Sinemet for non-parkies

[shakyj]

Would Sinemet have detrimental effects if taken by people who do not have PD?

[Norton1]

Shakyj

The question I would ask is why would anyone be prescribed Sinemet if they didn't have Parkinson's? However, you asked the question and I will give you my theoretical answer. Sinemet will cross the blood brain barrier ultimately increasing the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain which could cause imbalances in the other neurotransmitters resulting in unwanted other symptoms. May I suggest that if you are taking Sinemet, but believe you do not have Parkinson's, then seek a second opinion.

Norton

[shakyj in reply to Norton1]

The Sinemet just doesn't seem to be doing what it's supposed to do.

[Norton1 in reply to shakyj]

Shakyj

Presumably you are under a neurologist whom I hope you are discussing the non working Sinemet with! Two thoughts cross my mind, the first is that you may be under medicated, the second is that your expectations for how you expect this drug to work are too high. Does the Sinemet not help to lessen some of your symptoms at all?

Norton

[mikaele]

it is also used for RLS

[soup]

Parkinson's is difficult to diagnose and I know several people who have eventually been told they do not have it although they have been on Parkinson's meds, for years in some cases. It does not seem to have helped the original symptoms which led to the PD diagnosis but neither does it seem to have done any harm

Go back to the neurologist and discuss what they had expected from the treatment, check the dose you were given and ask how long before you should have seen an improvement. Ask what led them to believe you might have Parkinson's and what else the problem could be. Make sure you see either a neurologist or a movement specialist rather than just your GP (primary care physician) as they have a better handle on the differential diagnoses.

Some meds take a few weeks to show that they are being effective so think about how long you have been on them also.

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon...

[Jack4MSA]

I was initially diagnosed as having PD and was on Sinemet, Miripex and Comtan. Changed neurologists and after a MRI the new diagnosis is Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). I take Sinemet to help with bradykinesis and freezing. So there are non-PD uses for Sinemet.