, but since the dose is still not enough I haven't gotten any relief from my symptoms. Do any of you know anything about this drug and what I can expect? I have read everything I can find on the web but that is just too depressing. The doctors say don't worry you should have many years of productive living...somehow I just think they must have told that to Muhammed Ali too and we all know that he isn't exactly productive. What can I really expect? How long will I be able to continue to work (I do accounting and use the keyboard alot which is getting very hard to do)? Should I be planning for assisted care soon? I know these questions are unanswerable but I wish someone could give me a ballpark figure...say 5-10 years before you will require help with daily chores...or something! I sure all of you went through this period of confusion. During the day my husband and I discuss where we will put our backpacks on the next road trip, at night alone in my thoughts I wonder where we will put my wheelchair. My husband doesn't have a clue as to how bad this is, he just keeps saying when you are better and I don't want to tell him I never be any better. What do you say? Hey guy get real soon you will be changing my diapers! I would appreciate any answers to unanswerable questions, just so I can tell someone who is going through the same problems has already helped. Thanks