[PATHOS]

I currently take Madopar 100/25 x2, four times a day, however, it takes at least 1 hour and even up to 2 hours, for it to become effective. Sadly, it’s not very long lasting and has started wearing off maybe 3.5 hours after taking.

I have no problems walking until my medication is wearing off and then my left hand will show the first signs of shaking, followed by my left foot which then decides not to co-operate and then has a mind of its own, so I have to stop walking for a little while, however, once I have rested/sat down for only a few minutes, I’m good to go again for a while. The longer time passes, the shorter my time walking without my left foot issues. If my left foot decides it doesn’t want to continue, I try sit down/rest for a couple or so minutes, then I’m good to go once again, it’s kind of like I press a reset button.

I have changed my initial dose timing to around 10am, unless I’m going out early, I try to take my next dose at around 2pm, then my third dose between 6.30 to 7pm, with my final dose of the day before I go to bed, usually around midnight.

I generally have segments of time when my meds aren’t working, so I try to ensure they are when they have least impact on what I’m doing, so maybe when I’m watching a relaxing show on TV etc.

I don’t sleep too well, wake up in the night almost every night, but I usually drift back off to sleep, then I get up usually 7am. I generally wash the dishes on getting up, doing that appears to stop my tremor whilst I’m undertaking that task, I then go through my emails etc. on my computer which also seems to relax me, until I take my morning dose at around 10am, I’m usually in the house until well after taking my first dose and if I contemplate going out earlier, I would try to take my first dose earlier, as I know my tremor would be there until the madopar kicked in, maybe 1.5 hours after taking my 2 x 100/25 capsules. The issues with my left foot and walking seem to worsen if I walk at a faster pace, I can walk much further if I walk more slowly, still at a reasonable pace, but my partner likes to walk at a faster pace, which isn’t a problem for me, until the madopar is wearing off.

When I’m really stressed, my left hand will shake no matter how long since I took my meds, best example is when the sports team I support, are playing, but there are many other times when stress takes over.