TOO MUCH SINEMET OR NOT ENOUGH? How can you tell the difference?

[biggiemo]

[Pete-1]

Not enough - no discernable change n symptoms.

Too much - Feeling very agitated with a kind of buzzing sensation that is difficult to describe in words. This only lasts for a hour or 2 or thereabouts at least with only a small overdose. What happens with a big overdose I'm not sure. Could easily result in dyskineasia. perhaps. If you are one of those unfortunate to suffer biliousness when taking Levodopa then I expect you may also feel sick.

[biggiemo in reply to Pete-1]

Thanks so much! I do get that buzzing sensation (sometimes between doses) but I thought that was what the docs call dyskesia.This sensation I refer to usually happens between doses and gives me the feeling like I am using a TENS unit set too high. Feels like the "jitters" of one or both legs and feet, sometimes arms also

Thanks so much for your input. Do you think this sounds like too much or not enough Sinemet?

[Pete-1 in reply to biggiemo]

Probably too much at a guess.

[bigbob in reply to Pete-1]

I am at my 2 up

[PatV]

How long have you had it and what kind of PD do you have? For me not enough means PAIN in thighs and ab and no digestion, etc. Too much means (sometimes violent) dyskinesia in upper (non-affected) body. But I've been dx 10 yrs on sinemet 7

[biggiemo in reply to PatV]

I have been on Sinemet almost 2 years, dx was Sep 2011. Horrible reaction to Requip XL but OK with immediate release for RLS crisis. I do not have a tremor. My Sinemet does not last 4 hours which is what my doc suggested. I am good for about 2 and 1/2 to 3 hours per dose (25/100 one and a half tabs) Looking for a happy medium. Thanks so much

[honeycombe3]

Like Patv I am dxd 10 yrs & taking Sinemet for 5 or 6yrs. I get the lactic burn muscle pain when under-medicated, especially in my legs & along my arms. Re over-medicating I get jittery as others mention but I'm very dose-sensitive so I worked with my PD nurse to regulate Sinemet over 24 hrs. At present I take:

1x12.5mg chewed 1st thing

30 mins later 1x Requip cr 8mg - 1x dispersible Madopar - 1x Sinemet+

4hrs later 1x Sinemet+

4hours later 1x Sinemet+

4 hours later 1x Sinemet+ - 1x Sinemet slow release (half strength) for evening activity

2 hours later 1x Sinemet+

2 hours later 1x Sinemet+ if needed - not often.

If I start to tremor between doses I chew the 'rescue' dose of 1x 12.5mg (a quarter) Sinemet - up to 3 per day

in this way I usually stay at or under the recommended 6 Sinemet+ max dose & I'm able to function almost without pain or tremor.

[biggiemo in reply to honeycombe3]

Thanks so much!

[gmunsot in reply to biggiemo]

I take 1/2 Sinemet 4 times a day and it seems work, but not in of. I also take Sifrol

[biggiemo in reply to gmunsot]

Thank you, how many hours apart for Sinemet?

[gmunsot in reply to biggiemo]

I try to take the Sinemet each 4 hours. Sometimes is difficult because you have to wait 2 hours if you eat for take it or eat after 1/2 hour take sinemet. Is recomended to take the sinemet with the stomach empty. Also I take Sifrol (Pramipexol) 3mg in the morning and another at 5 or 6 afternoon 1.5 mg.

My doctor explain to me that the sinemet is better if you convine with sifrol.

I hope you can understand my English.

Regards

Guadalupe

[biggiemo in reply to gmunsot]

Thanks so much for sharing your info. Much appreciated!

[cjsg]

What do you mean 6 Sinemet+ max dose? If that is 6 pills,what is the amount of medication? Also is that a general recommendation, or is that from the manufacturer, or from your doctor to you?

[biggiemo in reply to cjsg]

Sorry, but I am not understanding this post. I would also like to know what it means. Thanks

[honeycombe3]

cjsg, sorry - the language of the drug companies varies so can be confusing. My PD nurse tels me that 600mg Sinemet is the max recommended daily dose after 10 yrs dx. That would be 5 x Sinemet plus (25/100) except for some reason the quarters don't count so 5 x Sinemet plus tabs = 500mg. This leaves 2 x 12.5/50 (quarter) + 1 x half Sinemet cr (slow release) to make up the ration. I can't speak for anyone else but this works for me. It gives me flexibility within the guidelines to control my symptoms. Please refer to your GP or nurse to discuss dosages & timings as I am a lay person speaking from experience.

[AMHACK]

Hello biggiemo I have actually decreased the dosage of sinamet that I was taking on 2 different occasions due to my bodies reaction to the medication. I started walking with a real strange gait and my right arm would swing from way out in front of me and back so far as to actually touch my knuckles to the opposite shoulder blade. And no matter how hard I tried to stop it I couldn't. After I decreased my dosage my armsswing become ALMOST normal again immediately.

[biggiemo in reply to AMHACK]

Great to hear you decreased. That is what I was wondering, too much may be my problem.

[JWebb994]

If you experience a problem a short time after taking it, too much.

If you experience a problem more than 2 hrs after taking it. Not enough.. it is logical.