Parkinson's Disease Support Group

i started 1 1/2 25/100 3 times a day. then 1 1/2 4 times a day. i am now taking 1 6 times, as dystonia has set in. i just started requipxl 2 mg 4 times, along with the sinemet. over time the sinemet will give you fluxuations. i was diagnosed 3 years ago, and already a good candiate for dbs.

hope this helps.

Thank you for writing. At what dosage did your tremors decrease or perhaps cease?

My wife started out with the slow release like 3 times per day. I guess this was for convenience. Of course after awhile agonists were added so the sinemet wouldn't have to be increased. After about 4 years, my wife began to have non-motor problems and that's when I discovered the slow release sinemet is not advantagious, at least during the day. It apparently caused her to hallucinate, etc. more. However, the new neurologist did put her on the slow release during the night. He said that cutting off the sinemet during sleep got things out of balance and also starting a dose in the morning was a jolt to the brain after not having sinemet for several hours during the night. Believe me, thumb tremors would be the least of my worries. Now I wonder if my wife should have just put up with them.

With respect to the COQ10, I hope this turns out to be helpful. However, I would hate to think how fast my wife's Parkinson's would have progressed had she not taken the COQ10. She doesn't take it anymore and the new Neurologist doesn't say anything about it. Now I'm wondering if we had the right source.

I am on a vety low dose of sinamet 25/100. I know it is frustrating but go slow while increaing the dosage. Is he on any other meds?

Thank you to those that responded to my question about Simemet.
Husband(age71) also takes COQ10 (400mg 3x a day)
Dr.said to order COQ10 from Vitaline Formulas as this the purist form he knows. It is expensive and can be ordered on line.
He was taking Azilect for a couple months prior to Simemet but he didn't want to continue it. Dr. requested he continue.
He started 3 tablets a day now and no sign of tremor reduction yet.

Ya, that is too bad the Azilect did not work for him. We used seligilene (another MAO inhibitor, but more primitive) with my mom, which enabled us to use less Sinemet and we think it slowed disease progression.

Conventional wisdom is to use as little sinemet as you can early in the disease, because it will become less effective eventually.

Is his diagnosis certain? Sometimes if Sinemet does not work, it can mean the tremor is due to another disorder.

Good luck,

--Catalyzt

it took a very long time for sinamet to kick in and work for me, l sort of expected an instant result.

but honestly it took a good 3 months, which is rather rare i hear.

I take the same strength, now l take it every four hours, it is wonderful and works very well for me.

I love sinamet, i am 5'3" tall and weigh 57 kilos (dont know what that is lbs, but im little )

Honestly i dont know if it makes a difference the height we are, the weight we are, as sinamet just goes for the brain

I hope it starts working

Hi Peachbum,
Thanks for your reply and encouragement about Simemet. You said you take it every 4 hours...Could you tell me how many pills you now take a day?

ddbupper,

With any neurological med, it's best to start out at a low dose and titrate up (slowly increase the dosage).

Tremors are exacerbated by stress -- both physical and mental. Some PWP will have a minor tremor all the time. Has it decreased in amplitude?

I really would ask an MDS regarding dosaging as too much Sinemet can cause tremors too. Encourage your husband to be candid about his symptoms; now is not the time to be stoic, and the PD meds should help.

Best,
laura

I agree with what some here have said...titrate slowly for sure! You want to save it for later in life when you need the higher dose. I find keeping a log is wise then you really can see how well you are benefiting from the med...if you log daily your med intake and what new or continued issues you are having then when you go back to see your neuro you both can look and figure out where you ought to be medication dosage wise.

Best of Luck! B'nana