A medication diary

Keeping a medication diary (often PD patients find a computer or typewriter easiest to use) will help patients talk to the doctor. Make sure to note when medication is taken, ON and OFF times, and how long each ON and OFF period lasts. Record this information for a few days and then share it with the doctor.

Include:

• The times of day when you have good symptom control
  
• Which symptoms come back during the day and when
  
• The symptoms you experience at night (e.g. sleep disturbances)
  
• Any complications you experience, such as dyskinesia, and how long after you take your medication they occur
  
• Mealtimes, to see if the times of day you eat affect your symptom control

A diary will give the doctor a picture of life outside the office. It will also let her track progress, changes in medications, and will provide a long-term record to look back on.