It is interesting that no two people have the same Parkinson's Disease! So asking the question about medication is something only you and your Neurologist can talk about and how much you need. When we lived in California the Neurologist was a much older doctor, thus old style of medicating. But moving to Wisconsin and going to the Struthers Parkinson's clinic in Golden Valley and having a very young Neurologist who know more about the modern drugs out there got my husband off the bad, and onto the good. It took a full year, but the change is unbelievable. Where he needed a walker, he no longer needs one. Totally amazing. So I would ask those questions with your doctor. Are you on the email for Michael J. Fox Foundation? If not, please consider it, so much new information is coming out. Also for free, signing up for Brain & Life magazine is great too. Have both our kids getting it, plus others. Good luck.

I had the same question several years ago when I was first diagnosed. I started on a low dose of carbidopa-levodopa cd, then as the off periods increased so would the quantity. I was getting frustrated and switched Neurologist. You should contact your Neurologist for some feedback. Low levels of dopamine are linked to PD, and although Parkinson's disease can't be cured, medications such as carbidopa-levodopa significantly improve symptoms. But ,its different on each person. Just how much depends on how much and when dopamine activates in our brain. I know with me each day is different. I get off times one day at one time and next day a different time. Its frustrating, but its the cards we have been dealt!. Hang in there.

After 3 Neurologist in 6 years, I finally found a great one who actually listens to me! I asked him that question, and he said each person is different on their need for carbidopa-levodopa. Many times its trial and error to see how your body handles it, absorption in the body, and your off times. Eventually the amount, type, and mg you consume has to change as the disease progresses. I'm on Rytary 45mg 4 tabs, 3 times a day. I've been on it for 6 months and had to change mg, and amount twice. That can also get expensive.😀

Talk to your Neurologist on the quantity of meds you should be taking.

Hello Sue493,
Ditto what SteveJD said. You absolutely need a good neurologist to prescribe and explain any medication you are taking for PD. You state you "Don't understand these pills". Same pills can have different results, depending on when you take them during the day, how they are absorbed in your system, quantity you ingest, if you consume food or not when you ingest the pills. For example, I was having sight problems in the morning. I told my neurologist, and he said to take 2 Rytary when I go to bed. It helped! Hopefully that will continue to help me for a while, but each day/week/month, can come with different result. Hang in there!