Is anyone using Rytary?

Will post periodically - especially about how the carbidopa/levodopa is working out at 4 times per day ... every 3 1/2 hours. And I'll be continuing with a once-a-day dose of Azilect (rasageline) pill, 1mg, to further prevent the growth of the disease and mitigate negative responses - physical ones especially. And, possible use of the drug Oreanze for off-time,

@hjscheib Hello Howard

I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better on your new medication routine. I appreciate the update and I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Will you post periodically and let me know how you are doing?

Teresa--

Yes, had a teleconference with my doctor this past Friday and we both agreed that I would give up Rytary after about 9-10 weeks on the drug. It is too expensive and I had multiple side affects from it - increased anxiety; overall tiredness, especially in the thighs; extreme nervousness; little strength for Rock Steady Boxing, etc. I am now returning to carbidopa/levodopa (4X per day, 2 @25-100mg), 4X per day; and one Azilect at 1.0mg. I am feeling much better - calm and getting my strength back, no overall physical tiredness. If I need to have the off-time -= toward the end of each dosing period, he will prescribe a drug like Oreanz ((spelling?) and that should help me in the near and mi-range future. Howard

Hello @hjscheib

I noticed that you were thinking about switching meds to treat your PD. Have you made a decision on this yet?

I would enjoy hearing from you. Will you post an update when you are able?

Good information about Rytary, @hjscheib. I didn't know that it bypasses the stomach. Sinemet does make me feel nauseous often. However, I don't find that true with Stalevo, though.

If you decide to try Stalevo, I would be interested in hearing your thoughts. Will you post again?

See comment below about current dose/dosing of Rytary VS a switch to Stalevo. Thanks for sharing the correct Sinemet ER formulation.The really positive thing about Rytary is that it does not go thru your stomach or digestive track, so you never have the nausea that sometimes accompanies Sinemet.

Will share my decision about Rytery as soon as I have discussed all the issues - especially the adverse effects ... like irritability; anxiety; loss of physical strength in my legs (primarily the thighs) which doesn't help my ability to walk distances or take "excursions" in or around my neighborhood. Might be a question of dosing, although my wife just thinks - having watched it and me over the past 8+ weeks - I ought to discuss the use of another drug with fewer nagatives attached to the "on" or off periods. Will certainly bring up the use of Stalevo, (Sinemet ER carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone)

Hello @hjscheib,

I'm not sure that I'm familiar with Sinemet ER. I do take a med that has the brand name of Stalevo (generic name:
carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone). From my understanding, the ingredient, entacapone, is the part of the med that makes the Sinemet stay in the brain longer. Is this what you mean by Sinemet ER?

If so, I have taken one a day for a number of years and I've found it very helpful.

I would be interested in finding out more about your decision. Would you post an update?

Hello @hjscheib

It sounds like you have a lot of meds to sort out with your doctors. It is difficult at times to know what med might be causing different problems. You might consider keeping a journal of the time you take your meds and the time of any responses. This may help you sort out the fatigue.

You mentioned low blood pressure. Do you monitor your blood pressure daily?

I'll be talking to my psychiatrist in early October and I will get an opinion about Cymbalta - adverse effects? headache? etc.I have had no adverse effects with the use of venlafaxene