Treatment · 2024
2024: Abu Dhabi and the Problem of OFF Periods
Dr. Shivam Om Mittal prescribed Oridopa 25/100, two tablets five times daily. It helped initially, but the OFF periods did not go away.
By an anonymous caregiver · 2 min read
Personal experience, not medical advice. I share our family's experience here. Talk to your doctor before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. New or worsening speech trouble, facial drooping or sudden weakness can be an emergency. Seek urgent medical help immediately. Full disclaimer
In 2024 we sought care in Abu Dhabi with Dr. Shivam Om Mittal. The prescription changed to Oridopa 25/100 (carbidopa 25 mg + levodopa 100 mg): two tablets, five times daily.
What ON and OFF meant for my father
This was the year the words "ON" and "OFF" became part of our daily language. ON describes the times when medicine is working and movement is easier. OFF describes the times when it is not — when stiffness, slowness or immobility return.
Oridopa helped initially. But OFF periods persisted. Some days the difference between an ON hour and an OFF hour was the difference between walking across a room and needing someone to hold him up.
Planning around dose times
With five doses a day, we planned meals, visits, prayers and rest around his medicine. We kept track of when the next dose was due and whether the last one had started helping.
What helped us as caregivers
- Keeping a simple written log of dose times and how he felt.
- Being honest with the doctor about failed doses rather than saying "he's fine".
- Accepting that some days are worse without assuming it is anyone's fault.
The OFF periods were still a problem when his symptoms became more severe the following spring.