Should a higher dose of siminet help?

[maryg]

My legs are starting to feel very stiff and I now feel quite a lot of pain in them when I haven't walked very far at all. At the moment I take 3 half tablets of siminet a day and 9mgs of ropinerol. Has anyone found that a higher dose of sinimet is helpful for stiff painful legs? I would very much appreciate any input on this. Maryg.

[Gail]

My legs are starting to feel very stiff and I now feel quite a lot of pain in them when I haven't walked very far at all. At the moment I take 3 half tablets of siminet a day and 9mgs of ropinerol. Has anyone found that a higher dose of sinimet is helpful for stiff painful legs? I would very much appreciate any input on this. Maryg.
Hi Maryg, My legs are just beginning to hurt as well. I don't have an answer for you, but will be anxioust to see what others have to say. Gail

[suzie Q]

My legs are starting to feel very stiff and I now feel quite a lot of pain in them when I haven't walked very far at all. At the moment I take 3 half tablets of siminet a day and 9mgs of ropinerol. Has anyone found that a higher dose of sinimet is helpful for stiff painful legs? I would very much appreciate any input on this. Maryg.

Hi Marg

I have trouble with my legs also ..my Legs get really weak at times i feel like they wont hold me up.sometimes i need my medication but other times it is at the beginning of a dose .sorry not much help to u maybe you should talk to your doctor about it .

sue

[mappergal]

It wouldn't hurt to try increasing your Sinemet. Try upping one dose to a full pill. I was taking 3 Sinemets a day. My hand gets stiff some afternoons, my doctor told me to increase my lunch pill to 1.5. If it doesn't work, stop taking the extra pill. I would, of mention it to your doctor. I don't know how long you have been on it, but normally after awhile we need to increase or change our drugs as this is a progressive diease.

[maryg]

Thankyou mappergal for your reply. Starting tomorrow I am going to take a full tablet at lunchtime. I have been taking siminet for about 12 months now but I have tried to keep the dose quite low because of the side effects I have read about in the leaflet enclosed with the medication. Where in the world is San Gabriel CA? I do know that it certainly not in the UK! Is'nt modern technology a marvelous thing that you can respond to my query from possibly the other side of the world. I am so grateful that you have taken the time to reply and I will certainly let you know if I have noticed any improvement. Maryg.

[mappergal]

I live in Southern California near Los Angeles. San Gabriel is home to one of the early missions that founded California (except the Indians were here first). It is also next door to Pasadena and I take weekly walks around the Rose Bowl with a friend of mine.
My neurologist had me read The Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book by J. Eric Ahlskog. The book was written before Azilect (which I also take) but talks about most of the other drugs that are commonly used today. It was written in 2005. Anyway, the book talks a great deal about adjusting Sinemet, either up or down depending on need. For example I go to physical therapy twice a week and that sometimes depletes my dopamine faster, if I feel bad I can take my pill sooner or add a half pill.

[Juanita Mullin]

I have also read the book by Dr. Ahlskog. I found it to be very helpful. It explains everything in detail for the patient to be able to understand.

[Angel Ali]

iam also on sinemet,im only 39,had pd 5 years.but im getting worried,for the past few months my legs have got more painful,i can relate to some of your posts.i walk with a stick,and have to go in a wheelchair,on longer distance.ive spoken to my neuro,and even if i have restless legs as well ,he tells me its the pd,everybody is different,and unfortually,its the legs and the back and arms that are causing my pains.can not do much for me apart give me stronger painkillers,co,codymol 8 a day,but they are only just taking the edge off things.is anyone else having the same sort of pains as me,aching,sore stiff joints,and very tied.there ive had my moan for today,sorry lol:)

[Garysimmons464@talktalk.n]

Hi Angel Ali
yes my wife has exactly the same problems as you are experiecing.She started with these symptons prior to being diagnosed with PD over 3 years ago.She also has the added pain of severe burning sensations mainly on her legs and arms.She had Ropinerole added to her drug regimin 4x 1mg during the day and 1x2mg prior to going to bed .It has helped quite a bit with the RLS but not with the other pains.
We have just started her on the John Coleman therapy hoping that this might give her some relief-It's early days so it is wait and see , at least she is getting comfort that there is still hope of an improvement.
One thing we have noticed very clearly is that if she gets stressed her problems get much worse .I find giving her a massage and helping her relax seems to work better tha constantly giving her painkillers.
Hope this helps you in some way, but do not hesitate to ask me about any other things we have tried.
Love Gary

[mona47]

Gary is the Coleman plan hard to do.lt sounds kind of difficult to me,l pray it works for your wife.from experience l know stress is my biggest enemy.good luck and my prayers are with you.

[ltd-addition]

Ladies and Gents, I just had an appointment to see my Parkers Nurse, anyway after asking if I could take part in any new trials I stipulated no drugs trials (been there, read the book Etc ) However i was told about the Hungarian system , Peta institute.
This is about disabled children getting intensive physio in order to help stimulate the brain into recognising the movement.
Well for those of us who have bad shakes or cramps etc they are being refered for intensive physio every day for a week, then a weeks rest then it continues. Although I don't shake much I do get muscle pain especially in my right shoulder and back. This is a sign of being under medicated usually however I know a lot is positional for me and since I don't want to increase my medication and due to the fact I'm right handed I tend to use it more, hence inflamation of the tendon's. However I'm being refered for intensive physio in order to learn techniques which will hopefully give my brain a new pathway to remember how to re use my left side.

I will let you know if I do get on the course and how it affects my movement , pain etc for the better or worse.

So if you are in pain get an appointment because you may need to be tweeked medication wise.

Love and prosperity of Health to you all

and welcome to those of whom I have not introduced myself too on this forum.
Welcome. Merry Christmas and may you get a little bit extra of what you fancy.!

[Garysimmons464@talktalk.n]

Hi Mona47
to date we have been concentrating on diet ,aquas hydration) and relaxation-no great difficulties so far .Next items are exercise and Bowen massage.The Coleman therary does include quite a number of lifestyle changes and I don't think you would describe it as difficult -you just need determination and discipline.
Love Gary

[Mary]

Hi Mona 47
Make a New Years resolution for yourself- don't be so hard on yourself - take things slowly and one day at a time.You can spend all day worrying about tomorrows problems and they might never happen- learn to relax it really does help.Hope you have a very happy Christmas and an easier 2009
Mary

[Mary]

Thanks Ltd for info.will be interested in follow up.I have tended to blame pain in neck and shoulder as unrelated to PD but you have made me think twice. Make sure your bottle of Red is not toooooooooooo heavy to carry .Have a wonderful Christmas
Mary:)

[ltd-addition]

If you are getting more pain and your walking is bad, its your bodies way of needing more medication I'm afraid, especially if your quality of life is affected.

I hope this helps

Dont forget to just ring your consultants secretary or ring your parkers nurse for advice or to ask question's

It is your body and you and your welfare do not have to revolve around appointment times- Ask because shy Children get nowt (nothing )

oops sorry my Geordie accent is slipping into words in this message.