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What is your biggest point of frustration in living with Parkinson’s disease? Mine is my inability to speak up. I have a lot of pain with this disease. I drool when I don’t want to. (I can’t actually think of a time when I want to drool.) I…

For 15 years, I have been a failure at managing my chronic pain. I was prescribed oxycodone with gabapentin, and after my Parkinson’s diagnosis, I was put on levodopa. This decreased my pain to the point where oxycodone was no longer needed. I also tried alcohol and marijuana in a…

Summer is here in the U.S., bringing with it humidity and heat. So, in the midst of the stickiness, sweatiness, and eventually, the ripened smelliness, we might ask ourselves, “Should I stop drinking water and dehydrate myself so that I stop sweating, thereby skipping the stinking?” Uh, not recommended.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in November 2015. Since then, I have explored both allopathic and naturopathic solutions. From a naturopathic perspective, I immersed myself in Parkinson’s disease summer school, which dedicates a week to strategies to improve Parkinson’s outcomes. I also consult with a naturopathic doctor every few…

There is a question circulating once again in the Parkinson’s forums and Facebook groups. “What do you wish you had known when you were first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?” This cycle of inquiry seems to repeat itself about once every six months.  It’s almost like, by asking that question,…

A sign hangs above my desk with only one word on it: “Simplify.” The sign isn’t fancy by any means. But it does make me stop to ponder what that small word means to me. And it must have made an impression for me to fork out $3 to buy…

A few weeks ago, I impulsively purchased a book of “Joy Notes” at a restaurant gift shop. The purpose of the book is to tear out the notes and share them with someone who needs them. Here is one I am sharing with all of you: “God turns…

The Parkinson’s News Today Forums are designed to create a safe environment for those impacted by the disease. Whether we are discussing our lifestyles or looking for ways to connect, technology offers new platforms to help us explore our uncertainty. Caregivers, physicians, and patients alike have the opportunity to…

I recently read that Parkinson’s disease affects an estimated 1 in 100 people over age 60. When I started my Parkinson’s journey, I was in high school. I didn’t know that what was happening to me was something known as Parkinson’s disease. I didn’t even know what Parkinson’s…

I hate facing the effort it takes to start daily exercise. I hate the way I feel the next day — like I have been pummeled with nunchuks. But ever since my Marine Corps training I have enjoyed the benefits of exercise. I know it is hard to get…