Dr. C’s Journey with PD – a column by Dr. C

February 1, 2019April 4, 2019

Finding Words to Describe Parkinson’s Pain

Columns, Dr. C's Journey with PD - a column by Dr. C

Parkinson’s disease (PD) pain is unique, so finding words to describe it is difficult. Not all those with a diagnosis experience pain. But for some, like me, pain is the ... Read more

January 18, 2019January 21, 2019

‘Bananas and Beans, not Burgers’: High-Protein Meals and Levodopa

Columns, Dr. C's Journey with PD - a column by Dr. C

No one told me that breakfast bacon, ham, or sausage would make me feel awful! I had seen my off-periods worsen after a heavy meat meal, but I shrugged ... Read more

January 11, 2019April 4, 2019

Meditation and Parkinson’s Disease: Looking for Lightness of Being

Columns, Dr. C's Journey with PD - a column by Dr. C

Living with Parkinson’s disease is a struggle against the loss of both motor and cognitive functions. One must invest effort into an action plan that reduces the impact of ... Read more

January 4, 2019January 3, 2019

A New Year’s Resolution: Quiet the Old Tapes

Columns, Dr. C's Journey with PD - a column by Dr. C

In my column about time management, I mentioned a nagging inner voice saying, “You did not get enough done today.” That phrase ties to an old “tape,” inner dialogue left ... Read more

December 21, 2018January 3, 2019

The Pac-Man Cometh: Parkinson’s Disease Gobbles Up Time

Columns, Dr. C's Journey with PD - a column by Dr. C

I used to be able to put long hours into just about anything I tackled: research, teaching, helping others, painting, writing, and gardening. But PD gobbles up time, just ... Read more

December 14, 2018December 13, 2018

Taking a Careful Look at Apathy: It Could Be Motor Hesitation

Columns, Dr. C's Journey with PD - a column by Dr. C

Depression is often associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD), as is apathy. But there may be a subtle difference between the two. At the risk of oversimplifying, let’s define depression ... Read more

December 7, 2018December 6, 2018

Foot Problems as an Early Sign of PD: Oh, What a Drag It Is!

Columns, Dr. C's Journey with PD - a column by Dr. C

Search on the internet for early signs of Parkinson’s disease. Surprisingly, you will not find foot drag on most of the lists. Yet, Ali Samil, in the chapter “Cardinal ... Read more

November 30, 2018December 5, 2018

How to Use Computer Gaming as Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Columns, Dr. C's Journey with PD - a column by Dr. C

The brain is a plastic organ continually reshaping itself in response to the stimuli it receives and the way those stimuli are processed. The old adage “use it or ... Read more

November 16, 2018November 26, 2018

Moderating Impulsivity: Train the Brain to Stop the Train

Columns, Dr. C's Journey with PD - a column by Dr. C

Brain training happens all the time. The goal of Parkinson’s disease (PD) rehabilitation is to use training to limit the effects of the condition. When training the brain, it ... Read more

November 9, 2018November 16, 2018

Impulsivity and Parkinson’s: The Itch that Must Be Scratched

Columns, Dr. C's Journey with PD - a column by Dr. C

Impulsivity is a symptom commonly associated with both Parkinson’s disease (PD) and some of the medications used to treat it. Impulsivity involves acting on urges with little thought to ... Read more