1, How many good years, from my own experience, (and yes, we are all different), I had around 10 years before the dreaded dyskinesia side effects crept in. Now, after 16 years, I can hardly be "on" without having dyskinesia.
2, Is it likely that someone will benefit longer from L-dopa if you have previously been on an agonist
Same as Ol CS
3. Does the 5 year 'honeymoon' period that people write and talk about include the time on Mirapex?
I had 15 years of Pergolide before Mirapex. I define the honeymoon period as the time when if correctly medicated, only you would know you had PD. I worked for the first 5 years at a very stressful job. It was essential that I did not show PD symptoms, otherwise, I could not continue. I retired after 5 years at 60, I would say it was about 8 years before I could not hide my PD.
4. Can she still get benefit from higher doses of Mirapex? I read some of the trials which seem to indicate that the benefits max out at 1.5 mg per day. Are there folks who benefit from higher doses
It seems around 1.5 mg is a good optimum. I have tried other levels, but have settled on 1.2mg per day. I believe the max is 4.5mg, but there seems to be much advice to say don't go that high.
Tell your wife to take each day as it comes, and enjoy it. I hope she is slow to develop and one of these days, there will be a breakthrough, it has to, I'm 70 now!!!
Best wishes
Ron