Started Carbidopa/Levodopa Today

Not yet. Why physical therapy.

@hopeful33250

Does the meds do anything but help the tremors?

@kinglue …..I’m so sorry that this is happening to you, it’s not what any of us want to hear from a Doctor. I too have recently started the Levodopa/Carbidopa medication….about 7 months ago. My diagnosis came after having a DATScan. My symptoms are not many at this point, at 73 it’s hard for me to distinguish how I feel and whether it’s Parkinson’s or old age making me feel this way. I wanted to point you to a couple of beneficial resources to learn about this disease, and help you navigate your life going forward. One is the the American Parkinson’s Disease Association (https://www.apdaparkinson.org/handbook-download/); the other is the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s ! You will find many YouTube videos from them. They also host Webinars, and Podcasts that help you understand what’s coming, what’s out there to help, etc. I encourage you to check them out! Hang in there my friend!

@kinglue
For some people, C/L does help with tremors. If C/L does not, several other meds help PD patients with tremors.

Here is an article from the Cleveland Clinic website, listing the different types of meds that can be used to treat PD symptoms:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/parkinsons-disease-medications

@kinglue
Here is some information about physical therapy for PD from the Parkinson's Foundation website: https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/physical-therapy

Here is another article from the American Parkinson's Disease Association about the value of physical therapy/exercise: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons-disease/physical-therapy/

Here is a link to a video about LSVT exercise

@kayak461

You have suggested some great resources to @kinglue!

I have tried to take this combination of drugs on two occasions and have severe reactions. The reactions were--Extreme acid indigestion--Blurred vision--Blood in my stools--Hallucinations--Depression. However I have an acquaintance who takes the drug and does great. I have done research on the drug and it is very effective for most patients. I dont want to discourage you in any way, but if you have any probems, contact your Doctor immediately .

I have been on Rytary since 2021. About 6 months ago I have experienced hair loss. Dermatologist have not helped. I looked up Levodopa and did read that Levodopa side affect is rare, but does happen.

@sparkyr70 - I moved your post to this discussion so that you can speak with more members who have been on co-beneldopa (Levodopa):

- Started Carbidopa/Levodopa Today https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/started-levidopa-carvidopa-today/

Hoping that members such as @jakerobertson @hopeful33250 @kayak461 @kinglue will return to this discussion to share a bit about whether they or anyone they know may have experienced hair loss from taking co-beneldopa (Levodopa).

sparkyr70 - To what degree have you experienced hair loss since taking this medication? Is it significant and something you have to proactively hide, slight thinning in a spot, or something else?

@sparkyr70 ….I've been taking Levodopa/Carbidopa for 9 months now. I’m 73 and may have lost a little hair, but not a significant amount. Are you rapidly losing your hair? Hair loss is on the list of side effects for Levodopa/Carbidopa, but it doesn’t point to how much one can expect. I hope I get to keep my hair, but if it falls out…I feel that it’s better than than the alternative.