What is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's Disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system marked by muscle tremors, muscle rigidity, decreased mobility, stooped posture, slow voluntary movements, and a mask-like facial expression.

How do members experience Parkinson's disease?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with Parkinson's disease*

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Modafinil Amantadine Methylphenidate
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Deep breathing and relaxation Listen to Music Acupuncture
Common symptom
Insomnia
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Zolpidem Trazodone Clonazepam
Common symptom
Pain
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Gabapentin Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Ibuprofen
Common symptom
Stiffness/spasticity
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Carbidopa-Levodopa Rasagiline Ropinirole

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for Parkinson's disease*

Treatment
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment

(Sinemet)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
15,270
Tried for
Parkinson's disease (70)
Treatment

(Symmetrel)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
4,774
Tried for
Parkinson's disease (20)
Treatment

(Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation)
Type
Equipment
How many have tried
1,744
Tried for
Parkinson's disease (11)
Treatment

(Requip)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
5,076
Tried for
Parkinson's disease (8)
Treatment

(Stalevo)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
3,084
Tried for
Parkinson's disease (5)

*Data from patients with Parkinson's disease, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with Parkinson's disease*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Sinemet)
Perceived effectiveness
for Parkinson's disease (41 evaluations)
Side effects
nausea diarrhea 4 more
Total evaluations
41
Tried for
Parkinson's disease (70)
Treatment

(Symmetrel)
Perceived effectiveness
for Parkinson's disease (23 evaluations)
Side effects
constipation dizziness with hypotension upon standing 4 more
Total evaluations
24
Tried for
Parkinson's disease (20)
Treatment

(Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation)
Perceived effectiveness
for Parkinson's disease (7 evaluations)
Side effects
fatigue lightheadedness
Total evaluations
7
Tried for
Parkinson's disease (11)
Treatment

(Requip)
Perceived effectiveness
for Parkinson's disease (5 evaluations)
Side effects
increased need for sleep
Total evaluations
5
Tried for
Parkinson's disease (8)
Treatment

(Stalevo)
Perceived effectiveness
for Parkinson's disease (2 evaluations)
Side effects
brain fog fatigue 1 more
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
Parkinson's disease (5)

*Data from patients with Parkinson's disease, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has Parkinson's disease on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 9
20s 56
30s 210
40s 573
50s 2,370
60s 6,614
70+ 15,396

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 13,061
Female 12,466