Aug 10, 2012
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Major
(for tremor(s))
-
Effectiveness
Moderate
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Side effects
Severe
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
A little hard to take
Dosage:
8 mg
Daily
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Aug 4, 2010
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Slight
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
Slight
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
A little hard to take
Dosage:
24 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
Well I'll be switched! I took this crap (carba/leva) a couple of years ago with NO positive result. Needless to say I was not very open to the idea that we try it again. "You have not had it the way I prescribe it" I just did not see how that crap could work! I decided when I started going to DR Dewey I said I would give his treatments an honest try.
I told the Doc that I would follow his advice and try it added to the Requip.
DadGUM! He is on to something! Im on 24mg Requip XL + 6 mg Carba/Leva. He built me up to these very slowly, NO Really SLOWLY! Months to get to full dose. I dont sleep good at night. Want to stay up all night and watch movies with sex scenes. Other than that and being EXHAUSTED all the time, I am doing very well! Reduced but not gone is the shaking. Sometimes I go 30 minutes without shaking!
I do NOT like being so heavily drugged!
I can type and ten-key by touch again with good accuracy! I thought those days were gone! Still difficult putting a small nut on a bolt, or holding a drill without shaking.
I have a dr appt Friday 8/6/2010 What will he say this time I REALLY want to reduce the dose of Requip and STOP the Carba/Leva
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Apr 28, 2010
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Mild
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
24 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
HAS NOT BEEN WORTH TAKING IN MY OPINION.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Apr 17, 2010
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
None
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
None
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
24 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
My doctor switched me from Requip XL to Mirapex ER April 9,2010. He gave me some samples until my prescription was filled.. Our Insurance company refused the the prescription, saying it was too large of a dose. My samples ran out and I had to go back on Requip XL. Now he wants me to try Levadopa for a month to see if it will help. I cannot wait to get off Requip. We are starting to consider DBS, truthfully I am very apprehensive.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Apr 9, 2010
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Slight
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
None
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Mild
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
24 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
April 9, 2010 Dr. Dewey switched me from 24mg Requip XL to 3mg Mirapex ER titrating up to 6 mg. I am to take for one month to see if it is any more effective in treating my tremors than the Requip. He says the next thing to consider is DBS.
He was able to show me that the Requip has helped with my minor symptoms, it just did not help the tremor.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Apr 3, 2010
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
None
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
None
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Mild
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
24 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
My personal experience is that Requip XL has been a waste of time and money. I guess we had to try it to know if it would help or not.
I shake worse today than when I started the Requip XL, go figure!
I am afraid of the withdrawals when coming off the med.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Jan 27, 2010
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Mild
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
24 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
Last week when I went to 22mg there was no noticeable change. Did not get sick. Dry eyes are better since switching to taking in the evening. I still sleep better with Benadryl.
This past Saturday (1/23/2010) I increased to my maximum dose of 24mg. Slight upset stomach the next afternoon. I don't think I would have noticed it if I had been busy doing something.
I was encouraged by talking to another PWP who told me that he did not experience any benefit for the first 5 months. He is now happy with the results.
Since I am at full dose I will report less often unless I experience a change.
Good Luck to all, keep your head up!
February 27, 2010 - Still on full dose of 24mg daily. No noticeable improvement, side affects have faded except POOR SLEEP and desire to eat all evening.
Feb 12, 2010 Index finger on LEFT hand was shaking a lot. Feb 16 left hand slight tremor.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Jan 16, 2010
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Mild
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
20 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
I am now taking my daily dose at 6:30pm. I then take Benadryl as I go to bed. Last night for the first time I got 5.5 hrs then 2.5 hrs sleep. What a good change.
Still no benefit in treatment of tremors.
Jan 21 update I have been on the evening schedule about a week now. I tried going without Benadryl 3 days, my sleep was very fitful. Last night I took 1x10mg Benadryl and slept 5.5 hours got up for restroom and went right back to sleep for 3 hours. Ii do think taking Requip XL in the evening has reduced the severity of the late afternoon sleepiness. However the Bennadryl helps more!
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Jan 15, 2010
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
20 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
This week has been interesting. 1/9/10 increased dose to 20mg, no nausea, headache or sickness. Getting more sleep since starting anti-hystamines last Wednesday actually got 7 hours good sleep Wed 1/13/10. The same day my neuro insists that Requip XL is not cause of interrupted sleep patterns. He told me to start taking Requip XL in the evenings... so I did. BACK to TERRIBLE sleep. I saw the clock every hour of the night. Hope tonight is better!
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Jan 9, 2010
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
None
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
18 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
ADVICE - Try taking 1 Benadryl tablet each evening to help with sleep interruption.
