Parkinson’s Disease Blogs

Even after years of practicing the Parkinson’s disease self-management program I initiated and developed, which I call “TBM,” I still experience suffering in the form of intense pain, brain fog, and emotionally turbulent days. Still, I must face the beast. It’s a chaotic experience, difficult to translate, and not described well in the Parkinson’s literature. In the book “The Wounded ... read more

I’m back! Not just figuratively, but also literally. I recently took some time off to get my health in check. I was in the process of changing medications, and my neurologist had warned me that I might have side effects or withdrawal symptoms. Boy, was he right. He had been slowly tapering me off the Parkinson’s therapy ropinirole, which can ... read more

If you’re a Parkinson’s veteran, what would you tell a rookie? If you’re a rookie, what Parkinson’s lessons would you like to learn? I was diagnosed in late 2014 with young-onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 45. At 53, I feel like both a rookie and a veteran. I’m still learning, but I’ve also gained some wisdom during my ... read more

It’s a crisp January morning when my best friend and I ask each other about our superpowers. He tells me he’s as fast as lightning, which is funny because he’s a semi-pro ultra runner. I think he must be in the top 10% of speedy athletes. I slide my fingers across my chin, pensive and uncertain about my own talents. ... read more

Here in Arizona, dry, flaky, and itchy skin is a common problem because we get 335 days of sunshine. But my sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease, experiences the same problems with her skin during the frigid winters in Ohio, where she lives. Parkinson’s disease is usually associated with motor control issues, but people with the disease can ... read more

By: Alfonso Fasano & Benjamin Stecher The following was written out of a shared belief that there are only two things that can change the world. A big army and a big idea. This is a distillation of our big idea. Dear Elon Musk,           We are writing out of concern. Concern for ourselves, our patients, and the tens ... read more

In Depth Discussion w/ Dr. Michael Okun, University of Florida, Chair of Neurology. A longtime friend and fellow author, Michael, Angela, and I discuss a wide range of topics from advocacy, complementary medicine/reiki, exercise, and so much more. ... read more

Sing Out, Louise! ********** ********** The Value of Singing to Combat Parkinson’s Disease ********** Rosalind Russell urges one of her daughters to “Sing out!” in the movie Gypsy.  (Click on the image and see for yourself.)  If she were alive today, she could say the same thing to all of us who have Parkinson’s.  On the one hand, you ... read more

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day ... read more

Image from ParkinsonsDisease.netOriginally published by ParkinsonsDisease.net 12/22/2021 This blog post was saved for a rainy day. Since it is raining here in Los Angeles today, it makes sense to post this now. If you have any other tips for living well with PD, please share them with me to save for yet another rainy day! I never would have dreamt ... read more

At the beginning of last week’s challenge of practicing self-care, I started with a nice relaxing massage.  I thought my goals were going to be easy, but then midweek, my face started drooping and I couldn’t close my right eye.  By ... read more

Saturday 15 January 2022I am re-watching the lectures from last term as I prepare for an exam next week which is worth 10% of my Masters degree in neuroscience. Here is a typical piece of narrative, from a lecture about how the brain learns: “The NDMA subclass of ionotropic glutamate receptors has long been known to serve as a coincidence ... read more

As this chronic illness progression continues to steal away functioning, I need more support. When I previously wrote about the excellent role Mrs. Dr. C plays within the support partnership, a reader asked, “How do I get me a Mrs. Dr. C relationship?” I didn’t reply at the time. After pondering it, I would say, “You have to build it.” ... read more

Spending time in the water can be refreshing, relaxing, and healing for both the body and the soul. For those with Parkinson’s disease (PD), performing exercises or movements in the water, a practice known as aquatic therapy, may be especially beneficial. Because water reduces the stress and pressure on the body, aquatic therapy is commonly recommended for exercise and rehabilitation. ... read more

True happiness comes from doing the hard work, savoring the present while preparing for the future, and knowing that we did our best. #MotivationMonday ... read more

 

“Good morning, Mrs. Dr. C,” says Neo, Dr. C’s imaginary talking neocortex and a frequent guest of this column. “Are you excited about the new year?” “I think so, but last year was a challenge for Dr. C. and me,” Mrs. Dr. C replies. “How so?” Neo asks. “Isn’t Dr. C trying to use his ‘TBM’ for self-management of his ... read more

Traveling with Parkinson’s is never a walk in the park.  When we travel, our daily routine is disrupted, which in turn, can cause an increase in our symptoms.  It can be difficult to practice our normal exercise routines, which can cause even more problems.   And then there are the meds that we take.  Changing time zones really ... read more

************ Gleanings from AARP’s Cover Story on Michael J. Fox AARP Magazine just published a cover story on Michael J. Fox, the famed actor perhaps best known for his “Back to the Future” flicks – and who is now probably the most famous Parkie in the world.  He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s some 30 years ago, when he was ... read more

After a Parkinson’s diagnosis, life can become a stream of “what ifs” and “I can’ts.” While it’s true that life changes with the disease, there are still many things we can do, including exercising, practicing mindfulness, and eating a healthy diet. Many ring in the new year by promising to exercise more and eat a healthy diet. It may sound ... read more

Most of us have heard about the power of gratitude. According to research, expressing a sense of gratitude can contribute to stronger relationships and heightened levels of happiness. And those who regularly express it are more likely to be optimistic about life than those who don’t. While many of us practice gratitude by giving thanks, it actually is an emotion, ... read more

A conversation with author Jon Braddock. After his diagnosis with #YOPD, wrote a collection of 10 interviews to gain some perspective and to better understand from those who were living with young onset Parkinson's. ... read more

Focusing on what is within our power and knowing what it is that we hope to achieve, in the year is a starting place. #MotivationMonday ... read more

Is Parkinson’s Disease Becoming Pandemic? That’s the question the medical journal The Lancet recently discusses in one of its online “seminars,” which are basically long-form research overviews of a specific medical topic.  The article examines both sides of the question and maintains a tentative stance whether to claim that PD is becoming pandemic.  From the introduction:  “Parkinson’s disease represents ... read more

I am feeling a little stagnant. Almost a little complacent. Feeling uninspired. I am proposing that we kick the New Year with a Parkie challenge! Try to control your enthusiasm people.  Now, I have come up with a 4-week schedule that starts the first week in January that will be full of ideas and suggestions that will help us kick depression, ... read more