Pain
Pain is a frequent and often under-recognized symptom of Parkinson’s. Pain can be compounded by other factors including age, arthritis, spinal stenosis, and neuropathy. Lifestyle changes, especially exercising and making your home safer, are important steps for pain reduction and management. Other specialists can be helpful, such as a massage therapist, physical therapist, or acupuncturist. Treatments for motor symptoms in Parkinson’s (like dopamine medications and deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery) can also reduce pain. Check out our webinar on pain with Dr. Miyasaki’s here to get more information on how to address pain for people with Parkinson’s specifically.
Generic Name |
Trade Name |
Notes |
Link |
Patient Assistance |
Brochure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaminophen | Tylenol | Sustained use of high doses can cause liver problems. | |||
| NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, aspirin) | Advil or Motrin, Aleve, aspirin | Used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. Typically does not cause any neurological side effects. May cause stomach pain or ulcers, increased risk of bleeding, high blood pressure. Sustained use can cause kidney problems. Aspirin can cause tinnitus. (Available OTC). | |||
| Certain antidepressants (duloxetine, TCAs) | See chart for TCAs or other antidepressants | ||||
| Anti-seizure medication (gabapentin, pregabalin) | Neurontin, Lyrica | These medications are widely used for treating other painful conditions such as neuropathy and fibromyalgia. They may be of benefit for people with Parkinson’s. May cause sleepiness, unsteadiness, edema, and weight gain. | Neurontin Product Website | Pfizer Patient Assistance (for Neurontin) | More Information (Lyrica) |