I am a 68-year-old woman and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago. I take 5 Madopark 100 mg tablets a day, 1 Sifrol in the morning and 1 Mardopark Depot at night. I have no tremors. My biggest problem is that I feel unsteady in my legs and feet and find it a bit difficult to place my left foot correctly when I walk. Am I undermedicated? Otherwise, I feel fine with my condition.

It depends on how you find it difficult to put your foot down – if it’s slightly twisted, it could be dystonia, which often occurs somewhere between the ‘off’ state and the ‘on’ state, i.e. usually when you’re under-medicated. Similarly, if you’re dragging your foot or it doesn’t move as freely as your right one, it could be under-medication. If, on the other hand, there are twisting movements and you find it difficult to stand still, it could be a case of hypermobility, i.e. more likely overmedication. Ask a doctor or physiotherapist to take a look and you’ll get a definitive answer. /Dag Nyholm