The Parkinson's Podcast

This content is made possible by the generous support of viewers and listeners like you. If you would like to make a donation, please visit our website. Wayne Gilbert--a retired teacher and professor of English and educational psychology--was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2005. Since his diagnosis, he has taken refuge in poetry, having written hundreds of "Parkie" poems, which he refers to as "met...

This content is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you. If you would like to make a donation, please visit: https://dpf.org/podcastdonation In this interview, Dr. Apurva Zawar, PT, DPT, discusses one of the most common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's, pain, the different types of pain, and where you can find tools and resources to manage it. Want to watch the video version o...

This content is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you. If you would like to make a donation, please visit: https://dpf.org/podcastdonation In this session from the Victory Summit Virtual Event: Sleep and Parkinson's, Dr. Aleksander Videnovic explains sleep attacks, RBD (REM Sleep Disorder), Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), Insomnia, Daytime Sleepiness, Drowsiness, Fatigue, as we...

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a highly effective and reasonably safe treatment for Parkinson's; however, it's also frequently misunderstood by people who have been recently diagnosed. The success stories about how people are sometimes living symptom and medication-free as a result of getting DBS understandably lead many who've been newly diagnosed to want to get the treatment as soon as possible...

In this episode, Dr. Bastiaan Bloem talks with Davis Phinney Foundation Executive Director, Polly Dawkins, about a recent article he co-authored, " The Elephant in the Room: Critical Reflections on Mortality Rates Among Individuals with Parkinson's Disease ." In the article, Dr. Bloem et al. write, "Although the survival of people with Parkinson's has improved over time, people with Parkinson's st...

A previous version of this podcast had sound issues. We apologize and hope you enjoy! During this episode of The Parkinson's Podcast, panelists from our Living with Parkinson's meetup discussed fear and Parkinson's. They talked about the difference between shame, guilt, and embarrassment, and they shared the various ways shame shows up for them. Again, this panel doesn't hold back, and we're so fo...

During this episode of The Parkinson's Podcast, panelists from our Living with Parkinson's meetup discussed fear and Parkinson's. We addressed kids, relationships, progression, falling, loss of identity, cognition, and more. In this episode, topics discussed include: How to address fear and shame in yourself and with others How to handle the fear of being marginalized What is the biggest fear you...

On September 17, 2021, we held The Victory Summit® Virtual Event: Mental Health and Wellness, shining the spotlight on how to manage the symptoms you  can't see in Parkinson's. During this event, Dr. Gregory Pontone spoke to us about managing depression and anxiety in Parkinson's.  Topics discussed include: What are the statistics on how many people are currently dealing with depression? Wellness...

Brian Grant had a long and successful 12-year career in basketball. In 2008, at age 36, Brian was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Davis Phinney was an Olympic Bronze medalist and Tour de France stage winner who claimed the most victories of any cyclist in American history. In 2000, at age 40, Davis was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Since being diagnosed, both of these athletes have made it their mission...

During this episode of the Parkinson's Podcast, Dr. Gregory Pontone and Dr. Indu Subramanian discuss how cultural context can impact what living well with Parkinson's looks like, including nutrition, exercise, community, and more.  Topics discussed include: What does "cultural context" mean? Holistic health in cultural context The importance of community in a cultural context How to help address t...

In this episode, Dr. Anna Lembke, an internationally recognized expert in addiction and dopamine, discusses addiction, dopamine's role in pain and pleasure, dopamine agonists, and more. **Please note, taking regular carbidopa/levodopa alone very rarely leads to someone experiencing impulse control disorders, so please do not delay taking these Parkinson's medications because of a fear of developin...

During this episode, we talked to five people, Michael S. Fitts, Allyson Kinney , Michael Fahning , Gerrie Blavat, and Brian Reedy , who are living alone with Parkinson's, some by choice and others not. They shared their stories and offered ideas and advice on how to live alone and well with Parkinson's. Topics discussed include: Why are you living alone with Parkinson's? How does a service dog he...

During this session, panelists from the Living with Parkinson's meetup answered questions from the chat on everything Parkinson's.  Topics discussed include: Why is it important to work with experts in Parkinson's? What is a biomarker? Why does it take so long to develop a drug for Parkinson's? What are the challenges with diagnosing Parkinson's? What are the potential impacts of surgery on Parkin...

