Originally Posted by
donheff
I forgot to follow-up after I started meds in late February. My MDS started me on a low dose of carbidopa/levidopa (Sinemet). So far so good. The drugs eliminated my mild tremor and improved stiffness, which makes walking easier. Surprisingly, they also seem to have improved a perception issue which made crossing a long bridge by bike a bit uncomfortable. I regularly ride across a quarter mile long bridge and have found it hard to hold a line on the right side near the rail. That improved significantly after I started the meds. I have monitored my riding and, so far, haven't seen any limitations I can attribute to the PD. Hills have gotten to be a PITA over the last several years, but I suspect that is just age. I keep my eye on ebike developments in case my energy begins to flag more significantly.
I take sinemet, Amantadine and entacapone for my PD symptoms now. When I am cycling regularly the dyskinesia and dystonia are much lessened, I could easily miss a dosage. But, I try to keep a strict schedule to stay disciplined.
The new neurologist wanted me on Rytary, a controlled release formula of levadopa/carbodopa, to lessen the off periods that were increasing and causing severe leg spasms. The cost was astronomical, and insurance did not cover it at all. The entacapone is a COMT inhibitor that does much the same thing. It has worked, so far.
I have my second in—person appointment on Monday, new neuro seems to be a good physician, and human being as well. I had two that were truly questionable in that area. I seem to be in period of disease progression since having the coronary ablation surgery in Oct ‘19, kind of a mental downer.
Hopefully the upcoming retirement will allow more consistent cycling and longer outings.
Bill