Medication is the main treatment for Parkinson’s for most people. If you have Parkinson’s, you will need to work with your doctor to find the right balance of medications to effectively manage the symptoms of your condition.
Your doctor will recommend a particular treatment depending on your specific symptoms. Each person is prescribed medication according to their individual needs – don’t be surprised if you find that other people with Parkinson’s that you know are on quite a different regimen to you.
If you are in the early stages of the condition, you may not need any medication at all, particularly if your symptoms are mild and can be managed through healthy living and interventions from healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
When medication is started, treatment is usually started with low doses of a drug. This dose is then gradually increased in a stepwise fashion until the required control over the symptoms is achieved. The doctor will probably monitor your response to medication as you receive them and the dose, timing and even the medication itself may need to be changed or adjusted as your symptoms change or if side effects occur. A combination of medications is often needed to provide the most effective symptom control.
The medications do not stop the progression of Parkinson’s and over time you may find that your medication regimen needs to be adjusted or new medication added to improve your symptom control.
Once Parkinson’s medication is prescribed, you will probably need to take this for the rest of your life.
When you first start the treatment they may suggest that that you experiment with the times of the day you take it in order to find the regimen that works best for you. You should however keep to the overall daily dose prescribed.
