Has anyone ever watched the movie "Awakenings". Really Awesome that people in a comatose state where awaken after 30 yr only to develop dyskinesia from high dose levodopa. I had tears in my eyes when they were awakened. The movie never mentioned that after only one summer that their dyskinesia was cause by the levodopa.
Based on A True Story (I wonder if in 1990 they knew of the side effects. during the actual time of the story the side effects was probably not known.)
Yes, amazing movie, incredible story. Made me bawl my eyes out.
Great movie about Dr. Oliver Sachs who was played by Robin Williams. I confess that I can't watch it now due to the fact it may get in my head. Moreover the lead actor, Robin Williams was diagnosed with PD, couldn't handle it, and committed suicide. The events are true (to a large degree). I have not watched it in a long time nut my recollection is the disease was a brain swelling from a virus or bacterial infection.
I have PD and DBS with electrodes in my STN. Fortunately I have as symptoms mostly gait and dystonia as well as bradykinesia and neuropathy. But no or very very little tremor.
I do think about the movie but avoid it.
Correct: "disease was a brain swelling from a virus or bacterial infection" and believed to be a result of Spanish Flue.
Thanks. Glad I can recall that point. I really liked the movie.
Based on my PD and life experiences, I am inclined to think episodes of brain swelling from high fever infections may be an insult (among many) that contribute to the onset of PD.
Yes, mine is probably due to a concussion I had 40yrs ago.
Xlnt movie- I think it was swelling from encephalitis. I also believe Robin Williams, great talent whether you loved him or not, had Lewy Body dementia which probably Is pretty tough to handle.
Yes, Robin Williams had Lewy body disease (LBD).
What you are describing is post encephaltis Parkinsonism in clear ordinary language perfectly 👍
I did? Does that mean that could be part of my idiopathic causes?
"I did?" as in you have watched the movie.
Idiopathic causes of PD.
Dyskinesias were a known side effect of levodopa in the 1980s (I was in medical school . It was already textbook material i.e not new)
I remember not really being sure how to identify a dyskinesia until I saw tardive dyskinesia in the psychiatry wards.
Another good film in a similar vein is "Lorenzo's Oil" (based on a true story)
Once you have seen the movie, you should also read the book by O. Sacks, as it brings the stories told (especially R. de Niro's part) back into perspective (i.e. without the Hollywood spin). I found both very good, but also pretty confrontational.
CDP choline and dyskinesia 
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of Zishenpingchan granules
Mild dyskinesia, severe dyskinesia and Freezing of Gait (FOG) 
L-Dopa side effects - psychosis
