Supplements along with Carbidopa

[procaffeinator]

Is it safe to take Macuna pruriens while taking 25/100 of Carbidopa or any other supplements like Magnesium or thyamine? I began taking my Carbidopa 3 doses per day spread out every 5 hours. First one at 7 am, second one at 12 pm and the third at 5 pm. Is it safe to not take three capsules a day and instead take 2 capsules throughout the day since my symptoms are not severe and also because I sleep early most days? I began taking 2 a day. I wake up at 7 am and take 1 capsule and then take the next dose at 1 pm. I think it’s not necessary to take the 3rd dose at 6 since since it’s so late at the end of day and I sleep at 9 sometimes 10 pm. Is this change going to mess with my Parkinson’s symptoms and make it worse that I changed the dosage and time routine?

[parkie13]

You did not mention what kind of mucuna pruriens you are taking. You didn't say if it's just a straight ground up Bean or if it's 15%, 42%, 100% levodopa content in the mucuna.

[procaffeinator in reply to parkie13]

I haven’t taken any Macuna pruriens. I don’t know what it is to be honest, but in this forum or group, many are stating it’s a great supplement. Do you recommend any specific kind? I looked in amazon and Bulksupplements.com has good ratings. Thank you for replying so quickly

[parkie13 in reply to procaffeinator]

The ground up bean itself contains a small amount of levodopa plus it contains many other compounds that are good for Parkinson's. I think that you could add a half a teaspoon of mucuna pruriens ground up Bean with your Regiment of Carbidopa / levodopa pill. As far as trying mucuna pruriens that is standardized I would be careful of it as long as you're taking your carbidopa-levodopa pills. You would have to go by how you feel. The mucuna pruriens comes in different standardized strength. There are some at 15%, 42%, 98%, 100% levodopa content.

You can do a search on this site, so you could put in mucuna pruriens and read some of that older posts. If you click on more heading a Dropbox will appear and you can click on search Mary

[Tryguy]

When you say “Carbidopa”, are specifying carbidopa (the inhibitor only?) OR the levodopa/carbidopa combo that is usually prescribed at 25/100..etc?? I ask because I use carbidopa (only) with Mucuna at 100% l-dopa. I do not use the synthetic levodopa. Thanks!

[procaffeinator in reply to Tryguy]

Thank you for your reply. It is Carbidopa and Levadopa.

[Cagey84]

Mucuna pruriens contains EXACTLY the same molecule of levodopa as the levodopa/carbidopa. So it is absolutely NOT a good idea to take the two together, as you then can't be certain about the amount you're taking. Personally, I just stick to the well-characterised, highly pure, tablets from the pharmacy.

Taking 2 a day doesn't seem to be a problem for you based on your symptoms, so I would go with it, but it wouldn't harm to check with your neurologist.

[procaffeinator in reply to Cagey84]

Thank you. I have asked the neurologist and the answer was:

Macuna pruriens contains levodopa and that is why patients with Parkinson`s feel better with it. It does not affect the progression of the disease. If you are feeling well with the carbidopa-levodopa you are taking now, I would not recommend you to take additionally the Macuna. This will increase your exposure to levodopa and increase your risk to develop dyskinesias sooner. If your symptoms are not well controlled with the carbidopa-levodopa, then it is preferable to make changes in the medication rather than taking the Macuna, as the tablet has a more predictable effect compared to what we see with Macuna.

[MBAnderson]

I agree with parkie13 that it is safe to take Mucuna Pruriens with carbidopa/levodopa, but only if you know exactly what you're doing to ensure you're getting the dose precisely correct and I agree with Cagey84 that is generally not a good idea unless you are perfectly clear as to how to get the dose correct -- and it is complex. PWP tend to report that because of the other compounds in MP, it tends to induce less dyskinesia. In other words, they are not unsafe together per se, it depends on how you do it.

As for your other question, "Is it safe not to take 3 capsules..." I assume you mean is it okay, is it wise, is that the best thing for you ... because it is always safe not to take a pharmaceutical. Generally speaking, I think the idea is to take as much is you need, but as little as you can (because it is the ever-increasing dosing that induces dyskinesia, although at 2 or 3 capsules a day, that's not likely to be an issue.)

Changing the doping and timing won't "mess with their Parkinson's," that is, make it worse because it has no effect on the underlying disease. How much and when you take it will only affect how well it controls your symptoms.

I think you got some good answers here, but if it's still not clear ask again.

[MBAnderson]

If I might try to clarify this a little bit, while all molecules levodopa are the same, because of the variations in purity and quality of the different MP products, it's not realistic to achieve a perfect equivalent with milligrams of levodopa, which is why parkie says you have to go by how it controls your symptoms i.e. how you feel.

[procaffeinator in reply to MBAnderson]

I understood. Thank you for clarifying to me to avoid confusion.

[MBAnderson]

While I'm pontificating, or bloviating if you prefer, the other thing you asked was about taking other supplements Sinemet and yes, most PWP take a variety of supplements and vitamins Sinemet.

[procaffeinator in reply to MBAnderson]

Ok. I will supplement with vitamins and hold off on the MP. Here’s the doctors reply to me:

Macuna pruriens contains levodopa and that is why patients with Parkinson`s feel better with it. It does not affect the progression of the disease. If you are feeling well with the carbidopa-levodopa you are taking now, I would not recommend you to take additionally the Macuna. This will increase your exposure to levodopa and increase your risk to develop dyskinesias sooner. If your symptoms are not well controlled with the carbidopa-levodopa, then it is preferable to make changes in the medication rather than taking the Macuna, as the tablet has a more predictable effect compared to what we see with Macuna.

[MBAnderson in reply to procaffeinator]

He or she has it right

[nsofka]

Macuna Pruiens is a natural form of L-Dopa. Just know that you are increasing your l-dopa intake with your levadopa (artificial l-dopa)

[sunvox]

So bottom line you think the internet has a better answer than a neurologist, but you can't read the research yourself?

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You were given an answer from your doctor. Stop taking macuna.

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I am a firm believer in "alternative therapy",, and you can read all about what I am doing by clicking on the link below:

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healthunlocked.com/ataxia-u....

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BUT

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in order to use "alternative therapies" you really should try to understand the WHY first, and if you can't do that then maybe just stick to the doctor's directions.

[procaffeinator]

I’m not taking Macuna Pruriens or vatimins. I am asking questions only. I asked if it was safe. I’m am not here asking questions to get a prescription from people in a group that have Parkinson’s. I am not here to replace my neurologist with people’s answers. I don’t think the internet has a better answer and yes I can read research. Doctors only want to shove medication and are so quick to write a prescription. I asked if Macuna was safe, along with other vitamins so that I can determine if others have done so with Carbidopa. And then after reading whether it worked for others, I’d decide whether to take supplements or not. What a jerk.