Hi , I’m newly diagnosed & a little confused !! I am taking 2 co-darelopa tablets 3 times a day . I know it is important I take at the same time every day but should I take with food or 45 minutes before a meal which is not always easy to plan . I have been given different advice from neurologist & Parkinson’s nurse . Also I am awaiting an NHS MRI scan , why that & not DAT scan ? Thanks
Hi JaneJKT, thank you for your post. We’re sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis and want you to know we are here to support you as you navigate this journey.
We understand it can be a confusing time and we hope you find the community helpful. We have some helpful information on our site for people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s: Newly diagnosed with Parkinson's | Parkinson's UK
If you have any questions, please do call our free helpline on 0808 800 0303 where we can put you in touch with one of our Parkinson’s nurses who can offer you advice and support.
Please get in touch if we can help any further.
Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team 
Hello Jane … I am 71 & diagnosed with Atypical Parkinson’s in June 2023. The Mri Brain scan is to rule out more serious conditions and to see if you have had a mini stroke or two which could be an indicator of Vascular Parkinson’s. If you have a positive datscan they put you on medications like Co-careldopa to help with your symptoms & if you have a negative datscan they also put you on Co-careldopa. So not a lot of point in having a datscan.
I had a datscan. The first two neurologists thought it positive for Parkinson’s. My most recent Neurologist thought the datscan was “normal” so he sent it away for an expert second opinion which came back "marginal for Parkinson’s ".
I was also on 2 Co-careldopa pills 3 times a day. Because this greatly effects my sleep I now only take the 4 pills 2 at 7am & 2 at 1pm.
For me it makes little difference when I take my pills or whether I take them with food.
I am certain the pills help my condition.
Best of luck.
Any questions do ask.
Steve2
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