This is the first GUEST POST written by a FWP (Friend with Parkinson’s). “PD, Meds & Meals” was written by Steve Storozum in response to my request for guest posts for this site. THANK YOU, Steve. If other FWP would like to post, email me your piece! Lois

By Steve Storozum

This isn’t an observation so much as a request for help.  Is anyone else out there with PD as confused as I am when it comes to balancing medications with timing of meals?

I understand that you shouldn’t take carbidopa/levodopa within 30-60 minutes before having protein and conversely, you shouldn’t take this medication within 2 hours after eating protein.  However, how does this regimen play out in the real world, managing around mealtimes and when you’re hungry between meals?

In my case, take the 25-100 dose on the following schedule:

½ pill before breakfast at about 7am.

One pill at about 10:30 am.

One pill at 3 pm or so.

½ pill at 10:30 pm before going to bed.

This schedule would mean that I couldn’t have protein until about 8 am, 11:30 am, 4 pm, or 11:30 pm. It would also mean that I can’t take carbidopa/ levodopa until 10:30 am, 3 pm, or 10:30 pm. (…or does it? I’m confused and it makes my head hurt.)

And then, what happens if a meal gets delayed, you want a snack, or you skip a dose for some reason?

It would be really great if someone could come up with a way to figure out when to take pills relative to when to have protein, in real time, throughout the day.  This would be ideal as a cellphone app.  Every one of us with PD wants to maximize the effectiveness of our limited choice of medications, but I think we all need some help doing it.

Please comment with your suggestions!