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Sherry, I am a 54 year old physician (psychiatrist) retired because of PD about 21/2 years ago I was diagnosed at age 44 and practiced until I was about 52. But things are getting better. Mirapex may slow the progress of the disease and certainly if that doesn't work as far as symptoms go there is always the gold standard Sinemet which will almost certainly bring you back to near normal. The problem with it is that after a few years dyskinesias may develop which can be as debilitating as the disease, and therefore in my opinion at least it ought to be held in reserve but at the same time used if a satisfactory result does not occur with an agonist such as Mirapex. Also there are surgeries which are being improved on all the time such as Deep Brain Stimulation which are helpful if and when you reach that point. While PD is an awful disease the cure is not far off and it is not an illness which significantly affects life span so it is my hope that you and I will see it and hopefully before you get significantly debilitated. Regarding doctors that you are seeing I suggest that you at least consult with a Movement Disorders Specialist. Unfortunately (and I am not talking about any problem I see in your care), there are many MD.'s who don't know about the latest trends in PD care and may treat you as they were trained 10 or 15 years ago. A consultation should minimize the possibility of this occurring and maximize the treatment benefit that you receive. Good luck and please feel free to email me at any time. Charlie Sherry Macredes wrote: > 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 -- ****************************************************************************************** Charles T. Meyer, M.D. Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin [log in to unmask] ******************************************************************************************