EXPERIENCE - Jan 2, I increased dose to 18 mg daily. I take my daily dose at 6:30 am. About 8:30 I started feeling a slight nausea which lasted about three hours. Jan 6, I added the evening dose of Benadryl (Diphenhydramine). It has made all the difference in the world. I have gone from seeing the clock every hour of the night to actually sleeping 3 and even 5 hours at a time which feels sooooooo good!
Today, Jan 9 I have increased to 20 mg, I don't expect much change. I'll let you know what happens.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Jan 1, 2010
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
Slight
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
16 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
This week on 16mg, slight upset stomach 3 days, some leg cramps, continuing with interrupted sleep each night, most nights I see the clock every hour, have started going to bed about 8:30 to try and get more sleep. Get VERY TIRED between 4 and 6pm, cannot drive more than 20 minutes without dosing off. MUST BE VERY CAREFUL! Headaches are mostly gone.
As for treating symptoms - well I can't see any great improvement! I still shake like crazy, still get multiple letters when typing, have to run ten key numbers 3 or 4 times too be sure of the total.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Dec 27, 2009
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(insomnia, anxious mood, nausea, cramps in legs, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
16 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
Well, I got through last week with virtually no sickness. I did start having leg cramps this past week. No nausea, only very mild headache a few days.
No noticeable improvement in tremor. I have noticed an improvement in use of calculator and typing (Controlled motor skills).
Daytime sleepiness has worsened, 3:30 to 6:30 pm is the worst. I can only drive about twenty minutes without getting to the point of dosing off. Wednesday, I had to drive an hour to make a delivery and dosed off 6 or 7 times. Was happy to get home and realized that I must now make another change in life.
Yesterday I increased to 16mg (2x 8mg XL). Mild upset stomach a couple of hours after taking, lasted less than an hour. This morning mild upset stomach about two hours after taking.
I'll let you know how this week goes.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Dec 20, 2009
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Mild
(for Overall)
(insomnia, nausea, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
14 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
I do not know what it is with this medication, one week it hits me hard another week it is easy to take. I had gotten used to it "I thought" until last week going from 10 to 12 mg daily. I felt sick all day the first day, mildly sick the second and had mild head ache for 4 days.
Then yesterday I increased to 14 mg, had mild sick feeling two hours after taking that lasted for about 3 hours then I was fine the rest of the day. Although I was very tired! I just took my 2nd dose at 14mg will see how it goes this week.
I must say that yesterday was the first time I think I have noticed a reduction in my hand tremor. I hope this drug is actually starting to work.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Dec 12, 2009
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
None
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(insomnia, nausea, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, headaches, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
10 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
Increased my dose from 10 to 12mg this am, Three hours later started feeling bad now 10 hours later still feel like crap! Nausea, headache general sick feeling.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Dec 11, 2009
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(insomnia, nausea, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), dizziness, back pain, tiredness, somnolence, daytime tiredness)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
10 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
Dec 7 increased to 10mg, Wednesday evening felt sick for about 2.5~3 hours. Other than that no difference to previous evaluations.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Dec 6, 2009
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for tremor(s))
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(insomnia, nausea, dizziness, back pain, tiredness, somnolence)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
8 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
Nov 29 increased from 3 tabs 2mg to 4 tabs 2mg each, Mon 30th about two hours slight nausea. Thursday & Friday slight headache and nausea. Saturday Dec 6th felt bad all day. Nausea and headache. Sunday 7th felt ok all day. Increasing dose to 10mg tomorrow 7th.
Experiencing Insomnia nights and daytime tiredness especially afternoon.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Nov 29, 2009
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
None
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Side effects
Mild
(for Overall)
(insomnia, nausea, dizziness, back pain, tiredness, somnolence)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
6 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
As with previous doses one day after increasing from 2 tabs 2XL to 3 tabs 2XL, I got Nausea, Headache and Tired.
MUST eat with medication. If I eat when I get Nausea during the day it helps.
Mild Headaches seem to come with this medication for me. I have not had as many headaches in 53 years as in the past 3 weeks.
Still no apparent benefits, increasing to 4 tabs today will update next week.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood
Nov 14, 2009
(Started Nov 07, 2009)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for Parkinson's disease)
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(nausea, dizziness, back pain, tiredness, somnolence)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Dosage:
2 mg
Daily
Advice & Tips:
Start up evaluation: First day - no effects. Second Day - very tired mild nausea. Third day - Nausea, Achy back and muscles, major dizziness (every time I got up got dizzy). Fourth day - mild nausea and head ache, Fifth day - mostly normal. Today 7th day, added second tablet waiting to see what tomorrow will bring.
Cost:
$25-49 monthly
Side effects:
cramps in legs, tiredness, somnolence, headaches, nausea, dizziness, daytime tiredness, back pain, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), insomnia, anxious mood