Possibilities with Parkinson's - a Column by Dr. C

early stage, remission, default mode network, insular cortex, criteria, hallucinations, storm

Dr. C is the familiar pseudonym for readers who visit “Possibilities with Parkinson’s.” The love of writing has spanned his careers as a research theoretician, brain rehabilitation clinician, and college professor. Dr. C was first diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson’s disease in 2014. His interest in how Parkinson’s disease can manifest itself in other body and mind symptoms has become a focused area for his research and writing. His goal is to share current medical research on how Parkinson’s can be diagnosed in early stages, and to help other early-stage Parkinson’s patients manage their disease process in a holistic healing approach.

Tracking My Experiences With Delayed Mid-stage Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s is a progressive brain disease. While symptoms and disease progression are unique to each person, knowing the stages of Parkinson’s can help. Some people experience changes over 20 years or more, while others find that the disease progresses more quickly. During the first five years after…

Conscious Intent Can Mitigate the Effects of a Parkinson’s Crisis

Author and neurologist Oliver Sacks used the term “crisis” to describe the episodes when Parkinson’s symptoms flare up. I’ve called these events surges, off periods, and bad days. In his classic “Awakenings,” Sacks describes the symptoms of one Parkinson’s disease patient by saying, “No…

Achieving a Calm State of Mind With the Gentle Observer

Finding moments of calm during the chaotic brainstorm of Parkinson’s disease is crucial to my self-management. Before I was diagnosed, my best stretch of continuous calm was 14 days. Now, I get excited if I can maintain 14 minutes. I see getting to the calm state of…

Relief From My Parkinson’s Symptoms Is Elusive but Attainable

I can’t lie to myself. When I’m having a bad day and feeling miserable, it’s extremely hard to shift toward calmness, and nearly impossible to convince myself I feel OK. Positive thinking has no way to get a foothold on my physical, mental, or emotional weather-beaten doorsteps. When I am…

My Mornings Are Broken Due to Parkinson’s Disease

When Cat Stevens sang “Morning has broken,” the lyrics were referring to the rejuvenation of the sunrise. That doesn’t happen for me as someone with Parkinson’s disease. It starts with what I call the 4 a.m. four-alarm wake-up call. It’s head-to-toe body pain, sweating, and an erection…

My Self-management Toolkit Helps Me Steer Parkinson’s Disease

Neo, my friendly brain conversationalist who engages with Mrs. Dr. C, inquiries about the Parkinson’s disease (PD) self-management toolkit. “It seems overwhelming.” Mrs. Dr. C suggests, “Would a review of the ideas, one by one, help?” Neo nods and gets comfortable. “I’ve read all the columns, but I do…