Five Tips to Support a Loved One with Parkinson's (Ask the MD Video)

A network of love and support can be an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to living well with Parkinson’s disease (PD), but it isn’t always easy for loved ones to find their place in that network. When does care become overbearing? How can you continue sharing interests...

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Rock Climbing for Parkinson's

There is currently no cure for Parkinson's Disease. But some with Parkinson's are finding that an unusual therapy – rock climbing – is helping them improve their balance, mobility and strength. 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl, whose husband had Parkinson's disease, knows...

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PD Quick Tip - Facial Masking

Facial masking is when you have a blank expression, you aren't able to convey emotions with facial expression. Masking is common with Parkinson's. Medication helped a ton but I still feel my expression shows anger or sadness when I'm calm and happy. Exercise is important, and...

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Parkinson’s “Off” Time: What It Looks Like, and How to Manage It - MJFF

What does it mean when we say that Parkinson’s can go from “off” to “on” and then back to “off” again? Listen to this Michael J. Fox Foundation podcast as experts discuss these “off” periods — those times when medication can wear off between doses, or are not working optimally,...

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GOCOVRI update 1

 It's been a few weekson GOCOVRI, I'd say early results are reduced off times and reduced dyskinesia.  I don't remember the medication I took prior, too many doctors each with their favorite combination of pills.  GOCOVRI isn't adding C/L but is time released...

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Any GOCOVRI success stories?

The last two visits to my movement disorder specialist (MDS) each had a new doctor. Each doctor stopped previous med and started another.  Meds not optimized. Major off times.  8/12/2024 — The latest doctor thinks a new medication GOCOVRI will help with the off...

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Wake Up Brain, Wake Up

Sometimes it feels like a part of my brain is asleep. It isn't talking or listening to me. The meds didn't kick in properly or sometimes at all.  I want to move an arm or leg or my hand to get leverage to pull myself up. Nothing, not even in my finger. I...

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Neurologist explains symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

The doctor being interviewed explains the hallmark signs of Parkinson's Disease. Also a commenter on the video was really informative - detailing what the "on/off" experience is like, and how unpredictable it is.  Dr. Tom Pitts, a board-certified neurologist, speaks with...

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Congress Passed the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act

Big news just in from Michael J. Fox foundationThe U.S. Senate today unanimously passed the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, the first-ever federal legislation dedicated to ending Parkinson’s disease, sending the bill to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The...

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PD Quick Tip - Falling?

Am I a klutz or is it a PD fall? I've fallen down a few times while out walking, five times to be exact. Three of the 5 times happened when I tripped over sidewalk hazards in New York City. Fortunately only one of these falls resulted in broken eyeglasses, multiple cuts...

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I Won't Back Down (song)

I woke up at 4am with this song in my head. Well, I won't back down, no I won't back downYou can stand me up at the gates of HellBut I won't back downGonna stand my ground, won't be turned aroundAnd I'll keep this world from draggin' me downGonna stand my ground and I won't...

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PD Open Message on Facebook

I've been going back and forth whether I wanted to 'go public' with the news of having Parkinson's.  This week, after a lot of thought, I did it. And received so much positive support from Facebook friends. No regrets.   Here is what I posted to my Facebook timeline.I'm...

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Potential Benefits of Samba Drumming for Parkinson's

Researchers at Cardiff University are hoping to launch a study to discover if there is clinical evidence that drumming classes are improving the lives of Parkinson’s disease patients.A special samba drum class has been a refuge for Parkinson’s disease patients in Wales where...

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PD Quick Tip - Heavy, sleepy eyelids

Suddenly my eyelids feel so heavy, and at the worst times. It's happened when I am just talking with someone-my eyes are closing, eyelids so heavy, I struggle to keep my eyes open. The person I was talking to thinks I'm bored and am really rude.  Was I hypnotized? It's...

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Blog Name and URL Changing to parkinsons48.blogspot.com

The name of this blog is changing from screwpd to parkinsons48.blogspot.com The former name has caused confusion about the blog's content and also caused it to be flagged as not safe for the workplace.  Hopefully the name change to parkinsons48 gets this blog indexed...

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April is Parkinson's Awareness Month

 April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month, chosen because it is the birth month of James Parkinson, who first identified the symptoms of Parkinson's disease more than 200 years ago.Parkinson's Disease, or PD, progresses and affects everyone differently, and symptoms...

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PD Apathy is very real

I brought up Parkinson's Apathy to a group last week and was surprised I received a lot more response than I expected. Just knowing 5 or 10 other people also struggle with PD apathy is reassuring and helps me to not feel so alone with my long list of symptoms. PD apathy is very...

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Parkinson's Unity Walk 2024

Parkinson's Unity Walk Saturday April 27th 2024 • 8:30am - 1pm, Central Park, New York, NY The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is thrilled to bring you the 2024 Parkinson’s Unity Walk on Saturday, April 27th, in New York City’s Central Park. Enjoy programming at the Bandshell,...

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Cognitive and Non-motor Symptoms

This presentation feels like it is talking for me.  Joanne Hamilton talks about some non-motor an cognitive issues that I have trouble expressing.Some of the first symptoms people with Parkinson’s may experience are not visible to others. As Parkinson’s progresses, cognitive...

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PD Quick Tip - Freezing

If you get "stuck" walking, brushing teeth, in the shower scrubbing shampoo, etc. Try looking at the task from another angle. Walking around in apartment. Sometimes I'm heading into a room and can't make the left turn to go in. Back up and try doing the task in reverse.  I...

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Blog Construction: Frequent Design Changes

A brief interruption. Most of you come to this blog to read the posts related to Parkinson's Disease.  I've been experimenting with various settings on this blog in an attempt to get it listed in popular search engines, trying to remove whatever is preventing the blog...

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Help me change a light bulb?

So I could blame a lot of things for the nearly impossible task of changing a light bulb, but I'm pretty sure it's 75% shitty product design and 25% user fault, meaning my diminishing fine motor skills related to Parkinson's.About 5 years ago a light bulb burnt out in the hallway....

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Keep Me In Your Heart (song)

The music is not specific to PD. I'm a music fan and some mornings I share a few songs.This morning I'm just feeling invisible, misunderstood and missing. Friends have moved on with their lives,With a look of ease drawn on my face, it's easy to misread my feelings as lack of...

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New C/L Delivery System Sounds Promising

My gut has issues absorbing medications. Sometimes it doesn't seem to get absorbed, other times it can take hours then suddenly the medicine works. My doctor has been telling me about a new deivery system for carbidopa/levadopa that works like diabetes meds, with a tiny...

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