My Parkinson's life is so confusing - this is not easy.

Posted by johnnyvsn @johnnyvsn, Oct 27, 2024

I was officially diagnosed with Parkinson's May of 2019. I have been taking Rytary since diagnosis and can say it really does help me feel "normal", but just for windows of time. Sometimes the windows lasts a very short time, sometimes longer. I am not as sharp minded as I used to be. I just don't understand how my body can feel so bad a lot of the time, then feel normal at other times. Does anyone else struggle with accepting this as just the normal life of a Parkinson's sufferer?

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

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | 3 days ago

In reply to @lilomen1 "I’ve been taking Rytary for three months and it’s completely changed my mood and sleeping patterns,..." + (show)

Hi, @lilomen1 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry you've had to deal with Rytary affecting your mood and sleep patterns.

Did you get a chance to talk to your prescribing doctor about your side effects or perhaps changing to a different medication? If so, wondering what the doctor said. Did the doctor suggest a tapering plan for your Rytary?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | 2 days ago

In reply to @lilomen1 "I’ve been taking Rytary for three months and it’s completely changed my mood and sleeping patterns,..." + (show)

Hello @lilomen1 and welcome to the Parkinson's support group on Mayo Connect. Is Parkinson's a new diagnosis for you? Did you try other meds before taking Rytary? There are many medications that can be used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's. Not all have the same side effects that you mentioned. Here is a list from the drugs.com website that lists some of these medications,
https://www.drugs.com/condition/parkinson-s-disease.html
If Rytary is causing side effects, I would encourage you to talk with your doctor about an alternative medication. As it is best not to quit any medication without consulting with your physician, I would encourage you to discuss these side effects with your neurologist as soon as possible.

Please share, as you are comfortable doing so, about the most troubling symptoms you are experiencing with your Parkinson's diagnosis. I look forward to hearing from you again.