Initial Effect of Sinemet

Currently taking Sinemet.
When I first started taking, I had severe brain fog. The doctor told me to stop taking it. I was taking half a tablet three times a day. He eventually titrated me up to a full tablet three times a day and so far I’ve not had any issues. I was diagnosed in June 2022.

Can you report any clear advantages to the drug? Any symptoms markedly improved?

Hello @enahs and welcome to the Parkinson's support group on Mayo Connect. As you undoubtedly know, medication affects each person differently, so my experience might not be the same as your experience. With that said, my symptoms of balance, gait disturbance improved greatly with Sinemet. As you are probably aware, Sinemet, has long been considered as the gold standard in PD treatment and is often the first medication that is tried.

My neurologist titrated the medication very slowly. I started with a 1/2 tab, once a day for one week and each week increased by a 1/2 tab. By the third week, when I was taking a 1/2 tab three times a day, I was noticing a considerable increase in control over my gait, foot dragging and fatigue. Over time, I increased to three full tablets a day.

As I said, not all people will respond the same, but for me Sinemet was a miracle drug, and I was grateful for the improvement in my symptoms. There are, however, many newer drugs available to treat PD and as you work with your doctor you can find the right med as well as the right dosage. I would say that the important factor would be to titrate as slowly as possible to minimize possible side effects. If you encounter too many side effects, it can discourage you from continuing treatment.

I've never experienced tremors so I can't speak to that symptom, so perhaps your doctor can add another med to help with that. Many people with PD take Amantadine for tremors. It could be that you will need a combination of more than one medication to treat the different symptoms you are having.

In addition to medication, another important factor in reducing symptoms and prolonging possible disability with PD is exercise. Exercise combined with medication and a healthy lifestyle are tremendously helpful. One, without the other, will not be as effective. There are physical therapists who are specially trained in PD who are great. If you have not yet been referred for physical therapy, I would encourage you to ask for a referral.

Movement disorder specialists are neurologists who have specific training in disorders like PD. Are you currently seeing a movement disorder specialist or a general neurologist?

Have now worked up (via the above suggested increments) to one tablet three times a day. Been on that regimen for a week now. Unfortunately, I don't see much improvement with any of my symptoms from the drug. Perhaps more time is necessary.

Sory in my ohine and hard to type!! He says uts more to to with quality of life. He says itcwill help me in long run!!🙄

My husband, who has had PD for about eight years, finds it helpful to use a stylus for typing on his phone or tablet.
Best wishes, Cindy

In view of the fact that I am not able to conclude that Sinemet provides and clear benefit (no left arm/hand tremor relief at all), I am planning to quit the drug. Ive been on a regular full dose no for about two weeks and plan to decrease by 1/3 tablet a day for a week, then another table for a week, etc. Any observations?

I didn’t really have any symptoms when I first started sinemet. The doctor told me that was more for quality of life issues whatever that means! I was having some slowness and movement. Maybe that was the symptom he was talking about I don’t know. But it has helped although now I’m starting to feel after it. I’m starting to feel like I did when I initially took the Sinemet feeling like I have some brain fog.

Hello @enahs,

It is important to contact your doctor before changing your medication. If the Sinemet is not proving to be effective, there are other medications that your doctor can try.

Will you call and see what the doctor recommends?

Sinemet was awful for me !!! I went to at least 3 different Neurologists and the 3rd one really was terrible ! this one wanted me to double the dose I was taking.So I did try to take it for 30 days ,I went back for my next visit and io told him that it felt like the Sinemet was making me drunk and so unsteady on my feet ! Well, when I fell and broke my nose ,I said that's it , I started weaning myself off very slowly .I have been off of the Sinemet now for about 9 or 10 months ! I have been searching for a neurologist an I have an appointment coming up pretty soon !
I really want to know if anyone else has had the same problems that I have had with it !