Dealing with Parkinson's Disease

The Covid plague had a lot of invisible effects on people. Two of the Parkinson’s symptoms that ht me very hard are fatigue and apathy.  If you haven't experienced this combo, it's not easy to imagine having good "on time" when meds are working pretty good and having to decide what you will do during this "on time" window that may close at any moment or stay open for a couple of hours.  I have a list in my head and on paper of things to do when meds are working. In no particular order: Take a shower, cut my nails, pay bills, vacuum, pick up medication, buy some groceries, reply to email, call a friend or relative, shave, do dishes. While I sit frozen in my body, I also think of huge projects, getting physical therapy, replacing appliances, home and auto repairs and moving to more affordable home. Oh I left out one ingredient. Anxiety. Add anxiety to apathy and fatigue. It's not good. And it is horrible for a spouse / partner / care giver who frequently g...

10 Lesser-Known Parkinson's Disease Symptoms August 28, 2015 from the MJFF Feed 10 Lesser-Known Parkinson's Disease Symptoms Before you or a loved one was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, you may have only been familiar with the tremor symptom. Unfortunately, the disease brings with it a range of symptoms, some visible and many not. Lack of awareness around certain symptoms can delay diagnosis. For people with Parkinson's, it can sometimes be difficult to tell when symptoms are a part of Parkinson's disease or from something else. And if you're not aware that something is a Parkinson's symptom, you may also not be aware that it can be treated. It can be overwhelming to hear about a symptom you weren't aware of yet, but as always, knowledge is power. If you're experiencing a new symptom and you're not sure if it's related to Parkinson's, ask your doctor. It may be another part of a complex disease that researchers are always learning mo...

New Study Finds That Gut Microbiome Changes May Be an Early Sign of Parkinson's Disease Long Before Traditional Symptoms Appear The researchers hope these initial findings can help lead to earlier diagnosis (and treatment) of the neurodegenerative disease. A new study published May 2, 2023 in the journal Nature Communications reveals another possible way we might be able to spot Parkinson's disease early—and even before noticeable symptoms arise. According to this research, there are noticeable changes in the gut microbiota during the earliest stages of Parkinson's disease, and this may help doctors diagnose and offer targeted treatment before the disease progresses further. Read article on  eatingwell

"Call on the Fighter" began as a simple idea...create and offer original music to encourage and inspire "fighters" along their Parkinson's journey. Colleen Bridges, owner, and director of Bridges for Parkinson's found the perfect fit in one of her own fighters, Rich Gootee. Rich, an award-winning singer/songwriter, knows all too well the constant and daily struggles as he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2018. Colleen's experience, research, and regular boxing classes have helped Rich and many others discover the fight within themselves to overcome the otherwise debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease. Together, Colleen, Rich, and their team have grown the music idea into an effort to help even more fighters find restoration and hope by raising funds so that nobody will ever have to be turned away from their local program.

April 11 is World Parkinson's Day and April is Parkinson's Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness and advance research toward better therapies and a cure for Parkinson's disease (PD). It's also a day to signal your commitment to a future without PD. Rally your friends and family to make a donation to support PD groups, affordable treatments and finding a cure! About Parkinson's Disease (PD) The symptoms of Parkinson’s are mainly from the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells which control movement. Low levels of dopamine affect how your body moves, making day-to-day activities such as eating, getting dressed or using everyday objects like a phone or computer difficult. The symptoms typically associated with Parkinson’s are tremor, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement, but nothing about PD is typical, everyone will have varied experiences. Parkinson’s can cause a wide range of non-movement related symptoms including chronic pain, sleep disturbance, ...

SCRIPPS News: Man with Parkinson's uses high tech devices to treat symptoms, continue liiving his life. 80% of Parkinson's patients suffer from a symptom called "freezing of gait." It’s when people suddenly lose the ability to take a step.  SOURCE

How to help loved ones with chronic illnesses enjoy the holidays [The Washington Post] For many people with chronic illnesses, the holidays can be a lonely and exhausting time. Health limitations may keep them from joining celebrations, and participating in the festivities can quickly tire them. The Washington Post asked people with chronic conditions for advice for family members, friends and colleagues to help make the holidays an enjoyable experience for everyone.   https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/12/23/chronic-illness-holiday-tips/