Jim, a lot of people here seem to use 100/25, but ask your neuro.
You should note that Sinemet is often affected by WHEN you take it relative to
a meal and even by the type of food. My neuro recommended to START taking it
with a meal (re possible nausea). Then after a few days take it either 1/2 hr
or longer BEFORE a meal or at least an hour after.
Protein foods seem to interfere with its absorption. Acidic foods apparently
make it more effective. (I guess that means that pickled meats don't affect
it either way.)
Jim Dolan wrote:
>
> I was diagnosed last week as having a 'mild' case of Parkinson's Disease. I
> suspected I had the disease for a couple years and finally went to my
> primary care physician about 6 months ago. He diagnosed me as having
> familiar tremors and gave me some medication to control the tremors (which
> had moderate success) and scheduled me for a physical in 6 months. During
> the physical he changed his diagnosis to probable Parkinson's and referred
> me to a neurologist.
>
> As I said above the neuro said I had a 'mild' case of Parkinson's. He
> prescribed I start on Carbidopa-Levodopa (a generic Sinemet) to treat the
> symptoms and Eldepryl to slow progression. I was to start off the Sinemet
> at 1/2 a 25/250 tablet a day. If necessary to control symptoms I could
> increase it up to 3 tablets a day. I was also to take one 5-mg tablet of
> Eldepryl a day. I have my first follow-up on July 28th.
>
> I did 1/2 a Sinemet 25/250 tablet a day for a week and noticed some
> improvement in symptoms; better gait, easier time getting out of a chair,
> better arm swing, reduced urination, less joint stiffness and less
> drooling. Some of the improvements were marginal, but they were
> improvements. I see no improvements in tremors or sleep patterns.
>
> Now to my questions.
>
> Remember the 'mild'! As soon a got home I went straight to the internet to
> learn all I could...knowledge is power. From what I can see he prescribed
> an aggressive treatment, which confuses me. I know each patient is
> different and there are differing opinions on the early use of Sinemet. I
> think I have had Parkinson's for at least 3 to 5 years. The first symptom
> being a radical decline in my golf game. I think the good doctor was
> trying not to scare me. Am I right in concluding this is an aggressive drug
> schedule? My conclusions is that only experiencing slight improvements in
> symptoms, it is not.
>
> Yesterday I started on a second 1/2 tablet of 25/250. I take the first
> between 6-7 A.M. and the second between noon and 1 A.M. Yesterday I noticed
> my knees seemed a bit stiffer. Today I noticed that my tremors picked-up a
> bit after taking my early dose of Sinemet (the knees seem ok the morning).
> I was hoping the Sinemet would reduce tremors for a least a few years...am
> I wrong? Should I be concerned about the apparent increase in tremors?
>
> Base on what I have read, I am very hesitant to take the maximum he
> prescribed - 3 25/250 tablets a day. I think I would be willing to accept
> reduced symptoms to get a longer life cycle of Sinemet use. What do you think?
>
> I was 58 on Tuesday and I am retired. I am active in a few organizations
> that involve some stress. I plan on taking a break from those until I have
> settled on a meds plan. Once I know where I am, I plan on getting
> reinvolved. Does that sound logical?
>
> One more thing, I do like a few beers...especially after a now lousy round
> of golf. I asked the neuro and he said as long as I don't over do it, he
> saw no problem. What are your experiences?
>
> I am looking forward to reading your responses.
>
> Jim Dolan
> Sayre, PA USA
--
Frans van Duinen
(416) 652-8580
Toronto, Ontario
