New to sinemet

[Judyrsmith]

How do you avoid having protein interfere with uptake but get enough protein for health?

[Hidden]

I must eat most of my protein with supper (i.e., AFTER the last c/l dose of the day).

Note, if you are newly diagnosed, you will probably not need to worry about when you eat your protein....

[ScribblerCLT]

My neurologist says my dosage is too small to worry about protein interference. I take 200/50 five times a day and controlled release 200/50 at bedtime.

[Judyrsmith in reply to ScribblerCLT]

Maybe that’s why my doc gave no instructions. I’m just shifting from Mirapex to Sinemet so take 3 a day, low dose. They work like magic. I almost recognize myself again. I hope if I use them carefully they give me another decade!!

With appreciation

Judy

[ScribblerCLT in reply to Judyrsmith]

Great! Even a first stable decade is pretty good!

[Hidden]

Ditto Levod. My doc said to severely limit morning protein. Eat cereal without milk

[Judyrsmith in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[laglag]

I use Parkinson's Protein rule & it usually works for me. If you take your pills, wait a 1/2 an hour before you eat & if you eat, wait an hour before you take your meds.

Also, about the milk, I use Almond and/or Coconut milk. I just checked & I have Almond right now & it's only 1 g of protein vs 8 in 2% milk.

[Hidden in reply to laglag]

I also use almond milk one fortified with calcium. Seems to help.

[Judyrsmith in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks

Judy

[PositivePen]

Your question is very relevant as I now need to take Sinemet every 90 minutes! Therefore if I wait 30 minutes before eating and I don’t take my next dose until an hour after a meal containing protein there is actually no time before my following dose!

I’ve tried to reduce my protein intake at lunch but I need to ensure I still have a healthy diet. Because I now have significant dyskinesia I’m losing weight and am on the low end of the BMI safe range - I weigh less than I did when I got married nearly 48 years ago!

Don’t worry yourself about what may happen in the future as I’m sure you’re not taking a large enough dose for this to be a problem. By the time you are you’ll be an expert at tweaking the timing of your meds.

[Judyrsmith in reply to PositivePen]

Thank you for your help. I want that Sinemet to last for many years so try to stretch it out. Especially while in pandemic lockdown, my social life is not demanding, so I try to stretch it for hours. However, I cannot seem to sleep without it. Is that true for you?

With appreciation

Judy

[Hidden]

eat normally just dont eat at same time you take sinemet. cheers.

[Judyrsmith in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like solid advice and easy to follow.

Do you need sinemet in the evening in order to sleep? I try to limit my drugs but find I stare at the ceiling without some dopamine

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Judyrsmith]

i take a 25/100 to ease me into sleep. im on a respirator all night thouh as pd has weakened my chest muscles and my lungs dont fill up but when i take the sinemet it relaxes that process. cheers!

[Judyrsmith in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Sorry to hear of respirator. Our disease has infinite ways to get us!Glad you are strong enough to deal with it. Judy

[Hidden in reply to Judyrsmith]

your very welcome

[Olddog9]

Have you ever heard of anyone diagnosed with protein deficiency who wasn’t starving themselves? There is protein in almost everything including most fruits, as noted just don’t take with your food.

[Hil101 in reply to Olddog9]

My ex-partner and his strict vegetarian diet (no fish) is an example of a problematic low-protein diet. You can add up enough protein rapidly if it’s an animal or fish source. But vegetarian sources are far harder to eat in adequate quantities and some of the measurable protein may not be sufficiently bioavailable, especially with an ageing body suffering from PD. He often gets symptoms of protein deficiency (flaking skin, thinning hair, ridged nails) and is anaemic, sorry to say, but not motivated to tackle these issues meaningfully. He also gets atrial fibrillation and has lost muscle but some of that may be down to PD

[Olddog9 in reply to Hil101]

There’s a great read “ Protein Aholic” by Dr. Garth Davis. Good Health to All !!

[Judyrsmith in reply to Olddog9]

Thank you!

[Judyrsmith in reply to Hil101]

Interesting. thank you. I already have rigged nails when I thought I ate plenty of protein. Judy

[Hil101 in reply to Judyrsmith]

Probably doesnt mean low protein if you have a decent diet - I'm not a nutritionist

[PositivePen]

I haven’t ever not taken Sinemet since I started on it but my sleep pattern is random as far as I can see. Mostly it seems to be after a stressed evening rather than related to what I eat or do - meaning that I can have a sleepless night when I’m very tired but equally it can occur after a restful evening. We refer to Parkinson’s as BP - Bloody Parkinson’s!

[Judyrsmith]

Thank you. I have same sleep issues which I cannot analyze or make sense of.

Judy

[GymBag]

The problem with protein interfering with the uptake of meds, is one story. Then there is the problem of taking medication on an empty stomach, it sneaks up and puts a hole where stomach lining should be . Then you may have heard of constipation the treatment of which includes large changes to your diet. If you are exercising you need some energy but if sendintary due to problems moving then your getting fat. I dont have a dog but if I did he would also be fat from picking up all the food I drop. So I will avoid peas , soft boiled eggs and popcorn and spegetti . The strict regimenting of it all finally gets to a point where you just do what you can and live with the cosequences .