Carbadopa levadopa

[AnneJende]

I have been diagnosed with RLS and prescribed carbadopa levodopa. I do have symptoms throughout the day and night. The side effects are horrible. It effects memory, I'm tired all the time. Anyone else on this med?

[ironbrain]

I've never taken it. Isn't it supposed to be the worst for augmentation? I was asking about black velvet beans when my doc put me on ropinirole though.

[AnneJende in reply to ironbrain]

I was surprised that I had been given such a potent medication at first diagnosis but I do have outbreaks throughout the day and night and it also includes my arms. Apparently that happens. Still having rls 3-4 times per day.

My neurologist is also aware of my history of epilepsy and stroke. Many of the meds for rls I already take for that. Needless to say I feel like a zombie! My whole life is based from a couch. 😕

[ironbrain in reply to AnneJende]

Yes, I also get it in my arms and upper torso. At one time I could wake up and be shuddering, as if my whole system going to stall. Upping my iron intake seems to have cured this extreme problem.

Levadopa, I guess, should just increase the amount of dopamine supplied rather than trying to get increased output from existing dopamine receptors as dopamine agonists do. The former sounds like it should be the healthier option, but from what I've read, it causes greater augmentation than other treatments.

[AnneJende in reply to ironbrain]

So through my own research it is my understanding that the levadopa is the drug for rls and the carbadopa is now, in the US, combined with it to suppress the nausea and vomiting often caused by the levadopa.

[AnneJende]

I did increase my iron intake because my levels were extremely low. I had gastric bypass surgery 10 years ago and it makes keeping these levels up difficult. But I have found a vitamin I can tolerate and I do feel a bit better from that.

I may call my neurologist and question him tomorrow. This med is just too debilitating.

[Hidden in reply to AnneJende]

Hi Anne, there is also a patch for iron that I believe was specifically made for gastric bypass patients. It's called PatchMD iron plus. Thankfully the patch utilizes a type of iron called ferrous bisglycinate along with vitamin c and beta carotene. You can order directly from manufacturer or a website called Bonanza. The nice thing about the patch is that the iron is slowly released over 8 hours. Obviously doesn't pack as much of an initial punch as oral bisglycinate but might be better absorbed by you. Since I use iron for RLS the way someone would use a pain med, I like that initial punch. Good luck!

[AnneJende in reply to Hidden]

Oh wow! Thank you so much! I'm definitely going to try this!

[Hidden in reply to AnneJende]

It's not cheap. With shipping I pay $15 for only 30 patches. I pay $10 for 180 iron tabs which comes to about five cents a pill versus 50 cents for each patch. It's worth it to me and I hope it will be to you

[AnneJende in reply to Hidden]

I'm assuming 1 patch per day? That's actually cheaper than gastric bypass vitamins and I have to chew 4/day.

[Hidden in reply to AnneJende]

Yes please not more than one. Talk to doc and or a nutritionist. Based on what about two dozen people on here have found and most recently Yuna you might not even need a pain med. but have it handy as u withdraw.

[datsoon1]

i have taken levopada for years with no side effects

[AnneJende in reply to datsoon1]

I'm new to this so is levadopa shorthand for carbadopa levadopa?

And REALLY it knocks me out and my thought processes and memory are so bad.