Underwhelmed by Madopar

[jeeves19]

Hi gang. Is this drug meant to work instantly with ones symptoms or do you need few weeks and aggregate an amount in your system? I’m very surprised at how little difference it makes to my symptoms considering it’s the gold standard etc. I certainly had my honeymoon period with both Azilect and Requip and was looking forward to the day I began Levodopa in a way. But it hasn’t made much difference really and I’m surprised. I take 200mg daily on top of the two drugs already mentioned . Any comments or similar experiences would be welcome. Thanks

[fwes]

My motto: If it doesn't help, don't take it.

It seems that all of the PD meds have a serious SIDE EFFECT for someone!

PD drugs mess with your mind -- They are supposed to.

Search for SIDE EFFECT on this site. Get an eyeful!

[Joanne_Joyce in reply to fwes]

Good to see you on this site again Wes. Hope you are doing well.

[Astra7]

Worked pretty quickly for me. Your dose is quite low- maybe not enough? Perhaps press on for a few weeks and try to take it when you are not eating protein or fibre.

[Joanne_Joyce]

Maybe another form of Levodopa would work better for you, e.g. Sinamet.

[Roger78]

Hi Jeeves

It seems that we have the same issue. Till last July I was taking Azilect and Neupro 8 mg. My neuro added Modopar 50 mg (+12.5) three times a day. In November I visited a new Neuro who told me that I was underdosed. Now my prescription is Modopar 100 mg 3x per day and I feel good My explanation is : if you begin directly with Modopar minimum dose is sufficient Hope it helps😊

[Hidden in reply to Roger78]

Does madapar speed walking pace? Does madapar improve posture?

[jeeves19]

Thanks all for taking the time. Most appreciated and Roger it is good to know that there is somebody else experiencing the same. Good luck to all.

[Eliza-Jane in reply to jeeves19]

Hi Jeeves. I mentioned I was back on Azilect, I am on 1mg per day, not 5. My mistake. I wasn't coping, especially with Xmas coming up, extra shopping, cooking and stress. I have lost my prescription from my recent visit to my Neurologist who had given me a choice of a 50mg dose of Levadopa (similar to Stalevo). I have put myself on to 150mg Stalevo to get through this period. I can't find my 100mg!

Give yourself a month on anything new, miracle drug or not. I wish everyone on this forum a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. May 2018 find a drug to stop/slow down Parkinson's. If not, thank you all for being here for me. xx

[ge1shh]

It takes some weeks before the effect really works. I think you should give it 4 weeks at least. It was/is my first PD medication, so maybe different for you. It quickly seemed to calm my anxiety (though maybe that was psychological!), but took a number of weeks before it calmed my tremor, which it did.

[Marcomando]

Hi - I just started on Madopar too at the beginning of December. First four days was very low dose to check how it was tolerated then increased and increased again. All at a non therapeutic level until after two weeks I was increased again to full standard therapeutic dose. I’m now taking 2 x 62.5 (50 + 12.5)mg three times a day so that’s a total of 300 mg of Levodopa.

I’m not having any side effects and it’s made a big difference I’m delighted to say.

It didn’t make any noticeable difference until I got to the full dose though - so I suspect you simply need to get your dose increased.

Hope this helps, you’ve got my contact details I think if you want any more info 🙂

Best wishes - and happy Christmas! 🎄🥂

Marc

[jeeves19 in reply to Marcomando]

Thanks Marc and a Merry Christmas to you too!

[jeeves19 in reply to Marcomando]

Marc. Just re-reading through this thread. Are you on Azilect and do you take an agonist as well as the Madopar? Hope things are good with you!

[Marcomando in reply to jeeves19]

No, just 1mg Rasagiline and the above 300mg of Ldopa (Madopar).

In truth I quite often reduce the Madopar if I don’t feel I need it. I’m trying to limit the amount I take if possible to give me more room to increase later on. For example today I took one Madopar just before lunch when my L hand was shaky and I’ve not hand a pill since. However tomorrow I’ll be working so I’ll probably take two, maybe three if I have to work late.

I find it makes a big difference to stiffness and slowness but less to tremor.

I hope you’re doing ok?

Marc

[Bailey_Texas]

Your dose is very small. I am in my 12th year of PD.

Please do not increase your dose without telling your DR.

I take 3,000 mg of Levodopa a day along with 12mg of Requip.

[Pelley in reply to Bailey_Texas]

The difference in dosage amazes me. If I were to take 12 mg of requip I would most likely be comatose!

[moonel60]

Hi I don't take any PD meds now after suffering serious side effects.

I am so much better with out them.

good luck

Robyn

[jimo2017 in reply to moonel60]

i have not taken pd meds for 2 weeks with no significant change to my PD

[AmyLindy in reply to jimo2017]

Please keep us posted - hope u stay well

[munchybunch in reply to moonel60]

What were yr side effects pls? My husband doesn’t seem to tolerate them either. He’s just started on madopar and has just gone to bed feeling really unwell.

[munchybunch in reply to moonel60]

What were yr side effects pls? My hubby is on madopar and has reacted badly feeling fluey, shaky and tired. Did you feel like this. I wonder if he had Pd after all. He tried sifrol and reacted badly too. I was told the only way to tell if you have Pd is if you react well to the drugs. Is this true??

[moonel60]

Sometimes it makes you wonder how much money the big drug companies are making!!

Robyn

[jeeves19 in reply to moonel60]

So how do you function ?! Without them I’m so slow. I wouldn’t be able to go to work without drugs😕

[grower]

No positive effect for me either :/ Interesting to hear others have same non-response