"Where Life Meets Parkinson's." A blog for Parkinson's education, research advances, treatment strategies, and personal reflection. The goal is to provide support and resources to anyone either with Parkinson's disease or with any neurodegenerative disorder.
"Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being" Plato "Exercise: you don't have time not to" George A. Sheehan Introduction: You know what I am getting ready to say? Exercise is medicine. The verdict is out; exercise is especially beneficial for those with Parkinson's. Some form of exercise is always suitable for …
"A correct diagnosis is three-fourths the remedy." Mahatma Gandhi "The art of clinical diagnosis lies in the ability to ask the right questions." Harriet B. Braiker What is Parkinsonism? How is this different from Parkinson's? Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disorder that destroys dopamine-producing dopaminergic neurons. As Parkinson's progresses, other brain areas are affected, leading to motor- …
"Come grow old with me. The best is yet to be." William Wordsworth "As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning." Criss Jami Introduction: Likely, everyone in the world has said the words "COVID-19 Pandemic" at some point since early 2020. From mid-February 2020 to December 2022, more than 324,000 publications …
Continue reading "10 Lessons Learned About COVID-19 and Parkinson’s"
"food is never just something to eat." Margaret Visser "your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride." Anthony Bourdain The New Year's Day Supper: Maybe your family has a New Year’s Day tradition? In the southern states of the U.S., we follow many traditions, but one of my favorites is the …
Continue reading "Journey with Parkinson’s: A Southern Good Luck Meal in the New Year"
"Let us resolve to do the best we can with what we've got." William Feather "Maybe this year, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives not looking for flaws, but looking for potential." Ellen Goodman Happy New Year! In the New Year, may you maintain excellent health, create quality time for loved …
Continue reading "Happy New Year (2023) from the Journey with Parkinson’s"
"Don't give up. Don't ever give up." Jim Valvano "Don't give up. Reach down inside of you and you'll find something left." Bear Bryant Introduction: There are a lot of terms one could use to describe a disease. My view of this disorder is that I am locked in combat against Parkinson's. This evilness is …
"The greatest achievement is to outperform yourself." Denis Waitley "Sometimes, carrying on, just carrying on, is the superhuman achievement." Albert Camus Introduction: Have you been taking carbidopa/levodopa to treat your Parkinson's? Are you experiencing any off-on periods? Do you have any dyskinesia? Do you think it's time to change your dosing pattern or the timing …
Continue reading "A Graph of Your Daily Level of Exogenous Levodopa"
"A little smile, a word of cheer, A bit of love from someone near, A little gift from one held dear, Best wishes for the coming year. These make a merry christmas!" John Greenleaf Whittier "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill The …
Continue reading "Journey with Parkinson’s: “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town”"
"Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it's less good than the one you had before." Elizabeth Edwards "Health is wholeness and balance, an inner resilience that allows you to meet the demands of living without being overwhelmed." Andrew Weil Introduction: The goal is to review the role(s) played by dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine (also …
Continue reading "The Complex Role of Neurotransmitters in Parkinson’s"
"Your brain is your greatest weapon. Connect it to your heart, and you can go anywhere." Angelique Kidjo "Don't believe everything you hear - even in your own mind." Daniel Amen Précis: A big fear for anyone with Parkinson's is the development of dementia. It is predicted that a large percentage of those with Parkinson's …
Journey with Parkinson's 