Has anyone had problems with this drug, I'm taking the lowest doseage twice a day and spend most of the day with constant tremors.

I have similar problems with Rytary, it exacerbates my symptoms. Just started low dose 1 pill twice a day, it's my 5th day. I don't have tremor, my main issues are stiffness and rigidity on a left side. Rytary makes them worse. Yesterday I emailed a neurologist, but did not hear back. She wants me to increase the dose to 2 pills x 2 times a day starting from the second week. Will see what happens.

Mrs. Mumford, have you been on another dopamine drug before and did it work, or this is your first?

just curious, question for you two, did you request rytary or did the neuro suggest the change? are you seeing a MDS?

Answering your question Soccertese. I had an appointment with a new neuro, since my previous neurologist went to a pharmaceutical company and stopped practicing. The neurologist asked if my quality of life is affected, the answer of cause was yes (as for all of us to a different degree). She suggested to try a low amount of sinemet. But during the discussion she changed her mind to rytary due to the fact that I am levodopa naive, so I don't have to do another medication switch later on.

After 7 days I feel better and see some benefits. Though I think I am experiencing wearing off effect: in the evening I am getting very stiff and tight. I did not take sinemet and can not compare.

that's interesting that you didn't try sinemet first and went right to rytary which is much more expensive, hopefully your insurance will pay for it. wonder if this neuro participated in rytary trials.

normally there is a sinemet honeymoon for the first few years where taking it 3 times a day is sufficient and there is no wearing off - your body is still producing enough dopamine naturally and you still have the nerve cells functioning to store dopamine.

My Neuro suggested that I switch to Rytary, I was having shorter "ON" times.

1 Stalevo 200 six times a day.
1 Sinemet 100 six times a day.

I started with 3 Rytary 195, nothing happened.
I increased it to 4 Rytary 195, it took 2 hours to kick in. I was "ON" for about 1-1/2 hours. I then became immobile, scared the hell out of me, never felt that.

I'm back on the Stalevo and Sinemet.

[QUOTE=Lana;1131955]I have similar problems with Rytary, it exacerbates my symptoms. Just started low dose 1 pill twice a day, it's my 5th day.


I am curious why you and your Dr elect to use a "low " dose. There is a recommended dosage for Rytary based on your current CL dose. ANd the recommendations are based on 3 pills X number of times per day. Given the reformulation I would think, and my Dr suggests, swappng out CL completely for Rytary.

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when the controlled release (CR) first came out you had to increase your dose since it had a lower bioavailability when compared to regular SINEMET.

are you saying your symptoms are worse than taking no sinemet?

[QUOTE=michael123;1132834]Michael, I am not talking sinemet, what's why my neurologist suggested a low dose of rytary.

You're not following the Impax and FDA recommended dosage. No wonder you have constant tremor. My neurologist/MDS was involved in the clinical trials and helped Impax and FDA develop the recommended dosage. Go to this the Rytary website (google search on Rytary) and click on the Full Prescribing Information tab. There's a Table 1 with the recommended dosage based on your current dosage of regular C/L. Follow those recommendations for your dosage of Rytary. I've been taking Rytary since 2 March. I take 12 capsules/day. 3 capsules 4 times/day. Rytary is working very well for me.
Slumpy217