just stsrted taking carbo/levo-dopa. How long does it take to have an effect?

[JanellenGrimaldi]

I am on 100mgs. 3x/day. Seeing my neuro in October for a followup. I know we are all different, but just wondering if it takes a while to take effect. I have been at the 100mgs. dose for a week now. Any thoughts? would be appreciated.

JeG

[janab]

you never know how much you need to take. I took 300 mg three times a day with no effects at all. The reason was because I don't have Parkinson's. I have MSA. Carbidopa levodopa has little or no effect on MSA. Write to your Dr. and ask if you should increase the dose. If nothing happens, and you have no side effects, then you probably don't have Parkinson's.

[shasha in reply to janab]

HELLO JAN - I TOO WAS PUT STRAIGHT ONTO LEVADOPA MEDS BUT TO DATE ( SINCE JAN 2010 ) THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE EFFECT - I HAVE ASKED MY NUERO IF HE THINKS IT IS PSP OR MSA AND HE SAYS IT TAKES FIVE YEARS TO PROVE IT IS NOT PD BUT IT IS ATYPICAL PD ,....

[fisherman in reply to shasha]

Why do people use abbreviations. I for one do not know what most of them stand for and I am sure I am not the only person tht is lost when they are used.

[jillannf6 in reply to fisherman]

i ha ve PSPwhich stands for PROGRESSIVE SUPRANUCLEAR PALSY - henc ethe use ot eh abbrev

the PSP assoc recognises htsi as does MSA AND CBD - all variamts fo PARKINSONS

not beign awkwar d but i tsi such a mouohtful and ikmpossibel to sa y when one 's speech is affedcted

lol Jill

[JIMOC in reply to fisherman]

Use of abbreviations implies famiiiarity with, and, a sense of control over a subject. Using them helps us adjust and accept.

[caljake in reply to janab]

Hi I know your report was four yr ago ,but my husband has had a marked abnormal dat scan . The neurologist thinks it's more likely to be msa but he's on levadopa to see if it helps ,if not it's more likely msa . Can I ask how long it took before you found it was msa rather than pd . Also did you lose your licence my husband drives for a living ,he's worried he'll lose his licence thanks

[Hikoi]

I would have thought immediate effect. I do think for some the effects are quite subtle especially early in treatment and it takes a while to recognize. I noticed improvement with my writing and muscle pain was controlled.

[wifeofparky]

Hubby's dose was just increased for the night time because he can't move in bed and the MDS said give it a week to ten days to see any real effect. I guess everyone is different and I look forward to it working so I can get some sleep. LOL

[olpilot]

When I was first dx with PD the effect was with in a couple days, after that is when the fun starts, tryng to get the right mix for the "long term". Make changes or add every couple months now.

[Hidden]

Once I am up, first thing is take medication. I know they say we should take it at regular specified times but if I try to do that I forget to take it.

After a quick bowl of porridge, I sit at the computer opening emails etc. I know within an hour I start to feel a bit human again, so I reckon it takes about an hour for my medication to kick in.

[kkamegranny in reply to Hidden]

I set the alarm on my cell phone so I always remember to take my meds on time. It helps for me!

[tmhiggs]

Sounds like me oldtyke, as soon as I get up in the morning i usually take my meds

around 4 a... Can't sleep. Then i get something to eat and sit in front of the computer and wait for my meds to kick in...... for me they usually take anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour and a half to take affect and I need to take doses every 2 hours. I am on SInemet and MirapexMirapex

[Brooke]

I take my first dose when I get up. I do not eat until it kicks in in about 1/2 hr. to 45 min.

[PatV]

Hi JaneEllen. HAve you been diagnosed? Or are they giving you this to see if it has an effect? That's how they diagnose PD. If it helps you got it. For me now after 6 years it usually kicks in within the hour. My mood lifts and I start kicking usually. If having digestion problems, which is often, it takes longer. I have to eat with meds.

[JanellenGrimaldi]

Pat--

I was dxed in 2009. My main symptom is a right hand and foot tremor. I don't see much of an improvement while on the meds. I think the dose may have to be increased...

[FluteReed]

It takes 15 to 30 minutes to take full effect. Then it wears off in about 5 to 6 hours. That's why it's 3x a day. Mine worked the first pill. It was amazing. If yours isn't doing that you need to go straight back to the doctor to try something else or reconsider the diagnosis. It's often referred to as confirmation of diagnosis by prescription.