Hi all,

My Dad is starting PD meds today. This is five years after his diagnosis. His main symptom is tremors.

He is starting out the first week with 100/25mg levocarb once a day at breakfast. The second week is breakfast and lunch. Third week is breakfast, lunch and supper.

He just took his first pill and nervous about the potential side effects. Anyone have any advice for what it is like starting out. I know everyone is different but any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Sharmila

Sharmila,
Hope your Dad does great on the "gold standard" med for PD. It has a long history of good results. May his levocarb "honeymoon" last many years!
Robert

Check the protein/levodopa issue thread. Best wishes. He and I are on a similar timeline I think.

How long does it take to feel an effect? He is on a low dose and will be gradually increasing?

When I started Sinemet 25/100 (Levodopa-Carbidopa) I felt better after the 1st pill. I started on 1 pill 3x day for 1st week, then 1-1/2 pills 3x day 2nd week, then 2 pills 3x day 3rd week. Was feeling nauseated at first, but it went away after a while. Now take 3 pills 3x day with 1 Entacapone 3x day to extend the Sinemet and 1 Sinemet ER before bed. Hope the Sinemet works for you.

I take one

25/100 twice a day and have been on it for two weeks. Much less rigidity, can type again, must be careful with protein.

Remember that everyone is different. Give it some time.

i received a major beneficial effect on my rigidity after the first tablet.

give it time, it takes awhile for your body/brain/neurons/dopamine receptors/DNA to adjust and you may have to adjust doseages and timing. line NAN said, everyone is different and since less than 10% of l-dopa actually gets into the brain, just how one's digestive system works can affect how much one needs to take. and you really don't need that much l-dopa to get into your brain on a daily basis so one is having to take a lot more than they really need just so that <10% gets into your brain.

the goal is to get the drug as fast as you can into your blood. so drink at least 6oz. of water with each dose to stimulate stomach emptying and one should try to stay as "regular" as possible, getting backed up slows the digestive system and you want that l-dopa to also get into the small intestine as rapidly as possible which is where it is absorbed.