What you have described is a titration schedule. First, to see if you have a positive response, which in most cases is the only way to diagnose PD, and the last reason is to determine a daily maintenance dose, the lower the better, because too much L-Dopa, too soon, will cause problems worse than PD called Dyskinesia.

Your DMD (daily Maintenance Dose) should be the lowest possible amount that keeps your presenting symptoms at a tolerable level.

I've been taking it now for thirteen years and it has been a life saver! If you experience a little nausea, especially in the beginning, that is somewhat normal with everyone. It will go away in a week or two as your body and brain adjusts to the med.

Hope this helps you! Take care ..... Jim

BTW: I'm in my 37th year living with PD, so don't ever give up on yourself. PD is a life changer, not a life taker!

Yes that is a VERY routine dosage for that drug. My titration was much more gradual than yours and still the nausea and rocky sick feeling persisted. JUST 20 days into it I'd put on 8 pounds!!! I am free to take 8 per day now but try to remain under SIX but I space / spread them more gradually if possible.

Thanks for the replies. Had a very positive response (at least to me), so looks like I do have Parkinson's. Just a little nausea but not enough to worry about. It felt so good to be able walk and go up & down steps without shuffling my feet. Also have more energy and just feel a lot better. Will do what docs say & will just keep pushing on. Just getting a diagnosis is a big relief, no knowing was a lot worse. Thanks again for your replies.

That is haw i started , but it made me very nauseous . Before I got use to it I lost 60 lb. But it help me with the stiffness so I continued taking it, Eventually the nausea vent away and I could enjoy the benefit.

That is odd that they started you out on 2 pills 4 times a day. My husband started out with 1 pills 4 times a day and over the years takes 2 pills 4 times per day. Every time you increase it has to be slowly like you were doing, so that is right.
He doesn't have the kick in feeling though when he takes it, like some people. They don't like to give you too many because they like to keep them in reserve for the future when you need it more.
Good luck and I hope you progression is the slow kind like his.

Yes, the 2 pills 3x a day doesn't seem right. First of all I am not a doctor - only a person with PD, but it seems that the dose should be kept low. Although there is no "normal" in pd the usual first dose seems to be 1 pill 3x a day. Maybe your doctor wants to see if it "really" works so he will drop you back to 1 pill 3x a day. You can read up on Carbidopa-Levodpa dosage and find out all about it. We can't just take what the tell us to do. When I don't want to read boring stuff or stuff that I think I won't understand, I say a prayer. Dear God, thank you for my brain. Please help me understand what I am about to read. LOL it works!!!! Good luck, once you read up on Carbidopa-Levodopa you will understand why I am concerned about 2 pills 3 times a day. Happy net surfing!!!

Slashman48, Is your doctor s neurologist who specializes in PD and movement disorders. If not find one who is. If it were me I would not keep increasing the dose if you find you have good control over the symptoms. It would be a good idea to keep a journal of med dose, time taken, on time, off time, new symptoms. Bring this journal back to the doctor so you will have some anecdotal details to discuss how well you are doing on what dose. His schedule sounds like to much to soon. Good luck and good health Alex

Thanks for all the replies. So far feeling a lot better. Have a lot more energy and able to walk better now.Still have some problems with my fingers & hands. Am seeing a Movement Disorder Specialist & will keep track of my dosages, progress & any side effects. Am setting an appointment up with my PCP next week to go for a swallow test & speech/physical therapy. I will let my Doctor, Pharmacist & this forum know if I have any problems. Thanks again