What is GOOD ON time and why is it so important?
Both OFF time and dyskinesia can impact the amount of GOOD ON time you have each day. GOOD ON time refers to those periods of time when you experience optimal Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptom control and feel your best. When you are experiencing GOOD ON time, you’re not OFF or bothered by dyskinesia, and you can do the activities you enjoy.
To better understand how more continuous GOOD ON time can be achieved each day, let’s take a look at different PD journeys:
Starting treatment with levodopa
As PD progresses, the brain makes less dopamine. Levodopa is a mainstay medication that helps replace lost dopamine and works well—often for several years.
Adjusting your current treatment regimen
Over time, you may find that your levodopa may not manage your PD symptoms like it once did and OFF time and/or dyskinesia arise. When this happens, your doctor may adjust your levodopa dose or frequency or add on different medications.
Navigating GI issues
Gastrointestinal (GI) issues are common in PD, and your diet (protein-rich foods) can interfere with oral levodopa absorption. 70% of people with PD are affected by GI problems, including a condition known as gastroparesis, which is when the stomach empties more slowly than normal, making it harder for levodopa to be absorbed properly. These can slow levodopa entry into your bloodstream and brain, further causing more OFF time.
Exploring PD treatments that overcome the obstacles of oral levodopa can be important to managing OFF time and/or dyskinesia long term:
Exploring therapies that bypass the GI tract may become increasingly important to help manage OFF time and/or dyskinesia:
Continuous Treatments Delivered Subcutaneously (Just Under the Skin)
Device-aided therapies that deliver medication continuously throughout the day. They are non-surgical and deliver medication beneath the skin, similar to insulin devices used by individuals with diabetes.
As-Needed Treatments
Treatments used as needed in your day to reverse your OFF episodes using a pen or inhaler.
Advanced Surgical Treatments
Surgical procedures involving implants that stimulate the brain or a direct delivery of medication through the abdomen.
All of these therapies can play a role at some point in your PD journey depending on your needs and symptoms. By optimizing your medication regimen, these treatments can help reduce OFF time and dyskinesia so you have more GOOD ON time each day.