Sensitivity to Levadopa: Has anyone... - Cure Parkinson's

Cure Parkinson's

26,573 members27,877 posts

Sensitivity to Levadopa

SFLR profile image
SFLR
34 Replies

Has anyone experienced severe dyskenesia and over sensitivity to sinemet? I was taking half a25/100 x 3 a day. Just on sinemet two and half months. After flu severe reaction and dyskenesia clammy hardly able to walk. Now on quarter and 500 mgs B1 with Dr C but neurologist wants me to start Pramipexole. I don't want to. Any thoughts advice? I've always been super sensitive to medication and am very slight. Diagnosed 12/17

Written by
SFLR profile image
SFLR
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
34 Replies
SFLR profile image
SFLR

Dyskenesia started half hour after taking half a tablet

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace

I started dyskinesia at four months on less than 300 mg daily. I react to 1/4 of a 25/100 mg carbidopa/levodopa pill. I do better on the 10/100 formulation although I still have dyskinesia most of the time. You can try cutting the pills in half and taking them more frequently.

SFLR profile image
SFLR in reply toJuliegrace

What meds do you take?❤

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace in reply toSFLR

I take c/l (generic Sinemet) 10/100, 3 or 4 times daily and started amantadine about a month ago to help with the dyskinesia. I think it helps a little. I also take thiamine injections and various supplements.

SFLR profile image
SFLR in reply toJuliegrace

Go well my friend

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace in reply toSFLR

Right back at you 😌.

park_bear profile image
park_bear in reply toJuliegrace

The controlled-release / extended-release versions of Sinemet are much less prone to cause dyskinesia - they provide a nice even flow of levodopa instead of dumping it into your body all at once.

park_bear profile image
park_bear

You are right to resist pramipexole. This is a dopamine agonist, and these commonly cause impulse control disorders - compulsive sex, gambling shopping or eating. They also commonly cause orthostatic hypotension, a fancy term for loss of blood pressure upon standing, and consequent fainting and uncontrolled falls.

Bazillion profile image
Bazillion in reply topark_bear

It doesn’t affect everyone. I was taking Premipexole 3.1ER for 5 years with NO side effects. Then I started to get fluid retention. Dr reduced Premipexole to 2.61 Er and added Levodopa 100/25 three times a day. I found I only needed it twice a day. After 9 months I felt I needed the third dose . Within a couple of weeks the dyskinesia started.Within an hour of taking it my my lower jaw stiffens bottom teeth clamp OVER my top teeth can hardly open my mouth or speak. this can last 1-3 hrs then happens again with the next dose..

Dr has increased Premipexole back to 3.1 and reduced Madopar100/25 @ 7 am Then 50/12.5 @ noon and 5pm.Still getting the dyskinesia but not so bad without worsening of PD symptoms.

I’m glad of those 5 years on the Premipexole alone without the dyskinesia as if I started on the Madopar I would now be 6 years with dyskinesia.

I still bike 40-50 km twice a week ply 2 hrs tennis twice a week, do 70-90000 steps a week, have just removed the bath and Installed a walk in shower,retiled and laid a laminate floor,and on Sunday celebrated my 70 th !

Exercise,positive attitude,and a wife who keeps me motivated work far better than any meds!

SFLR profile image
SFLR in reply toBazillion

Thank you

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper

Because no medication on the market has been proven to be able to even slow down the progression of Pd, let alone reverse its symptoms; may I suggest that you take a look at doing exercise instead of taking medication. Exercise has no side effects, like dyskinesia, it can only help you.

Because it is impossible to tell you all about what I have said, here on this website; take a look at my website - reverseparkinsons.net, which will cost you nothing. Then contact me, which will cost you nothing and I will tell you everything you need to know about how I was able to reverse my Pd symptoms, which will cost you NOTHING!

SFLR profile image
SFLR in reply toJohnPepper

Thank you John I'll take a look at your website

Rosabellazita profile image
Rosabellazita in reply toJohnPepper

I excerise but cannot slow down this horrible tremor.its keeping me awake at night

Macelott2 profile image
Macelott2

I have l always thought and been told that you should not break Sinemet cr because it interferes with effect.

HeartSong profile image
HeartSong in reply toMacelott2

Isn't that just with the controlled release formula?

Wili96 profile image
Wili96

Hi

Yes unfortunately that happened to me 7 months ago I believe it’s reaction from your mediation

jeffmayer profile image
jeffmayer

I had my levadopa dose increased due to wearing off but I have to say the more exercise I do the easier it gets

BlueCrabLVR profile image
BlueCrabLVR

My husband has been on Sinemet for 2.5 years. Unfortunately the dr that prescribed it retired right after hubby started taking it. Within a month he began falling asleep about 45 minutes after taking it. I noted this and brought it to the new neurologist attention. His advice... increase the Sinemet. Hubby's daytime sleepiness got worse and his quality of life was horrible. He couldn’t wake up in the morning, began wetting the bed and was sleeping most of the day.The dr decided to try Rytary, slowly weaning him off Sinemet and adding the Rytary. At first I didn’t notice a change until the dr increased the Rytary and then all heck broke loose. Hubby began having hallucinations and delusions, couldn’t form words and became very aggressive. A trip to the ER last weekend ended with no more Sinement or Rytary . He has had the best week of his life in two years. He is alert, no daytime sleepiness, he is walking better, speaking better. I know this is more than you wanted to read, but this is our experience with Sinemet.

