30 minutes sleep in 48 hours since change in Parkinson's meds

Posted by dsw7 @dsw7, Aug 23, 2022

Since moving from pramipexole to sinemet my rls has gone into overdrive, is this normal ? and will the new stuff eventually kick in ?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 23, 2022

Hello @dsw7 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm really sorry to hear that the change in meds has resulted in insomnia. This really needs to be addressed with your neurologist who changed the meds. I take Sinemet and also Amantadine. The Amantadine helps with the extra movements. You might inquire about trying Amantadine.

How long ago were you diagnosed with Parkinson's?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 24, 2022

Hi @dsw7, I'd like to add my welcome. I've also added your question to the Parkinson's support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/parkinsons-disease/

Did you get some sleep last night?

Idied2x | @1died2x | Aug 28, 2022

I made a comment before now a ton of questions. I hate meds. I was started on gabapentin ramped up to 500 mg 3 times a day.. l am 77 and do volunteer work. I became very easily agitated and l couldn’t remember anything. I took myself off it. I have trouble trusting doctors and just kept up my walking and light weight lifting. If l have to do this alone l will but there must be more natural approaches that work . The front half of my feet are “numbish” and my hands “ go to sleep” but l can deal with that. Is anyone having luck with natural medicine?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 28, 2022

In reply to @1died2x "I made a comment before now a ton of questions. I hate meds. I was started..." + (show)

Hi John, I like your attitude you shared in your first post in another discussion on Parkinson's Disease. Michael J. Fox was one of my all time favorites also. I have numbness in my feet and legs from neuropathy and I'm guessing neuropathy is involved for you also. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has a list of complementary and integrative treatments including supplements on there website here - https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Complementary-and-Alternative-Treatments-Revised-2020-final.-1.pdf.

My hands and arm go numb frequently when I'm laying on my left side and it wakes me up so I have to roll over. I think this has something to do with the ulnar nerve and compression due to the way I lay on my side and arm sleeping. Another thing you might find helpful with you feet and possibly the hands is Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR). There is another discussion on MFR here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Good luck on your search and never give up!