My husband had immediate benefit from starting carbidopa-levodopa. His tremors stop when he takes his meds and his balance is better. He just feels better when he takes it. He has had intermittent stomach issues, but if they become more frequent he'll take his pills with crackers or a banana (no protein) and that seems to help. He has been taking it for 3 years and is up to 8 a day. He was at stage 3 when he started and is pretty much at the same level now.

Starting meds really depends on how much the symptoms interfere with daily life. In my husband's case, he was festinating and falling frequently. That has pretty much stopped. He'll fall about once every 6 months or so, usually because of something like tripping over the dog or the dog's bowl, getting pulled over by the dog, or tripping over junk in the garage. Not because his legs won't hold him or from low blood pressure.

Hi Shannan, The neuro NP I have seen for the last 3 yrs is only interested in maintaining and any perceived change in symptoms warrants an increase in C-L. I have few options for alternative neuro practices or access to studies so I leapt into the drive to split each symptom out from under the PD umbrella and find safe and effectives methods to manage the symptoms without increasing PD and thereby complicate my care plan but introducing side-effects of C-L into the picture. I have had great success thus far, for more than 2 yrs with reduction in symptoms and no apparent change in PD based upon MRI and in-office testing. My plan is to see a movement disorder specialist (MDS) who recently joined the neuro practice where I go for my prescription for C-L. I'm hoping to gain a partner and advocate to help me on this journey once I see the MDS for PD care in Nov. If my hope is not rewarded, I'll continue to monitor side effects and do anything non-medicinal to mitigate symptoms that arise or worsen. I am empowered by the wealth of info in the literature and amount of research being done on symptoms while we wait for that cure.

I of course have to mention that documenting the details of my meds, changes, symptoms, etc has been critical in tracking progress and failures I have experienced on this journey and it aids me in keeping my care team of my trials and outcomes.
Maria

Wow!!! That is terrific to hear. I hope to be able to help hubs keep himself strong and balanced using any “tools” we can to keep the dosing low and the symptoms at bay for as long as possible. It’s encouraging to hear how well you have managed it. Thanks for sharing.
💜

Hello everyone-
This information could not have been posted at a better time. My husband (age 50) is a year into his dx. He did not begin meds bc he was taking a trial med Buntanetap for 6 months. That trial is now complete. At his last neurologist apt it was suggested that he think about starting the [[treatment:levodopa/carbidopa:55d534f51fcaa397470006dd]] combo. Do I understand it correctly that the carbidopa is to offset the nausea that often happens when taking the levodopa?
Also would anyone be able to share what to expect when you begin this medication?
Is there any benefit to holding off ? Is there anything as the caretaker I should look out for?
At this point we are contemplating another trial for a medication that is intended to slow progression for early onset.
Any input, advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks to all of you who have generously contributed to helping me understand this disease.
❤️Shannan

Hi all. As to the side effects of PD medications. I've got them all. Pretty much. And I can only still walk. With much difficulty, that is.