Tremors and dyskinesia are symptoms of Parkinson’s disease that involve the involuntary movements of the body that at times appear similar, but they are treated differently. About 70% of people with Parkinson’s will feel tremors at some time during the disease, while 40-50% will suffer from dyskinesia after about five years of starting treatment. In short, dyskinesia and tremors are a part of the same disease: the latter has a rhythmic back and forth movement with most tremors occurring in the hand. They are more prominent when Parkinson’s medications are wearing off.

On the other hand, dyskinesia is most often a side effect of a medication called levodopa that is used to treat Parkinson’s. It usually starts on the same side of the body that’s affected by Parkinson’s. At first, it might be mild, but it can get worse. Some of the symptoms are swaying, head bobbing, or fidgeting. For many, the movements can be uncomfortable and could interrupt the daily routine.

Both dyskinesia and tremors can be controlled through medication. Let’s find out the various treatment options for them.

1. Change Levodopa dose
Dyskinesia and tremors while suffering from Parkinson’s can occur when the amount of dopamine in the brain increases. Once the drug wears off, those levels drop, and these changes may be what causes dyskinesia. One way to prevent it from occurring is to lower the dose of levodopa, such that it is just enough to avoid this side effect but still control other symptoms. Ask your doctor to fine-tune the dosage from time to time.

Switching to an extended-release form of levodopa can also work well. This way, the medicine releases more slowly into the blood and keeps the dopamine level steady.

2. Take Amantadine
This drug helps treat symptoms of dyskinesia and tremors such as stiffness and shaking. It is available in two forms:

• Govori, which is given in an extended-release form, where one capsule should be taken at night
• Osmolex ER – this is another extended-release form that is taken once in the morning.

3. Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
If medications seem ineffective, you can also try deep brain stimulation (DBS). It is a great way to treat dyskinesia and tremors. It can also help with stiffness and walking issues, and can help in preventing dyskinesia. In this procedure, a small device akin to a pacemaker is inserted into your brain. This device sends electrical signals to those parts of your brain that control movement. It stops the abnormal nerve impulses that cause dyskinesia and tremors.

Another good option is to get a continuous infusion of medicine into the body through a battery-powered pump. The medicine includes:

• Levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG)
• Continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (CSAI)

Whatever course of medication or treatment you or your loved ones undertake, it is essential to keep the doctor in the loop. It is always recommended that these treatments should be administered only after the approval of the doctor, else it could lead to harmful effects. Both dyskinesia and tremors need precise medication and care to get the desired results.