Started Carbidopa/Levodopa Today

I have been taking carob/levo for over a year and take it three times a day. As the meds start to “sunset” and the new ones start to take effect, in addition for my tremor starting up , I have a dull sensation in my right ear, a headache and start to yawn ..sometimes for as long as 20 min. Then I often cough for a few minutes. This is very unpleasant as well as exhausting. What is causing this? Is it normal? I always drink plenty of water and try to just keep moving or doing something.

Hello @bromy and welcome to the PD support group on Mayo Connect. From what you indicated it sounds like this is a new symptom for you. Is this correct? Perhaps one of our other members will share with you, however, this is nothing that I have experienced. As Mayo Connect is a patient to patient support group we cannot diagnose problems, just share our experiences.

As this problem is recent, it might be a good idea to contact your doctor's office through the patient portal or by phone and let them know about this. Have you seen your neurologist recently for an evaluation?

Actually this problem is at least 6 months old. Just wondered if anyone else experienced it. I told my neurologist but no suggestions..

I'm sorry to hear that you do not have any answers for this symptom. I know how frustrating that can be. You might want to post this experience in another PD discussion group where your post will have a greater audience. Here is the link to that group:
--Living with Parkinson's Disease, Meet Others...
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-parkinsons-disease-meet-others-come-say-hi/
If you would continue asking your question in this group, you will have a larger group of members to connect with. I wish you well.

Will you keep posting if you have other PD questions or concerns?

Over fifteen years PD Now on 1500mg carbo/levodopa with lots of off time and freezing. Anyone have c/l reduced to reduce of time?

My neurologist added half a 200-mg tablet of entacapone with each
dose of my carbidopa-levodopa. (I take two 25/100 tablets four times
a day.) This helped reduce my "off time".

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s and was prescribed Carbodopa/Levidopa. The day after taking it, I began experiencing a skin rash and hives. After several days, it had not subsided so I was referred to a pharmacist who specializes in drug reactions and interactions. After reviewing my symptoms and all my medications, he said he thought the rash and hives were unrelated to my medications (even though rash and hives are listed as possible side effects of Carbodopa/Levadopa) and that it was just urticaria so he prescribed an antihistamine (Xyzal).I have been taking it for 3 days and it has not helped at all. Hives are spreading and itch so badly I can hardly sleep and is quite irritating all day.Has anyone else experienced this and if so, how did you find relief? Thanks for your thoughts. Jim

@jaybee51 - I'm sorry to hear about the hives you've experienced and that the antihistamine prescribed for it has not helped at all after 3 days. Having it spread and itch so much you can hardly sleep sounds rough.

I'm tagging a few members who have talked about hives to see if they have any thoughts for you: @kimass1 @gardeningjunkie @amberpep and @taterjoy.

Have you mentioned to your prescribing doctor or the pharmacist you were referred to how bad your hives are and that the medication hasn't helped? If so, what did they say?

Thanks for your response. I did mention it to the pharmacist but he was anxious to continue reviewing my full list of meds and didn’t really give me a reply. He did tell me to add Benadryl at night and maybe that will help. I haven’t mentioned it to the prescriber yet. Itching was still bad yesterday but hives are receding. Itching better today but it is always worse at night. Hoping that feedback from others might help me understand the cause. Thanks for your help.

Your cause may be related to a medication or food. My sister-in-law had one trigger for her hives- strawberries. She would have a reaction within a day after eating them. You mentioned a medication, can you associate any food you ate before your reaction?