Parkinson's Disease

  • Most Topular Stories

  • Vitamin K2 Potentially Offers Hope For A New Treatment For Parkinson's Disease

    Parkinson's Disease News From Medical News Today
    14 May 2012 | 3:00 am
    Neuroscientist Patrik Verstreken, associated with VIB and KU Leuven, succeeded in undoing the effect of one of the genetic defects that leads to Parkinson's using vitamin K2. His discovery gives hope to Parkinson's patients...

  • The First Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

    Parkinson's Journey
    Sherri Woodbridge
    19 Apr 2012 | 11:29 pm
    ©2012 Sherri Woodbridge In response to a question posed to those with Parkinson’s disease, “What were your first symptoms of PD?”, the following is a list of answers – an important reminder that PD affects no two people the same way.  (FYI – Since this post was originally published, it has been updated and includes newer responses that may not have been previously mentioned.) …First thing I noticed was that I was having a hard time with my balance. …I was working as an order and receiving clerk, so I was on my feet quite a lot. I had this counter that I used…

  • Vitamin K2: New hope for Parkinson's patients?

    ScienceDaily: Parkinson's Research News
    11 May 2012 | 9:12 am
    Neuroscientists have succeeded in undoing the effect of one of the genetic defects that leads to Parkinson's using vitamin K2. The discovery gives hope to Parkinson's patients.

  • Neurodegeneration 'switched off' in mice

    ScienceDaily: Parkinson's Research News
    10 May 2012 | 1:14 pm
    Researchers have identified a major pathway leading to brain cell death in mice with neurodegenerative disease. They were able to block the pathway, preventing brain cell death and increasing survival in the mice.

  • Gene Variants Identified That Speed Progression Of Parkinson's Disease

    Parkinson's Disease News From Medical News Today
    16 May 2012 | 3:00 am
    UCLA researchers may have found a key to determining which Parkinson's disease patients will experience a more rapid decline in motor function, sparking hopes for the development of new therapies and helping identify those who could benefit most from early intervention...
 
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    The Spittoon

  • Getting a Handle on Women’s Fertility

    BethannH
    15 May 2012 | 1:21 pm
    Although the majority of respondents to 23andMe’s Female Fertility survey stated that they weren’t trying to conceive the first time they became pregnant, around 13% said that they had tried or were currently trying to become pregnant, a percentage that’s on par with the national infertility average of 10-15%. Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after having frequent, unprotected sex for a year (or for six months if the woman is 35 or older). Although an infertility diagnosis can be frustrating, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll never get pregnant — in…

  • From Menarche to Menopause

    BethannH
    14 May 2012 | 8:00 am
    Two of the biggest physical milestones in a woman’s life are menarche (pronounced “MEN-ar-kee”), the first menstrual period in girls, and menopause, when menstruation stops and female reproductive hormones slow. These milestones are universal and mark the beginning and end of a woman’s reproductive cycle. Research suggests that the age at which menarche and menopause occur is about 50% influenced by genetics and 50% determined by non-genetic factors, though there is also some evidence that menarche may be more strongly influenced by genetics than menopause. Marking Menarche Menarche…

  • Thanks for the Mito Mom!

    BethannH
    12 May 2012 | 7:04 pm
    Mothers are special on so many levels. We cherish them for loving us and imparting important life lessons… and for giving us mitochondria (or “mito” for short)! Mitochondria are small, roundish structures inside of cells that produce cellular energy. They have “zigzag insides” and their own DNA, which can be used to trace a person’s maternal line. Mother’s day marks the beginning of National Women’s Health Week. We’ll be running posts all week about universal female milestones (menarche and menopause) and a variety of other women’s…

  • National Cancer Research Awareness Month

    ScottH
    11 May 2012 | 9:00 am
    Cancer is not one disease, but many. Even looking specifically at breast cancer or sarcoma, the more researchers study these diseases, the more they understand that there are many different kinds of breast cancer and sarcoma. This has been one of the most challenging aspects of researching cures for cancer. This month is National Cancer Research Awareness Month, and 23andMe is highlighting our work in cancer research. We’re also talking to some of the people involved in the research and letting you know about some of the more exciting developments in the field. • Do you have sarcoma, or…

  • SNPWatch: Do These Genes Make My Brain Look Big?

