If you think you may be experiencing motor fluctuations, you should speak to your doctor, Parkinson’s specialist or Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist (PDNS), depending on the country in which you live. Your symptoms are unlikely to improve on their own and may worsen if untreated, so seeking advice is important.
You may be referred to a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist. Which therapist you are referred to will depend on the country you live in, the resources available and your individual needs, so it is hard to generalise but the following broadly outline the help you may receive. Therapists work closely with a neurologist as successful treatment relies heavily on optimum doses of medication.
A physiotherapist can help in teaching techniques to deal with the motor symptoms of wearing off and to improve movement, including balance, gait, posture and transfers. For further information see Physiotherapy.
An occupational therapist will be able to help you retain as much independence as possible in spite of wearing off symptoms. They can assess your home and daily routine and should be able to advise ways of adapting your home to make movement as easy and safe as possible. For further information see Occupational Therapy.
