I am 61, female, with tremors. How to manage Parkinson’s?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 61-year-old woman recently diagnosed with early parkinson’s disease after developing tremors and slowness of movement. My doctor has prescribed a low dose of Levodopa, but I have read about potential long-term side effects such as dyskinesias. Are there ways to delay these complications, and how effective are exercise and physical therapy in maintaining function?

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Planning makes a big difference in Parkinson’s care. Levodopa is the most effective medicine for parkinson’s symptoms. Over many years, some people may develop wearing-off or involuntary movements (dyskinesias). These changes are usually related to disease progression as much as the medicine itself. Starting at a low dose, adjusting slowly, and sometimes combining with other medicines such as Dopamine agonists or Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors can help reduce the risk or delay these complications.

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools in parkinson’s management. Regular aerobic activity, such as walking, cycling, and swimming, along with balance training, stretching, and resistance exercises, helps maintain mobility, posture, and strength. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy have been proven to support independence, reduce the risk of falls, and improve overall quality of life. Patients who remain active often progress more slowly in terms of disability.

I would suggest the following measures:

Continue medicines as prescribed; do not lower or stop Levodopa on your own.
Daily exercise, ideally under the guidance of a physiotherapist, is as important as medication.
Mind–body activities, such as yoga or tai chi, can improve balance and reduce stiffness.
Regular follow-ups with your neurologist will help adjust treatment early if side effects appear.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.