Pain and Parkinson’s
As Parkinson’s progresses, most people will experience pain at some point. However, pain affects each person differently:
- Pain may present as a feeling of tingling, numbness, stiffness, or aching.
- Pain can be a major issue for some people, but a relatively minor issue for others.
Causes of pain in Parkinson’s
- Poor posture
- Stiff muscles and dystonia
- Medications
- An unrelated condition such as arthritis that can be made to feel worse by Parkinson’s.
Managing pain in Parkinson’s
If you’re experiencing pain, tell your GP or specialist. It can also be helpful to keep a diary to write down questions about the pain such as:
- Is it a new pain?
- Where is the pain and what does it feel like?
- When does it occur and how long does it last?
- Do your Parkinson’s medications help with the pain?
- Is there anything that helps to ease the pain?
- Is there anything that worsens the pain?
These are all important details that your doctor will need to know to help you with your pain management.
Support for you
- Call the Fight Parkinson’s Information Line on 1800 931 031
- Email: info@fightparkinsons.org.au
- Speak to your doctor, nurse, or specialist