----- Original Message -----
From: "Barbara" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 11:59 AM
Subject: Sleeping with levodopa, cramps, tremors


> Hello Everyone,
>
> I started taking levodopa at night to sleep because tremors were so
violent
> I could not sleep.  My first symptom of Parkinson's was having a tremor in
> right foot while sound asleep.  Two years have gone by since I first
started
> sleeping with levodopa.  First I tried CR as doctor suggested, that did
not
> work, I need a Sinemet Plus 25/100 to stop tremors and cramps.  I tried
all
> the agonists, anticholergenics, everything except levodopa gives me severe
> side effects and migraines, so I tried beta blockers for the headaches,
> blood pressure went too low.  Tried other migraine meds nothing worked.
> Neuro said stay with levodopa.
>
> Now ........ the big problem, I cannot sleep at all without levodopa all
> through the night.  I take between 250 - 300mg to get through the night,
> wake up from first tablet 2.5hrs, take another tablet wait at least 30 min
> with severe cramps and tremors, switching off at night is far more painful
> then daytime because my tremors are so violent when I am not walking or
> moving about.  So, finally when I wake up for the day I feel like I have
> been through a battle.  Tried to not take levodopa at night, stayed up for
3
> days not a wink, cramps so bad they damaged feet.  Have not been able to
> walk much since this happened 8 months ago. The grin and bear it did not
> work at night.
>
> I have been to my neuro several times, went to Parkie specialist.  The
> doctors don't have any ideas except to try lithium for the cramps.  Still
> will have tremors too violent to sleep.
>
> Worry about taking too much levodopa with any daytime use.  If I need to
> drive, or go anywhere must take levodopa.  Can easily take another 300 -
> 400mg during the day.  So, I grin and bear during the day, take levodopa
at
> night.
>
> This seems crazy, I am sleeping while switched on, awake switched off and
in
> a great deal of pain.  I am 52 this is my 6th year with PD, how do I keep
> going like this.
>
> I have problems with anxiety and depression for first 3 hours off
levodopa,
> then even though I am cramping and tremoring quite badly my mental state
> improves and then I repeat the cycle.  Because of my poor mental state
> switching off I am afraid to take lithium, also my kidneys have never been
> really good and lithium can be quite hard on kidneys.
>
> I have had restless legs for about 10 years.  Started taking Klonopin
> (Clonazepam)  4yrs ago, at first it put me right to sleep and stopped
> tremors.  Now it just takes the edge off tremors does not affect cramps.
>
> I have tried pain medicine, several different herbs, sleeping tonics,
zinc,
> calcium, magnesium, hot bathes with epsom salts, cider vinegar, Neurontin.
> I have searched the PD archives, checked the website, done the healthfood
> store ideas, talked to herbalists, quinine and tonic water, mucuna. I
could
> write a book on how to sleep, just have not found my solution.
>
> I am exhausted .......... is there anything I missed?
>
> Hope this message reaches someone who can relate and perhaps offer some
> encouragement.
>
> Feeling very discouraged ......... BJ

BJ--I"e had PD for 10 years and just began having leg cramps at night  Tried
all the OTC's herbal stuff, calcium, magesium--no success.  Requip 2 mgs at
HS does it for me.  See your MD--it may help.

EJB