In this episode, Dr. Arun Mathur, a urologist with specialized knowledge of Parkinson's, explains the symptoms, causes, and treatments of urinary dysfunction in people with Parkinson's. Topics we discuss include: What are the differences between urinary dysfunction in different neurological diseases? What is urinary dysfunction? Urinary dysfunction can be a precursor to a Parkinson's diagnosis How...

In this episode, panelists discussed what they wish they knew when they were diagnosed with Parkinson's and what advice they would give now to those who are newly diagnosed. Topics we discuss include: What do you wish you had known when you were first diagnosed with Parkinson's? Being kind, listening to elders, and seeking help Take things seriously, but not too seriously Don't ignore your symptom...

In this episode of The Parkinson's Podcast, Greg Pontone, MD, Indu Subramanian, MD, and Bradley McDaniels, PhD, discuss how symptoms of depression begin and how to combat them. In this episode, we talk about: How Dr. Subramanian, Dr. McDaniels, and Dr. Pontone are working on What clinicians can do to make your symptoms better How Dr. Subramanian combines Eastern and Western medicine The impact of...

During this episode, our Living with Parkinson's Meetup panelists discussed physical, social, and emotional vulnerability in Parkinson's. They offered their thoughts about how to adapt to changes that arise as Parkinson's progresses. As always, this panel doesn't hold back, and we're so fortunate to have them tell the hard truth and share their journeys with all of us. In today's episode, we talk...

In this episode, Dr. Soania Mathur interviews Dr. Michael Okun to discuss the latest therapies for Parkinson's, including RT-QUIC (Parkinson's biomarker), subcutaneous dopamine pumps, vibrating gloves, rescue medications, DBS, and more.  Dr. Mathur and Dr. Okun discuss: New discoveries in diagnosing Parkinson's What do certain biological markers mean for diagnosis? What's new on the horizon for Pa...

In this episode, the Living with Parkinson's Meetup panelists discuss LOVE, relationships, and care partners, whether they be spouses, kids, friends, neighbors, etc. As always, our panelists speak with honesty and emotion, making everyone affected by Parkinson's feel less alone. In this episode, we discuss: Care Partners Who Think Your Parkinson's is Going to Get Better Care Partners Who Don't Und...

In this episode, the Living with Parkinson's Meetup panelists discuss how their relationships have changed, grown, and faded since being diagnosed with Parkinson's. As always, our panelists speak with honesty and emotion and make everyone affected by Parkinson's feel less alone. In this episode, we discuss: Relationships and Parkinson's How relationships can strengthen after a Parkinson's diagnosi...

In this episode, occupational therapist Carol Chiang discusses the importance of adding an occupational therapist (OT) to your Parkinson's care team, common home adaptations that can be made to help you live well with Parkinson's, and more. What is Occupational Therapy? Why Can People with Parkinson's Benefit from OT? Carol's Business, "Evolving Homes" - How Does it Work? Practical Tips for Lighti...

In this week's episode of the Parkinson's Podcast, panelists from our Living with Parkinson's Meetup share how they find hope and inspiration despite the everyday and ever-changing challenges of Parkinson's disease. In this episode, panelists share: Quotes on Hope and Optimism from the Parkinson's Community How They Practice Being Hopeful, Optimistic, and Grateful How Sree Pushes Through Feelings...

In this episode, Dr. Annelien Oosterbaan talks about the impact of Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD) on women, how women have been left out of the research for so long that their care is impacted, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, medication, menopause, and much more. She also talks about what it's like to be a gynecologist, a mother of 4, and have YOPD. Dr. Oosterbaan answers quest...

In this episode, Dr. Rodolfo Savica discusses the biological and social differences of YOPD (young onset Parkinson's), treatments for YOPD, the challenges of diagnosing YOPD, and more. Topics discussed include: "Early" Versus "Young" Onset Parkinson's Typical Age for Young/Early Onset Parkinson's Treatment Differences for YOPD Diagnosing Young/Early Onset Parkinson's Young Onset Parkinson's and DB...

In this episode, Dr. Benzi Kluger, movement disorder specialist, and Kelly Weinschreider, a person living with Parkinson's, discuss the value of palliative care (aka supportive care or whole person care) from the very beginning of a Parkinson's journey. We discuss what palliative care is and isn't, the palliative care approach, how to advocate for care, where to look for care, and more. Are you lo...