[proudest_mama]

I've had Parkinson's for 11 years now and it's been under control for 10 1/2 years ,,, so much so that my family was beginning to doubt the neuro's assessment. Well, guess what? Time finally caught up with me.

I have an appt. with a new neurologist next week on Thursday. Like Baylor School of Medicine, they'll do a thorough (1 1/2 hour) assessment of my condition. For the past 11 years I was on Mirapex and Artane, which combined. worked wonders.

I believe that my next step is Levadopa or Sinemet. My question is how quickly can I experience results from taking it? Instantly ... a few hours ... days ... or months?

Any and all help as to what I can expect is appreciated.

Thanks ...

[RLSmi]

Terri;
My experience when first Dx back in 2001 with "Possible early Parkinson's..." was that I knew that "possible" was reality the next day after my first 25/100 Sinemet. My left foot drag was eliminated. Furthermore, my depression was lifted as no other AD drug had been able to do!
Good luck!

[proudest_mama]

Thanks a million for the response!

I was thinking (and hoping!) that it works pretty quickly but forgot about prescribing Sinemet to see if it works, thus, those on the bubble can finally get a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. Not the best news someone wants to hear but it sure beats wondering if you have it.

Again, thanks ...

[proudest_mama]

How long have you been able to stay on the same dose of Sinemet before it no longer works and you need to increase the amount?

As I said in another post, I've had Parkinson's for 11 years and have been symptom free for 10 1/2 of those 11 years. I take Mirapex and Artane which, combined, worked wonders for me. It finally caught up with me and I need to change medications.

I see a new neurologist next week and am pretty sure will be put on Sinemet.

While I know that everyone is different, I'd like to get an idea of what to expect so if you can answer the question in my first sentence I'd be appreciative.

[soccertese]

i held off taking any pd drugs for about 3 years, then started on .125 mirapex 3x/day, then switched to 100% sinemet about a year later after getting relief on the 1st pill. i've read it can take up to 2 weeks to see an affect and of course everyone is different. i know a few people who got little or no benefit but don't know how high a dose they went to before giving up. the worse that can happen is you might get naseous and have to deal with that or it doesn't help after increasing doseages, the best is you'll get great symptom relief. just make sure you drink a large glass of water, at least 6oz. with each dose and to take it at least an hr. after eating or an hour before eating so you don't have any protein interference. doctors say take with a cracker if you are naseous but even a cracker has some protein, i'd take it with a piece of apple, a carrot, a piece of banana. the goal is to get it out of your stomach where the l-dopa gets broken down and into your small intestine where it is absorbed as fast as possible. don't want to make a big deal about food timing, if you decide to continue taking it you'll figure that out but imho good idea to take it on empty stomach to start to get max. affect.

[eds195]

I agree that taking Sinemet on an empty stomach is the fastest route to relief, but the nausea can be uncomfortable when you're not used to it. All foods affect me, not just protein, so I will eat something small like half a cereal bar just to get something in my stomach to lessen the nausea and not delay the positive effects.

Eric