Off-time Management in PD

In recent months, discussions of end-of-dose "wearing off" and improved management of PD "off times" have increased. One of the first steps toward appropriate medical management is the ability of a person living with Parkinson's disease to describe their off-times to their treating physician. A meaningful discussion, in language that is understood by the physician, patient, family, and caregiver leads to a more tailored approach to treatment, which may provide better symptomatic improvement. For example, many patients as well as physicians tend to evaluate "wearing off" on the basis of motor symptoms alone, either unaware, or overlooking the non-motor symptoms of PD.

To assist in increasing PD health literacy and closing the communications gap between patients and physicians, WE MOVE invites you to join the "Ask the Expert" Discussion Forum. Go to www.wemove.org and click on the "Discussion" tab on the top row and then scroll down to the bottom of the list of forums and click on "Ask the Expert in PD." When you submit a question, it will be posted to the Off-time Management in PD Discussion Forum. In this way, patients and caregivers will have an opportunity to view your question and respond. (WE MOVE reserves the right to decline posting of offensive or inappropriate questions).

Suggested topics might include:

1. What exactly is "off-time"?
2. How does a patient identify "wearing off"?
3. How can a patient describe "off-time" to their doctors?
4. What management or therapeutic options are available for "off-time" management?