The more I take, the less I make ...

[johnwt]

Sometimes I think that this phrase accurately describes the taking of L-dopa (in my case Sinemet).

Do other sometimes feel it is like this?

John.

[Hidden]

I don't really understand your statement....please explain. I take Sinemet so would like to know what you are thinking.

[johnwt in reply to Hidden]

Birdworld,

I've gone from zero to twelve Sinemet (25/100) per day in less than 6 years.

I sometimes wonder if the presence the dopamine present in my brain as a result of ingesting all that l-dopa causes the dopamine producing cells to shut down prematurely. Homeostasis is a major concern of all living systems and there must be many mechanisms monitoring and adjusting the level of neurotransmitters considering how important they are. Once you get a number of interacting feedback loops it is almost impossible to predict the effect of changing any one of them.

Having said that the homeostasis mechanisms have evolved over millions of years to maintain the status quo so they can probably deal with this variation .

John.

[BillDavid]

johnwt

I too am on Sinemet. My understanding, lovadopa is a precursor chemical of dopamine. Seems like a sort of a linear relationship. When I went on Sinemet, my Neurologist explained to me that the big deal was levodopa's absorption through the gut. was a major issue, was not competitive with other molecules getting through the gut wall.. Bottom line, I fast an hour before and an hour after taking a pill.

Sinemet aiso contains cardodopa. What this for? My doc explained that this had to do with something about dealing with levodopa in the body, that did not get into the brain. The extra levodopa would have to be in the brain to produce extra dopamine.

MY take on what my Doc was trying to say\, was that what was going on with Sinemet was multifactorial, Several factors involved. Thinking about your comment, took me back to what my doc said. My take away from my doc, was to be consistent as possible in taking it. Apparently, just because you take more, does not mean, the more is going to end up in your brain where it needs to be to work?

BillDavid

[johnwt in reply to BillDavid]

BillDavid,

I too have settled on the hour fast before and after a dose of Sinemet.

This can cause a problem synchronising meals with other people and sometimes I've wondered if all that time was strictly necessary. Have you read anything authoritative about this time period you can cite?

John.

[BillDavid in reply to johnwt]

John

I am 74, retired, live with my wife who was a widow in a house trailer on a small horse farm owned by her daughter and son-in-law.. At present I use an electric wheel chair. We have a van converted with an electric ramp. Besides the fasts, take Sinement at 5:00 am, 11:00am, 5:00Pm and then the last dose at11:00 pm. I also take Selegine twice daily which requires taken with food. At 6:00 am and 12 noon. I don't get a lot of sleep, however, my wife goes to bed around 11:00 pm and usually sleeps to midmorning. That leaves lunch and an evening meal. Our social life focuses on listening to Blue Grass music and Country Dancing two evenings and two afternoons, then weekly Physical Therapy and hair appointment, we are usually on the go. Church works out usually Sunday evening.

We are on the go. eat most all of our meals (one or two) out. Other wise snatch individually on our own. Only time conflict for myself, might be the 5:00 pm Sinement., which I would move up or setback one half hour to conform to schedule for eating with others. That is to conform to time food is actually served. By the time get drinks, order from menu, to when food served takes a half hour on its own.

BillDavid

[BillDavid in reply to BillDavid]

John

to address your other question, I have no stomach problems at all with Siniement., and I find the effect very steady. I don't plan to mess with that at all. I know other PwP who clump their pills together, who have problems with both stomach and effect,

Probably should look up the research. Know of some who use a longer fast, 1 1/2 hours.

BillDavid

[Dap1948]

My instinct says keep Ldopa low and make the brain work. Is this what you mean?

[johnwt in reply to Dap1948]

Dap1948,

Basically yes. Try to get the most benefit from what I do take in case taking more causes my brain to make less dopamine.

As I said in my reply to Birdworld i don't know that this happens but it could.

John.

[movinngroovin]

II couldn't tale to-- has me down to not taking any!!!

[Hidden]

movingroovin, is that what I'm reading, you were decreased with the dosage to nothing with Sinemet?

[etterus]

I recently discussed this issue with my neurologist comparing levodopa to testerone/steroids. She related that the research does not support the analogy. The brain does not stop making dopamine because we are supplementing it.

[johnwt in reply to etterus]

Etterus,

The replies to my note seem to agree with your neurologist.

Thanks for your note.

John.

[Beckey]

Isn't that the case with so many drugs?

[si-simary]

I was taking carbidopa/levodopa 25/100 10 tabs daily. This caused me to have orthostatic hypotension.My neuro weened me down to 7 tabs (with lots of side effects)

7 tabs seems to be the best amount and my B/P Is back up where it should be.

[Hidden]

I am taking carbidopa/levodopa 25/100 12 tabs daily 2 every 4 hours 24 hours a day

the consistency of taking it even at midnight and 4 am

keeps me on 95% of the time

i don't sleep well so taking then around the clock is not a problem

"The more I take, the less I make"

is not true for me