Again, new here. My main issue is gait and balance. Recently upped 2/day 25/100 sinemet to 3/day. Will increasing sinemet improve these issues? I am usually at the gym most days, have been for years. Concentrating on stationary bike w/rpm as fast and as long as I can handle. Treadmill less so b/c it's more difficult. Thanks

Harry, regarding self-help for PD, going to the gym daily is wonderful! The stationary bike is good exercise, and should help you overall. However, it may not be the best specific exercise for gait and balance. You should consider walking more, whether it be treadmill or outdoors. Also, consider looking into a classes for Tai Chi and Qigong, which work very specifically on balance and gait along with stretching and breathing. I do it everyday and my balance today is better than its been in years. You can also consider dance classes specifically for PWP.

I haven't begun using sinemet yet so I can't answer that question.

Gary

From my experience (and also some of my friends), medication has done nothing to improve my balance or gait. However, physical therapy with therapist who has experience with movement disorders has improved my balance quite a bit. It's worth a try!

I posted a while ago about vitamin D as it relates to balance. My balance was getting particularly bad and I was getting very concerned, then I began taking Vitamin D and overnigiht my symptoms began to improve. You may want to get your V. D level checked but I would not wait to begn taking it. It takes a while to build up your level, so if you want quick results I would begin taking at least 10,000 iu per day. You could take 50,000 iu per day if you like. Almost all PWP are vitamn D deficient. Google "vitamin D and neurology".

Just a reminder of the medical disclaimer on all pages here:

Taking mega doses of any supplement really is something each person should first discuss with their physician

Vit D levels are easily tested for. Determining your needed dose should be done based on that, from your doctor.

However, the RX form of D = ergocalciferol D2, and is not really active in humans, but still given in doses of 50,000IU weekly.

D3 OTC is the form to use (cholecalciferol), but many doctors remain uneducated about this difference.

The recommended dosing scale is 1000IU D3 for every 10 pts to raise to the desired level. 50 is often used, but people with MS are told often by their doctors to go higher (up to 100).
This is highly controversial and and should only be done with a doctor's supervision.

Many people on these boards end up testing below 10. Those individuals often end up using 5000IU D3 daily.

Here is our D thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread92116.html

Taking high levels of D without testing or "just because" can lead to hypercalcemia. So getting the easy test is really important. It is also recommended now to lower any calcium supplements to 600mg a day or below if you decide to take Vit D supplements. Vit D increases absorption of D from foods quite a bit, so excess calcium is not needed anymore.