Carbidopa / levodopa and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Mis...
• September 18, 2015

Carbidopa / levodopa for Parkinson's Disease "I am a 63-year-old female and have had Parkinson's for 3 years. Sinemet worked well for me, but I was beginning to have downtime between doses. My neurologist started me on Rytary, and I took it for 2 months. Rytary gave me more energy and less downtime between doses but had horrible side effects. I tried adjusting my dosages, but no improvement. I was unable to sleep, had nausea and vomiting, lost significant weight, had chills, and my hands were shaky but sweat ran from my face. My temperature after the last dose of the day was 96.9. Then, I started having chest pains. I take Azilect, so that may have caused the Rytary to have a stronger effect. I was in bed most of the day. Switched back to Sinemet with doses every 3 hours and feel great!"

• Alm...
• February 17, 2020

Carbidopa / levodopa for Parkinson's Disease "My 87-year-old dad has had Parkinson's disease since 2014. He’s been on 25/100 mg C/L, 2 pills 2 times a day. Then my dad’s left leg looked really weak like 3 weeks ago, and his neuro put him on Rytary 48.75 mg/195, 2 pills 3 times a day. The first dose he took at night (after his first 2 doses of C/L - morning and mid-afternoon), he was able to sleep all night and had more strength in his left leg. But 2 1/2 weeks later, he started hallucinating and seeing goats and people talking and hanging out the living room window. His stress level was up, and he had the worst shakes. He was restless and had little sleep. The neuro said to give him the dose with food, but my mom and my dad were exhausted from the hallucinations and little sleep. So we skipped his evening dose of Rytary, and he slept all night until late morning. We gave him C/L again and this time 2 pills 3 times a day. Still monitoring him to see how he does. I wonder if we can give him C/L and then one dose of Rytary in the evening??"

• Jo ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 22, 2019

For Parkinson's Disease "I have been taking Sinemet for nearly two years. I do not have a tremor. The drug helps relieve muscle stiffness and pain and helps my balance somewhat. However, it does nothing to help my slow movements and weakness, my speech, insomnia, etc."

• dia...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 18, 2025

For Parkinson's Disease "Have fatigue and insomnia. Have shaky hands. Been on it 3 years. Helped hands and gave a little bit of energy."