## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Understanding Parkinson's](/understanding-parkinsons) - [What is Parkinson's?](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Understanding Parkinson's](/understanding-parkinsons) - [What is Parkinson's?](/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons) # Myths About Parkinson's ## 💡 Quick Summary - Parkinson’s affects more than movement, including sleep, cognition, mood, [bladder](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/incontinence "Bladder Issues & Incontinence"), digestion, fatigue and pain. - Symptoms fluctuate throughout the day, so appearance may not reflect how someone with PD feels. - [Levodopa](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/prescription-medications/levodopa "Levodopa") remains effective for decades when taken on time, improving [movement symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms") and quality of life. - Sudden or severe symptoms like fever, chest pain or vision changes are not PD and require immediate medical attention. ![Man](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/mythsaboutpd.jpg?itok=I5WdeFat) There are many myths and misconceptions about Parkinson's disease (PD) and its treatment. Below we help distinguish between fact and fiction. Knowing more about Parkinson’s can help optimize your care and quality of life. ## Myth PD only affects movement. Most people — including some physicians — believe that PD only causes movement-related (motor) symptoms such as tremor, stiffness and slowness. - ### Reality Many symptoms of PD are unrelated to movement. Non-movement symptoms (the ones you cannot see) of PD are common and may affect everyday life more than movement difficulties. These may include impaired sense of smell, sleep disorders, cognitive symptoms, constipation, anxiety, depression, bladder symptoms, sweating, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, pain (particularly in a limb), tingling and others. **TIP:** Good news: many non-motor symptoms of PD are highly treatable. Write down all your symptoms and discuss them with your doctors to find treatments that work for you. ## Myth If someone with Parkinson's looks good, then they also feel good. People will often assume that if someone with PD looks good at one point in time, then they will always feel well. - ### Reality PD symptoms fluctuate, and not all of them are visible. Over time, people with PD notice an increasing tendency for their medications to wear off between doses. For this reason, the way that they appear at one moment may not reflect the way that they feel most of the time. Non-motor symptoms can also impact daily life. **TIP:** Keep a symptom diary. If your symptoms fluctuate during the day, then you should keep track of your pattern of "on" times (when your medications work effectively) and "off" times (when medications wear off). This enables your doctor to optimize your medications and help you feel more in control. ## Myth You can blame PD for everything. You and your doctors can blame PD every time you are not feeling well. - ### Reality Certain symptoms should never be attributed to PD. Fever, for example, is not a symptom of PD, and usually indicates an infection. Headache, vision loss, loss of sensation, loss of muscle strength and chest pain are not symptoms of PD. **TIP:** Your doctors should rule out other causes for your symptoms. Sudden-onset symptoms — such as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness — warrant immediate medical attention to rule out an emergency. ## Myth PD has spontaneous "exacerbations," it can “flare up" unexpectedly. - ### Reality Parkinson’s does not work this way. Although symptoms may fluctuate throughout the day, the progression of PD is very slow. If PD symptoms worsen over days or weeks, then it is critical to search for an underlying cause. Medication changes, infection, dehydration, sleep deprivation, recent surgery, stress, or other medical problems can worsen PD symptoms. Urinary tract infections (even without bladder symptoms) are a particularly common cause. **TIP:** Certain medications can worsen PD symptoms. These include antipsychotics, valproic acid (Depakote®), lithium, and nausea medications such as prochlorperazine (Compazine®), metoclopramide (Reglan®) and promethazine (Phenergan®). Speak with your neurologist before starting one of these medications, to see if there is a better alternative. ## Myth Levodopa stops working after five years. This is perhaps the single most pervasive myth about PD treatment. Many people are reluctant to start taking levodopa because of fear of "using it up." Some physicians also share this "levodopa phobia." - ### Reality Levodopa works for decades. Levodopa does not treat all the symptoms of PD, but it dramatically helps the most disabling motor symptoms. **TIP:** Levodopa has been shown to improve quality of life. ## Myth You should postpone taking the next dose of levodopa. Many people feel that they should wait until their medication has completely worn off before taking the next dose. - ### Reality Levodopa is most effective when taken on time, just before the previous dose wears off. If you wait too long, then the next dose may never "kick in," and the medications may not work effectively for the rest of the day. **TIP:** A medication timer can help. It is critical to take your doses exactly on time. ## Myth Different generic brands of carbidopa/levodopa are usually different colors. - ### Reality The color of carbidopa/levodopa tablets is relatively consistent between brands. If the color of your tablets changes for no apparent reason, then it is important to verify that you are still receiving the correct dosage. **TIP:** The most described dosage of carbidopa/levodopa — 25/100 mg immediate-release tablets — is always yellow in color, regardless of the brand. If you are supposed to take this dose, and your pills are not yellow, an error has occurred. ## Myth Your doctor can predict your future. Many people with PD ask their doctor to predict their prognosis. - ### Reality PD is highly variable from person to person. Even a PD expert has no way of knowing what the future holds for an individual with PD. **TIP:** You can help change your future. You can improve your disease at every stage by ensuring that you exercise and receive adequate sleep and proper nutrition. Exercise is particularly important for improving mobility, stamina, mood and quality of life. *Page reviewed by Dr. Jun Yu, Movement Disorders Fellow at the University of Florida, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence.* ## Related Materials Videos & Webinars ### [ Neuro Talk: How Does Basic Parkinson’s Research Get Us Closer to a Cure? ](/library/videos/basic-research) [Watch Now](/library/videos/basic-research) Videos & Webinars ### [ Neuro Talk: Myths and Realities of Parkinson’s ](/library/videos/myths) [Watch Now](/library/videos/myths) Books ### [ Frequently Asked Questions: A Guide to Parkinson’s Disease ](/library/books/faq) [Read Now](/library/books/faq) ## Related Blog Posts ![Group of senior friends laughing together outside](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/english-spa-community-grantees-blog-hero.jpg?h=ed9ce7df&itok=QozxMYAZ) Raise Awareness ### [ How 5 Community Leaders Are Reaching Hispanic and Latino Communities ](/blog/awareness/community-grants-hispanic-latino) READ NOW ![DNA double helix](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/lrrk2-blog-0826-hero.jpg?h=ed9ce7df&itok=ar_y6okl) Raise Awareness ### [ Parkinson’s Genes Explained: 5 Facts about LRRK2 ](/blog/awareness/5-facts-about-lrrk2) READ NOW ![Elderly couple enjoying coffee together at home](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/practical-pointers-blog-hero.jpg?h=ed9ce7df&itok=w7X3P7DS) Raise Awareness ### [ Six Tips for Managing Daily Life with Advancing Parkinson’s ](/blog/awareness/managing-daily-life) READ NOW ### Connect with Others Explore our PD Conversations discussion groups to find answers or talk to others going through similar experiences. 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