What Is Dyskinesia in Parkinson’s? Symptoms, Causes & How to Manage It

If you or someone you love has Parkinson’s disease and has begun experiencing unusual, involuntary movements, you may wonder: “Is this Parkinson’s, or is something else happening?” Dyskinesia is a common concern for many people living with Parkinson’s, particularly those who have been taking levodopa for several years.
The good news? Dyskinesia does not mean you simply have to live with uncontrolled movements. Understanding why it happens is the first step toward finding a treatment approach that works for you.

What Is Dyskinesia in Parkinson’s?
Dyskinesia is involuntary, uncontrolled movement that can occur in people with Parkinson’s disease, often as a complication of long-term levodopa treatment.
Unlike Parkinson’s tremor, which typically involves rhythmic shaking, dyskinesia may look more like flowing, twisting, writhing, fidgeting, swaying, or jerking movements.
Dyskinesia can affect the:

• Arms and hands
• Legs and feet
• Head and neck
• Trunk
• Face

For some people, the movements are mild and barely noticeable. For others, dyskinesia can interfere with walking, balance, eating, writing, speaking, or other everyday activities.

Why Does Dyskinesia Happen?
Levodopa is one of the most effective medications for treating Parkinson’s movement symptoms. Over time, however, the brain's ability to store and regulate dopamine can change.
As Parkinson’s progresses and dopamine-producing cells are lost, the brain may respond differently to fluctuations in levodopa levels.
This can contribute to levodopa-induced dyskinesia, particularly when medication levels are rising or at their peak.
Not everyone who takes levodopa develops troublesome dyskinesia, and the timing and severity can vary considerably from person to person.
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What Does Parkinson’s Dyskinesia Feel Like?
Dyskinesia can feel very different from one person to another.
Some people describe movements as:

• Restlessness
• Wiggling or fidgeting
• Twisting
• Jerking
• Swaying
• Rocking
• Difficulty keeping a limb still

Sometimes a person may not realize how much they are moving until someone else points it out.
Dyskinesia can also fluctuate throughout the day depending on medication timing.
That's why keeping track of when the movements occur in relation to your medication can be extremely helpful.

Is Dyskinesia the Same as a Parkinson’s Tremor?
No.
A Parkinson’s tremor is typically a rhythmic shaking movement and often occurs when a limb is at rest.
Dyskinesia is generally less rhythmic and can involve larger, flowing, twisting, or unpredictable movements.
However, Parkinson’s symptoms can overlap, and it isn't always easy to determine what's causing a particular movement.
If you develop new or worsening involuntary movements, talk with your Parkinson’s healthcare team rather than trying to diagnose the movement yourself.
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How Can Dyskinesia Be Managed?
There isn't one treatment that works for everyone.
Your healthcare professional may consider several approaches.
Adjusting Levodopa
Your doctor may change the dose, timing, or frequency of levodopa to reduce periods when medication levels contribute to troublesome dyskinesia.
Never change your Parkinson’s medication schedule on your own.
Even small changes can affect both dyskinesia and Parkinson’s symptoms such as stiffness, slowness, and tremor.
Changing or Adding Medications
Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may consider other Parkinson’s medications or formulations.
Amantadine is one medication that may be prescribed specifically to help reduce dyskinesia in some people.
The appropriate medication depends on your symptoms, other medications, health conditions, and treatment goals.
Keeping a Symptom and Medication Diary
A medication diary can help identify patterns.
Record:

• Medication name and dose
• Time you take each medication
• When dyskinesia begins
• How long it lasts
• What the movements look or feel like
• Whether Parkinson’s symptoms improve or worsen at the same time
• Meals or activities that seem to affect symptoms

A short video recorded safely at home can sometimes also help your healthcare professional understand what happens between appointments.

Could Deep Brain Stimulation Help?
For some people with Parkinson’s who experience significant motor fluctuations or medication-related dyskinesia, deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be an option.
DBS uses surgically implanted electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation to specific areas of the brain involved in movement.
It isn't appropriate for everyone, and it does not cure Parkinson’s disease.
However, for carefully selected patients, DBS can reduce certain motor symptoms and may reduce medication requirements, which can in turn decrease troublesome dyskinesia.
A movement disorder specialist can help determine whether someone might be an appropriate candidate.
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When Should I Talk to My Doctor About Dyskinesia?
Contact your healthcare team if involuntary movements:

• Are becoming more frequent
• Are interfering with daily activities
• Make walking or balance more difficult
• Cause discomfort
• Are affecting eating or speaking
• Are making you afraid to leave home
• Seem connected to changes in your medication

Don't assume that worsening dyskinesia is simply something you have to accept.
There may be ways to adjust your treatment plan.

Questions People Ask About Dyskinesia
1.  Does everyone with Parkinson’s develop dyskinesia?
No. Dyskinesia does not occur in everyone with Parkinson’s, and its likelihood and severity vary among individuals.
2.  Does dyskinesia mean Parkinson’s is getting worse?
Not necessarily. Dyskinesia is often related to the interaction between Parkinson’s disease and levodopa treatment. Its presence does not automatically indicate that Parkinson’s is rapidly progressing.
3.  Can dyskinesia be stopped?
Dyskinesia can sometimes be reduced substantially, although the results vary. Medication adjustments and other treatments may help.
4.  Should I stop taking levodopa if I develop dyskinesia?
No. Do not stop or change Parkinson’s medication without medical guidance. Your healthcare professional can adjust treatment safely.
5.  Can exercise help dyskinesia?
Exercise is an important part of Parkinson’s management overall, but it isn't a substitute for medical treatment of troublesome dyskinesia. Ask your healthcare team about exercises appropriate for you.

Conclusion: Dyskinesia Can Be Managed
Seeing involuntary movements after living with Parkinson’s can be unsettling, especially when you aren't sure what is causing them.
But dyskinesia is a recognized complication of Parkinson’s treatment, and there are management strategies available.
Start by tracking when the movements occur and how they relate to your medications. Then share that information with your neurologist or movement disorder specialist.
Your treatment plan is not necessarily permanent. As Parkinson’s changes, your treatment can change with it.
The goal isn't simply to control one symptom. The goal is to help you move, function, participate, and live as well as possible.

Why Support Matters
A diagnosis of any form of Parkinson’s can feel overwhelming. But with the right support and resources, individuals can maintain independence, quality of life, and emotional well-being.
For resources, referrals, and support in navigating Parkinson’s and related conditions, contact the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida at www.paswfl.org or call 239-417-3465.
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For over 25 years, PASWFL has provided free, high-quality services and programs to individuals and families touched by Parkinson’s disease in Southwest Florida. Their goal is simple: help people live well with PD, regardless of where they are in their journey.
Each week, PASWFL offers more than 25 free programs and support groups, including:

• Wellness and fitness classes
• Speech Exercise classes
• Educational seminars
• Support for care partners
• Support groups

There are no fees to become a member, and PASWFL welcomes anyone touched by PD.

Take the First Step Toward Living Well
If you suspect early Parkinson’s or have been recently diagnosed, you don’t have to face it alone.
👉 Click here to sign up for the PASWFL newsletter
👉 Click here to become a member—it’s free and confidential
To learn more, visit www.paswfl.org and discover the power of support, education, and community.