The Parkinson's Experience podcast

I often get questions from people in the Parkinson's community about various symptoms they are experiencing. Is it the Parkinson's or something else they ask. I usually refer them to their neurologist. Recently, I had a few people ask about changes in their vision which led to challenges in their daily living. I had never thought about vision changes being a thing. So, I sought an expert to explai...

What is Young Onset Parkinson's Disease or YOPD? Are YOPD people experiences different than the majority who are diagnosis at a later stage in their lives? How do they manage all the other challenges and blessings that life offers while dealing with this progressive illness? How do you navigate life with the PD symptoms you are experiencing in an ever-changing environment?  We will answer these qu...

In this episode, we continue our discussion with Dr. Daniel Weintraub on the topic is mental health and the non-motor symptoms of mood disorders that some people with Parkinson's experience. This is part two of our discussion. I hope you were able to listen to part one. In part one's episode, we got a general overview on the topic of mood and thinking disorders in Parkinson's as well as more speci...

Our next topic is so important we are taking two episodes to tackle it. The topic is mental health and the non-motor symptoms of mood and thinking disorders that some people with Parkinson's experience. It is a very sensitive and tough subject for some people. However, I always subscribe to wanting to understand as much as I can about my condition in order to be best informed and prepared. We have...

Here at the Parkinson's Experience, we try to cover every topic that may help even one person out there in podcast land. So, that includes not just the clinical or physical issues that can arise and not just the social and mental challenges that can be difficult but also the financial and work-related strains that can exist for people with a progressive neurological disease. That leads me to intro...

Summer travel season is around the corner. Although we are still Covid aware, it looks like travel is back. Whether by train, plane or automobile, Americans will be moving again. So, it is a fantastic time to check in with a Movement Disorder Specialist neurologist on how best to travel when you have Parkinson's disease or are traveling with someone who does. We discuss general tips that can save...

OT is third in our 3-part series on the therapies most important to people with Parkinson's. We covered physical therapy and speech therapy. If you haven't listened to those two yet, please find episodes 49 and 51. They are very educational.  OT, of course, stands for Occupational Therapy. Wait, don't stop listening. OT does not mean occupational training.  It does mean therapy or treating patient...

Next up is part two in our three-part series on the therapies that are important to understand if diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This episode we focus on speech language pathology or therapy. I am guessing a lot of this information will be new to most of you. It was to me.  The speech language pathologist professionals help with communications disorders, cognitive-communication disorders, voi...

So, listeners, we made it to the 50 th episode of The Parkinson's Experience podcast. Wow. I am absolutely thrilled to have made it this far and am encouraged that we will still be talking about our Parkinson's experiences on this podcast for years to come. Of course, I couldn't have done this without your support and the support of my exclusive sponsor, Boston Scientific. I am continuedly humbled...

This is the first of our three-part series on the rehab therapies – physical, occupational and speech. All three of these therapies are extremely important throughout our journey with Parkinson's disease. Most people with Parkinson's will end up interacting with all three and the trained professionals in each discipline. Up first, physical therapy or PT. This might be the one you think of first wh...

Someone suggested the title of this episode be "potcast" which would have been cute. However, this is a serious topic so we resisted the urge to be cute on this one. This is not an endorsement of a therapy for Parkinson's (you should always speak with your doctor before taking any medication). Rather it is meant to be educational and informational – a good, quick reference to the use of cannabis i...

The topic for our end of 2021 podcast episode is how the Veterans Administration in the U.S., services the needs of our veterans with Parkinson's disease.  And it is good news for our heroes. Additionally, everyone can learn something from our speaker, Dr. Paul Larson a neurosurgeon. It isn't just for our vets and their care partners, friends, and family. Listen to learn more about the VA program...

Most of us people with Parkinson's know that exercise is essential to living well with PD. We may not realize how important it is to exercise our brain as well. Yet, it is just as vital to challenge our brain as we do our bodies.  Improvisation is a fun way to check this box. Improv might not be what you think it is. It isn't stand-up comedy, and it really isn't scary. It is an unplanned collabora...