20fatcat profile image
20fatcat in reply toBlueCrabLVR

Thats good to hear hes feeling better now . Maybe mucuna puriens the natural form of dopamine from the bean plant would be better to try.Its not a pharmaceutical. I stopped my sinemet and felt great for a couple of days but then symptoms came back again.Hope it goes well for you.

BlueCrabLVR profile image
BlueCrabLVR in reply to20fatcat

Thank you!

Rosabellazita profile image
Rosabellazita in reply to20fatcat

Did you go back on the sinemet?

20fatcat profile image
20fatcat in reply toRosabellazita

Yes I went back on sinemet but cut back to 1 X 3 a day along with my B1 mannitol vit B12 Vit D and probiotics and have change to a stronger CBD but only 3 drops every 3 hours .This is working quite well but I have to really be careful I m not late taking a dose as everything can start running out at times during the day. I saw on you tube talk by John Gray that mucuna should be taken with Tyrosine and 5HTP other wise it doesn't work fully so am thinking of trying it again with the other supplements in a few months. I didnt feel so flat on the mucuna.

Crescendo profile image
Crescendo in reply to20fatcat

Do you take Mucuna purines? How much do you take daily, and what do you mix it with. Does it cross the blood barrier and is it effective?

20fatcat profile image
20fatcat

Pramipexole gave me very very sore neck on one side . But we are all different. I stopped it straight away.

HeartSong profile image
HeartSong

I've been on levodopa therapy for about 7 years. I take 1.5 tablets every 2.5 hours. Last winter, I started having very strong dyskinesia. I've discovered that spreading the medication out slightly and not bombarding my body all at once with the drug helps. So, now I take one tablet at the appointed hour, and I take the half tablet 30 to 45 minutes later. I still get dyskinesia but not as severely.

(I made a bad mistake last winter which I think was a major factor in getting the dyskinesia started. I stopped exercising after having been religious about it for years. I think I stopped exercising because I got very involved in a couple of projects and also Parkinson's apathy may have played a part. I'm trying to work my way back to my daily exercise schedule now, but it's difficult. Lesson: don't stop the exercise!)

ConnieD profile image
ConnieD

I’m very sensitive to medications too, developed dyskinesia within the first few weeks of taking Sinemet. My neuro added pramilexole a few years ago and my dyskinesia only worsened. It was also difficult to get off of, I’m glad I’m off it. I never experienced any adverse side effects other than more dyskinesia.

We are all so different but it was not a good experience for me. Hope this helps.😊

SFLR profile image
SFLR in reply toConnieD

Thank you Connie what are you on now?

ConnieD profile image
ConnieD in reply toSFLR

Sinemet and I’m trying Amantadine again and supplements including B1 and mannitol

nsofka profile image
nsofka

Yes I have had side effects and I am unable to get on a full dose (Carbadopa/Levadopa 25/100 3 full tabs a day)

I have rocking movement in my hips and my gait is altered on less than 2 tabs a day. This started up 2 weeks into taking the medication. I've been trying to adjust dosage for a year now. I've tried splitting the pills up in smaller doses with no success. I either have side effects or I have bad pd symptoms. I don't know what to do and I don't think the doctor knows either, he's confused. I have been searching for alternative methods, meantime symptoms are getting worse. Checking out the B1 as well.

SFLR profile image
SFLR in reply tonsofka

I totally understand how you feel. It's being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Take care

serg profile image
serg

Hi SFLR Some neuro has to advice which meds you need to take so you can live happy, however i have being taking Sinemet for the last 5 years and i'm ok, i also taking for the last year Pramipexole which make me sleep nice, I know that all parkis we are different, and have to live with this condition,until there's a cure which is coming.

SFLR profile image
SFLR in reply toserg

Thank you Serg Your positive attitude is awesome

serg profile image
serg

Hope you feel better

My best regards

JAS9 profile image
JAS9

Yes, Sinemet was a disaster for me. Even a tiny dose set off all of the side effects that others have listed. I guess I just am sensitive to many of the PD drugs because they all hit me hard. I was off all meds for 2 years until a new neurologist gave me Rytary. That's worked well for 3 years. No other meds, though I'm trying B1 now.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Flu and Parkinson's

Hi all I've recently had a very bad dose of flu and since then have experienced a worsening of my...
SFLR profile image

Have you developed dyskenesia and, if so, how troublesome and/or noticeable is it?

Have any of you been on sinemet for many years without developing dyskenesia? Those of you that...
Mark1 profile image

Have you considered DBS? It is recommended for people with midstage PD who for whom meds are no longer working well!

Don't wait too long to get DBS--' if you're Parkinson's gets too severe it won't work as well ....
sdekozan profile image

Unable to take Sinemet.

I have PD and been on Azilect for a couple of years. I need to begin Sinemet per Neurologist but I...
Yardmom7 profile image

Milk blocking levadopa

I found this interesting article, though not exactly new news, explaining why milk can block the...
Seamus6 profile image

Moderation team

See all
CPT_Aleksandra profile image
CPT_AleksandraAdministrator
CPT_Anaya profile image
CPT_AnayaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.