Every time I take my Sinemet pill, it takes 20 minutes to kick in. And within 10-30 minutes of being ON, I get that overwhelming urge to sleep and I do for 90 minutes. When I wake up, I am in the OFF state and need another Sinemet pill or, if I don't have a major activity, I do not take the pill and continue in the OFF state doing very little (working with computer or watching TV) but awake.

This response to Sinemet works to my benefit during the night time where I use Sinemet as sleeping pill. But I wish I could overcome it in the day time. I will appreciate your suggestions and similar experiences

How long have you been on that dosage, and what is your dosage ?
Any other meds?
How long have you had PD?

Dear Jo*mar;

I was diagnosed PD 19 years ago. My current dose of levodopa is 150mg x 6/day (100mg x 2 at night). Other medications I use are amantadine and multivitamins.

Thanks

Hi, I have something very similar going on. I'm on 7-8 110/25 sinemet + 3-4 entacapone a day -dependant on sleep issues. I have no answers about this only 2 observations. While sinemet always had a sleepy side effect for me it wasn't this extreme. When I was treated aggressively for b12 deficiency this effect of sinemet disappeared and my offs and ons became clear. Sadly not happening now, I'm on bi-monthly shots and am due one now - have just awaken from an intermittently sleepy patch of weel over two hours, it's doing my head in, it's only 11.30 am.

It is so hard to guess what goes on with l-dopa..my friend tends to take too much even of fava (even pod chips/ cookies / humus)and it gives her a sleep attack...so it could be the same with sinemet. Or, other than taking too much for the current need (which our needs change hr to hour according to activity level/ foods/ stress etc.... it could just relax the stiffness and tension and give a restful moment to just peacefully dose off?? Maybe try taking a smaller dose of l-dopa more often so there is not off times so severe during the daytime...watch diet. Eat lots of papaya if you do not have a latex alllergy...it can do so much for PD.
God Bless