Before I started on mirapexin, i made sure that the people around me were well informed of the dangers of this category of drug but the big problem is that if you start to lose your mind on it, you won't necessarily know that this is what is actually happening to you. Self-awareness and the ability to self-monitor are the very capacities that are eroded. And it can take the people around you quite some time to figure how what is happening. A lot can go wrong in that time.

Oh, darn it, and I thought I WAS putting a positive spin on the DA post! I didn't even mention that by the time one discontinues a DA due to ICDs it may be too late for them to subside (it wasn't for me, thankfully).

My points were that (1) even the most annoying doctors are sometimes trainable (2) the patient is in charge (3) it's reasonable to try a DA if one prepares and is vigilant (4) it's reasonable to decline to try a DA (5) DA side-effects often subside (6) the L-dopa honeymoon's not over, and (6) not to worry too much about 40 years from now because by then treatment will be completely different.

If you think that's negative, you probably ought to steer clear of my posts from the first couple of years after diagnosis. LOL. This is as MJF as I get.

Also, I am not suffering. I consider myself to be living with PD. I also consider myself to be dying from it, cell by cell. It is painful and challenging and daunting. But I am not suffering. Suffering is another matter. So, actually, THIS is as MJF as I get. That's my answer for right now, anyway.

Actually Rose, I wasn't responding to your comments and I understood and agreed with most of what you said. Sorry if you took offence.

some "side effects" may be subtle - i took a very small amount of liquid deprenyl citrate which unlike its sister drug eldepryl did not act like a barbituate. I remember talking to some friends on the phone (after having taken this stuff )and afterwards feeling estranged to them by my own ego. I came across very self-assured inmy own mind but there was no vulnerability. If the parkinsons condition is teaching me anything it is humility --the best(and most redeeming) part of this experience. If dopamine agonists encourage narcissism....well ...no thanks.

remember thee song by Dan Fogelberg "The Power of Gold"? ..balance the cost of the soul you lost.

Thank you for that - I didn't know about this research. I have already had a test for Heliobactor Pylori which was negative. I have contacted them anyway as I don't live too far from Kings College (well, an hour's train ride away).

Trixiedee