Yes, you are right. Thanks for the information.

The next challenge will be Medicare and Private Insurance authorization. Do you have any information on that?

looks like RYTARY will have less bioavailability than IR or CR carbidopa/levodopa, wonder if that was factored into 90 day supply? so less absorbed thru small intestine?

CONTROLLED RELEASE C/L i think has 30-40% less bioavailability?

http://www.neurology.org/content/82/...plement/P7.080

RESULTS: The final IPX066 LD daily dose averaged ~2X IR LD dose when converting from IR alone, and ~2.7X when converting from CLE. The ~35% higher conversion ratio with CLE regimen is consistent with higher LD exposure (35-40%) when IR is dosed with entacapone. The conversion ratios were ~1.8X when converting from IR+CR, and ~1.5X from CR alone; these lower conversion ratios are generally consistent with reduced bioavailability of CR relative to IR in PD patients. The dosing frequency of IPX066 (median 3X/day) was similar regardless of patients’ previous LD regimens. The higher dose of IPX066 represents ~30% higher LD exposures than the controls after adjusting for lower bioavailability of IPX066.CONCLUSIONS: Conversion ratios from various LD regimens to IPX066 are generally consistent with the pharmacokinetic profiles of IPX066 and LD regimens presented above. IPX066 dosing frequency is similar (median:3X/day) regardless of previous LD regimen. Study Supported by: Impax

Private insurance (at least Blue Cross/Blue Shield) will cover the drug. I've already posted the pricing information and Horizon's coverage amount for my plan:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread215626.html

My Neuro in Kansas City won't prescribe Rytary because it's
new and she's unfamiliar with it. I wonder if that's a common
attitude.

When Neupro was approved in Canada in 2013 I ask my Neurologist if I could try it. He didn't know about Neupro and didn't want to prescribe it. He is not a movement disorder specialist. I finally convinced him by pointing our that there has to be first time for everything and I will be his first Neupro test patient. Still it took couple months (and couple extra phone calls) to finally get my prescription.

Gerry, first of all I have to thank you for your knowledgeable posts. I have a new question for you: I have been in the same mucuna/ protocol with Dr. Stein for several years. I just finished reading numerous medical publications, some from the National Public Library about the benefits in Parkinson's from Gou Teng and Gastrodia, (**articlePMC3851952)
and your comment in one thread about Gou Teng, where you said you were taking it in a special mixture recommended/prepared by your TCM gilrfriendand that was helping with your tremors. The tremors is something that my current treatment is not correcting as I need in order to function better in my daily life. I was going to simply order from the site you mentioned, but I would appreciate more direction from your own experience, regarding dosage, brand, mixture, since the site at Emerson offers various alternatives. Thank you again for your willingness to help others with your vast knowledge and also personal experience.

Thanks for the compliments, Alessio, though you probably have me confused with some of the brilliant scientists who regularly post here.

I take gastrodin in the form of Brain Shield by Life Extension. I don't take
TCM formulas any more as I think i reached the limit of their efficacy for my condition. My TCM girlfriend made mixtures that included what she called critters such as centipede and scorpion. I no longer have tremors and it might be due to that but I don't really know. I have attributed it to the HInz protocol since it works on just about everything with me. Since it hasn't affected your tremors maybe it was the herb mixture.

My advice is to find a good TCM doctor if there are any near you and give it a try. If you haven't seen it, you might enjoy http://video.foxnews.com/v/971161412...#sp=show-clips

Good luck!

Hi again Gerry,

Thank you again for answering so promptly. I did some research based on your findings, and I came upon a very interesting article in the Scientific World Journal called "Pharmacological Effects of Active Compounds on Degenerative Disease with Gastrodia and Uncaria decoction, a commonly used Poststroke Decoction" accepted on September 17, 2013, specifically addressing how effectively they work for Parkinsons, since it contains compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, iridoids, carotenoids, and natural phenols, which have been found to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiapoptotic effects. Fascinating reading! In any case, I just ordered from Chinese Herbs Direct a bottle of Tian Ma Gou Teng. It said to take 8 pills 3 times a day... what is your experience regarding dosage? I am really hoping this will help me with the tremors that really interfere with my working life in a severe way. I have been in the Hinz protocol exclusively for over 5 years now, (after trying stem cell in Germany, Chinese acupuncture , the healer John of God in the Amazon jungle, never once using western medications since the beginning), but tremors are still an issue. Interesting enough, I was surprised to find among the symptoms described under the uses of the Tian Ma Gou Teng, several other issues that I experience on a daily basis, for which my doctor could not find a logic answer, such as my neck and head becoming red several times a day, and vertigo, also as a side effect among others. I guess for your professional interest, the above mentioned article could prove very valuable. Let me know your thoughts and dosage recomendation! Again, many thanks Gerry.

Hi Alessio

My herbal mixture was individualized so I am not sure about the dose. As you probably know, TCM herb combos are formulated with TCM diagnostic principles rather than pharmacological ones. If you want to try a manufactured bottle it is probably best to stick with the dose recommended on the label.

Take care, Gerry

Is anyone out there using Rytary? If so, how's it working for you?