"Ask the Expert" Off-time Management in PD FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

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 presents two FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), the text of which is adapted from two live "Ask the Expert" chats moderated by Dr. Mark Stacy (September and October 2004). The first FAQ addresses issues related to off-time. What is off-time? What is wearing off? How is this treated? The second FAQ includes questions and answers about non-motor symptoms of PD including depression and pain.

Download FAQs in PDF format

WE MOVE also invites you to join the "Ask the Expert" Discussion Forum. 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).