Hi,

I'm new to the forum. Last year, I was diagnosed around the same time I discovered that I was pregnant! I most likely had PD for at least 7 years, but I didn't start meds until last year (agonist and dopa) only to interrupt all that for the health of my son. Interestingly, it's nine weeks post delivery, and I find that Mirapex seems to be doing a whole lot of nothing for me anymore. I did read the scant literature that exists on women who have PD and carried full-term: of the 20 or so scattered published cases, many women, not all, experienced a permanent increase in PD symptoms or slight advancement of disease. Though I wonder whether it's actually advancement or something to do with pregnancy that impacts med efficacy?

Anyway, my stress at having meds not work like they used to over the course of only one year led me here. I stumbled upon this forum while researching duodopa.

I'd just like to say...I really love the proactive attitude of the members here and the research oriented posts. I've learned so much in the past couple hours- thank you! For example, Heidi, I had never heard of a herpes PD connection. Debi, your trace of the research process is invaluable.

I feel both hopeful and angry. Angry at the world for there seems to be so many possible avenues in which to attack this disease and we're mired in an outdated research paradigm. Angry at myself for becoming complacent in accepting the status quo- I had all but given up on natural supplements like mucuna and COq10- my neuro doesn't dismiss them, yet she is dubious, stuck in a clinician's mind set. Wouldn't she be trying everything possible if she had PD or a loved one had it?

Anyway, I joined here feeling pretty helpless, but after lurking here for an hour, I am ready to take charge again of what little control I do have over my body. Thanks for helping me realize that my fire really has not gone out

-Laura