This episode introduces us to Palliative Care and is one of the most important topics we have covered on the Parkinson's Experience podcast. Don't be deterred by the subject. I guarantee you will learn a lot from our guest, and it will make you rethink how you manage your health and pick your care team. This is not about hospice care. Palliative care is defined as an approach to care that addresse...

Why is boxing one of the exercises recommended for People with Parkinson's? The list of benefits from this fun fitness activity is long and includes a link to cognition, stretching, balance and strength.  It's the whole package. Learn more as you listen to the owner and head trainer of Pound Gym. https://poundgyms.com/   Also, 17 Branches is holding it's annual fundraiser, Box4Bucks, on October 23...

In the category of what treatment options are on the horizon for Parkinson's disease, gene therapy is one of the exciting ones. It can also be difficult to understand what it is and how it might help our brain function more normally. Never fear dear listener, we found a guy, well a brain surgeon super smart guy, to explain it to us so we can get it. So, stay tuned as we learn all about gene therap...

It's been over a year since we have had an episode of the Parkinson's Experience on medication. So, we are focusing this episode on motor symptoms medication and, specifically, medication to help during the "off times". We begin the episode by having our Movement Disorder Specialist neurologist define off times and dyskinesias. Then, we break down the medications used during off times and for dysk...

We often talk about exercise and activities as a great way to slow the progress of Parkinson's symptoms. Golf may not be one that comes to mind. Until now. In this episode I speak with a golf instructor who specializes in the biomechanics of the golf swing. His father had Parkinson's disease. This led him to a passion for helping PWP. It just so happens the correct way to stand and swing a club an...

I was introduced to my guest today by a past guest who takes her forced exercise cycling online classes for People with Parkinson's (PwP). Forced exercise isn't exercise at gun point which is kinda what it sounds like. It is exercise with goals of hitting certain higher watts or rpms (revolutions per minute) so you maximize your heart rate. In other words, it isn't sitting on a bike and reading a...

Welcome to the 3 rd episode in our 3-part series on inspirational people living their best lives with Parkinson's. We've highlighted a woman who climbed Mt Kilimanjaro and biked across Iowa 6 times and a woman who took up Ping Pong and won gold. She will be defending her title next month in Berlin. Good luck Margie Alley ! On this episode, we speak to an inspirational woman who took up painting af...

The working title of this episode was "Ping Pong Phun". Instead we named it the same title as the guest's documentary which is a much better title and reflects our guest, Margie Alley's, motto. This episode is second in our summer of inspiration series. We hope you listened to the last episode featuring an inspirational woman who climbed Mt Kilimanjaro after her diagnosis and has a great way of lo...

We are in the middle of summer and a great time to listen to podcasts on those road trips, beach vacations and long walks.  So, the Parkinson's Experience has lined up an exciting three-part series featuring inspiring people living their lives with Parkinson's disease. Nan Little is my first inspirational guest. She asked a great question at the end of the episode  - how are you going to live? Eve...

Whether you can sing or can't hit a note. It doesn't matter to this exclusive club. You can only join if you are a Person with Parkinson's or a family member or friend. It's called Tremble Clefs and it's more than just singing. Music therapy is at the heart of this wonderful program. Parkinson's disease tends to decrease voice volume. A monotone voice quality is another common symptom. In this epi...

In this episode, we discuss not letting Parkinson's win . There is a new, make a wish type program for Parkinson's patients founded by a passionate advocate for the community and owner of a PD gym. What do you want to do again that PD has taken from you? Exercise is the only thing proven to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. Regular listeners of "The Parkinson's Experience" will know we...

What if a simple skin biopsy test could provide a deeper story about your health? The answers that the neurons in the skin can provide is amazing and has helped neurologists feel more confident in diagnosing a neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson's. It certainly is less invasive than other tests used to confirm a diagnosis.  Why is this important? The earlier the diagnosis, the faster you and...