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----- 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