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Don always takes one about 11:00 p.m. He sleeps better and with less discomfort. Nancy B cg for Don 64/15 -----Original Message----- From: Barbara Blake-Krebs <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Saturday, October 10, 1998 12:10 PM Subject: Re: Sinemet-how much > Hilary, your schedule for taking sinemet really took me aback due to the >frequency and the habit of taking it through the nite. Is this something your >doctor has recommended? > > For myself, I very seldom take Sinemet after 7 p.m. as I have found that it >has a tendancy to keep me awake, sometimes from the side effects. > > In our current PD newsletter, Dr. William Koller from our local Center for >Excellence writes in his column in answer to this question--"Why do you >recommend the least sinemet be taken?" > > The Dr. responds; "The goal of therapy in PD is to control symptoms with the >least amount of medicine. Therefore, we want the lowest dose that adequately >controls symptoms. This is because we think that taking too much medicine may >result in future side effects." Longterm side effects associated with >levadopa include motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. While we do not know >whether taking less levadopa will decrease the onset of side effects, "it >seems reasonable to limit the dose to only as much as is needed and later >increase the dose as symptoms worsen." > > Of course, I might add what is often noted on this list, defining how much is >needed is very individual due to such factors as our physical response to the >meds and our personal tolerance for and perception of how we are functioning >with any given treatment regimin.. > >Regards, > >Barbara Blake-Krebs 58/1984 >Merriam KS >[log in to unmask] > ><< >Dear Bill, (may I call you that? > >I am very interested in your comment about taking sinemet all through >the night. > >=========================================================================== === >=================== > >William Heitman wrote: > >> Also, do you really rake Sinemet around the clock? Everything I know says >that >> is excessive. You will probably do better with overnight abstinence. >> Therefore >> >> 3. Get through the night without taking Sinemet. >> >=========================================================================== === >==================== > >Because that is basically what I do. I don't sleep for longer than two >to three hours at a stretch, and I take sinemet whenever I'm awake. So >probably during the day I'm taking every hour and a half, and at night >maybe every three hours. No one has ever said anything against that, so >I'm very interested in what you have to say. Please dont think I'm >querying your knowledge - actually I'm asking your advice! > >Hilary Blue > >>> >