Hi Tabbycat, true, no drug (for PD or otherwise) does not have any side effects, but some have more than others. Generally the dopamine agonists have more (and more serious) side effects and the levodopa Madopar, Sinemet and Stalevo) drugs fewer .
When I started on a dopamine agonist it took me several months before I felt significantly better, but I titrated up very, very slowly. Have patience is my advice, if you can stand it.