Thanks Steve
We haven’t been given access to a Parkinson’s nurse yet and the pharmacist says it’s up to us to check the medication amounts so I’m going to contact our GP surgery.
Thanks again
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Dosage
If you’ve been prescribed co-careldopa, you’ll usually start with a low dose. Your doctor or specialist nurse will increase your dose gradually until your symptoms are under control. It’s best to take the lowest dose that controls your symptoms. This helps reduce your chance of side effects.
You can always phone the helpline here at Parkinson’s UK & speak to one of their excellent Parkinson’s Nurse’s it is free. Usually you phone the helpline & they phone you back.
The number is 0808 800 0303
Best wishes
Steve2
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Hello. I’ve just been reading your posts. My heart goes out you you both. I do hope your neurologist didn’t actually say, “You’ll have to suck it and see”!
On freezing, which I’ve experienced recently, I understand it helps some people to gently rock from side to side, and/or begin saying a ‘1-2-1-2’ marching order to yourself, out loud or in your mind; this rhythmical approach can trigger a response in the part of the brain that controls movement. There is information on this on the Parkinson’s UK website. I’ve found it is important that no one panics.
Hi Mynanny, nausea is a side effect of most Parkinson’s medications. I get it every time my doses change. It usually settles over the first week or so(for me). 2 tablets three times a day isn’t a very big dose. Normally, as Steve says, it starts lower and builds up but your husband already has a lot of symptoms which I assume is why the Neurologist has started a little higher. They are all very experienced so I would follow the advice you’ve been given.
I hope things improve
Podd
Thank you this is helpful. I do try to read as much as I can from the Parkinson’s website but there’s a lot and I only have so much time but I’ve found it really useful. More useful though have been the very kind people on this forum who have a lot of experience and have helped a lot.
Hi Steve
Apparently the pharmacist read the prescription wrong and prescribed 2 tablets 3 times a day but on checking with the Neurologist it was only 1 tablet 3 times a day. Relieved we got it sorted and his nausea has gone. It early days so not much change yet but fingers crossed. We were originally told Neurologist would see him again early January but his appointment has come and he’s not seeing him until 1st April. So he’ll be on 1 tablet 3 times a day until then but hopefully it may help with the freezing a little. Thanks for your help it made us query the dosage.
Hi Everybody
My husbands been on co- careldopa 1 tablet 3 times a day since early November. He does have what I call light bulb moments where his walking is just slightly better but not much. We’ve tried a zimmer frame which helps with balance and worked better at 1st but I think his brain has got used to it now and he’s hardly able to walk at all. He has neuropathy and says his legs feel really heavy and some days he can’t even stand up his legs just won’t take his weight. We have managed to bring his appointment forward from 1st of April to 20th February but can anyone tell me are his symptoms common. I’m really worried his legs are becoming too weak because of lack of use. We’ve seen a GP and raised our concerns but he just wants us to wait until February. We can’t have access to a PD nurse as the PD doctor hasn’t confirmed it’s definitely Parkinson’s.
Hello Mynanny … My symptoms are very similar but my walking a little better. I can walk 50-100 yards if I really have to. I saw a neurologist for my neuropathy about 10 days ago. The neurologist sent me an email saying …
“The patient has been diagnosed with Parkinsonism and is under your care. As far as his neuropathy is concerned, this is mild clinically and there are few signs. His problems are mostly musculoskeletal - I have encouraged him to continue with physiotherapy as required. He should pay attention to his posture and try to keep himself active”.
I am seeing a neurological physiotherapist at the Conquest hospital who specialises in Parkinson’s next week. Why not get a referral from your GP to your local hospital.?
I hope the above helps.
Best wishes
Steve2
Hi Steve
Thank you for that information. My husband has had peripheral neuropathy for years and it has gradually got worse inspite of physio. We have a physio calling to our home on Friday so we will discuss the situation with her.
Thanks again it helps to hear other people’s experiences.
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I found this re gait freezing helpful