[Conductor71]

Hi All,

I had a curious drug interaction and thought I'd share. I am not suggesting anyone try this, but it does seem like it may have potential in managing fluctuating meds.

I woke up in the middle of the night with a migraine and took an Excedrin Migraine...knowing I would be up for awhile I wanted to knit tremor free so I took a levodopa. Within 10 min I was feeling almost too good; but extremely restless I could not sit still. Then the heart palpations and nausea kicked in. It all felt vaguely familiar to the morning I nearly overdosed on Requip due to misunderstanding with pharmacist- I inadvertently took a full days worth in my am dose - whoops. In other words, I was having symptoms of way too much levodopa. I hadn't increased my dosage.

Obviously not acetomenephine or ibuprofen did it. Excedrine also has caffeine to accelerate the absorption of pain meds; it apparently accelerates levodopa too. I never thought to space them apart, but that might be necessary. So once I calmed down after realizing what was going on, I observed to see if the accident came along with any useful extra on time but not really. I didn't wear off so harshly so I felt like it was helpful in keeping more levodopa in blood stream?

Anyone ever have a similar interaction with caffeine powder?? One can purchase it but part of me is tired of experimenting. I could see how it might be useful to help us get back on and avoid taking another half levodopa or how it might help smooth out blood plasma levels. Just wondering your thoughts and wanted to see if anyone had a similar experience?

Incidentally, I had to take a half klonopin as the downer. I think my headache went away too due to distraction.

Laura

[RLSmi]

Laura,
I'm guessing that the "sinemet speedball" you experienced was a result of dose overlap with your last evening levodopa.
Regarding possible caffeine involvement, I routinely drink my first AM cup of pretty strong coffee within 15 minutes of my first levo dose with no noticeable hyper effects.
Who knows?! We are all so different.
Robert

p.s. Did you end up knitting double speed?

[soccertese]

i've not noticed any difference with or without coffee and i'm in seattle, a true junkie. nor any difference with ibuprofen or naproxen or aspirin.

seems like simple matter to try it again.

food is my biggest variable, very predictable results with my first dose on an empty stomach in the morning, much more variability thereafter.