Dyskinesia is involuntary movement that can develop as a complication of Parkinson’s treatment, most commonly with levodopa. For me, it has ranged from movements I barely noticed to movements that became impossible to hide.
You might recognize it as: rocking, swaying, jerking, twisting, or moving when you are trying to sit still.
What This Feels Like to Me
My dyskinesia has not always looked or felt the same. At different points in my Parkinson’s journey, the movements have changed in their intensity and in how much they affected what I was trying to do. There were also times when I was experiencing dyskinesia before I even knew the name for it.
What I Wish Other People Understood
What someone sees from the outside is only part of the experience. Involuntary movement can be noticeable, distracting, frustrating, or difficult to hide, but the way it affects me can vary from one time to another.
My Experiences With Dyskinesia
I Had Dyskinesia Before I Knew What Dyskinesia Was
My firsthand story of experiencing involuntary movement before I understood what was happening or had a name for it.
Related Treatments & Devices
Dyskinesia has intersected with different parts of my Parkinson’s treatment journey. As PD Through My Eyes grows, this section will connect to the firsthand Experiences I share about medications, DBS, and other treatments where they are relevant to my own dyskinesia.
Learn More About Dyskinesia
PD Through My Eyes is about my lived experience, not medical expertise. For medical information about dyskinesia, visit the Parkinson’s Foundation — Dyskinesia or discuss your symptoms with an appropriate healthcare professional.