    EChang
    10 May 2012 | 11:00 am
    If you have a big head, you may be subjected to a fair bit of teasing, but science may offer you some consolation. For instance, individuals with a smaller intracranial volume (the area within the skull) are at slightly higher risk for late-life dementia. In addition, a smaller hippocampus (a section of the brain involved in learning and memory storage) has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia. Four papers published recently in Nature Genetics address various measures of head size and their possible health implications. Factors…
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    Parkinson's Journey

  • The Ending of Eras

    Judy Hensley
    12 May 2012 | 2:28 am
    I have recently experienced the end of a very specific era in my life. That is the end of my daughter’s athletic career at her school. My daughter, Carol, is a senior this year (2012) and has played sports at her school since 3rd grade. She is not planning on playing on any school teams in college, and she says she is ready for a break for all the extra work that those activities require. As a student-athlete she has been a participant in track, basketball, softball, and volleyball. I estimate that she has played in over 320 games/meets over the last 10 years.   Of this number of…

  • A Merry Heart

    Sherri Woodbridge
    25 Apr 2012 | 2:56 am
    Homicide was not one of the nation’s top 15 causes of death in 2010, according to new government statistics. That’s the first time since 1965 that homicide has not ranked as a major killer of American citizens. The top 15 list, released January, 2012,  by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, analyzes data from death certificates. The report is preliminary; a more detailed analysis will be released later, according to the CDCP. While the homicide rate took a plunge as the leading contributor for death over the last 45 years, Parkinson’s disease took a hike upward…

  • Early Onset Alzheimer’s: Signs and Symptoms

    Sherri Woodbridge
    25 Apr 2012 | 12:57 am
    You cannot find your keys.  That can happen to anyone. You forget where you parked your car.  Life is stressful, harried, and we have a lot on our minds most of the time.   A common occurrence. You are sitting at the kitchen table and staring out the window as the snow falls gently on the ground and try as hard as you might, you cannot remember what season it is. ’Spring?’ you think.  ‘Does it snow in the spring?  For heaven’s sake girl, it doesn’t snow in the spring.  Fall then – it must be fall.  It’s cold in the fall.  That’s it.’…

  • The First Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

    Sherri Woodbridge
    19 Apr 2012 | 11:29 pm
    ©2012 Sherri Woodbridge In response to a question posed to those with Parkinson’s disease, “What were your first symptoms of PD?”, the following is a list of answers – an important reminder that PD affects no two people the same way.  (FYI – Since this post was originally published, it has been updated and includes newer responses that may not have been previously mentioned.) …First thing I noticed was that I was having a hard time with my balance. …I was working as an order and receiving clerk, so I was on my feet quite a lot. I had this counter that I used…

  • Is Your Spouse Faking Parkinson’s Disease?

    Sherri Woodbridge
    19 Apr 2012 | 11:08 pm
    ©2012 Sherri Woodbridge There have been many stories coming my way lately, regarding the made-up scenarios of Parkinson’s disease. What I mean is this – some are being told by their spouses or other caregivers that their faking it or it’s all in their head (no pun intended). Some are going to the doctor, only to have the doctor (not a specialist in PD) tell them – the patient – that they’re just going through a phase of depression and eventually, they’ll get over it. Let me tell you a tidbit of my story.   At the age of 30 or so, I started…
 
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    Shake, Rattle and Roll

  • Bittersweet 16

    Kate Kelsall
    9 May 2012 | 10:10 am
             Bitter Exactly 16 years ago on May 8, 1996, I was given that “not so sweet” diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) at the age of 46. In celebration of the past 16 years, I participated in a high intensity exercise class, grateful that I still could enjoy such a class. My ideas about PD have changed as I walked along my PD path. Then:  I knew nothing about PD and wasn’t aware of any family members or friends who had it. Now:  I know far more about PD than I ever wanted to know. I have met many inspiring persons with PD and have contact with those with PD on a daily…

  • Infection: A Dreaded Complication of DBS

    Kate Kelsall
    1 May 2012 | 2:07 pm
    Most of us with DBS don't want to consider the possibility of acquiring a DBS-related infection. On the one hand, we want to learn all the details as we assume that knowledge is power. On the other hand, sometimes we only want to know the bare minimum, realizing that knowledge can cause undue anxiety. Thankfully, I haven’t experienced a DBS-related infection, but I have met a number of patients who have. It’s not fun, but fortunately it's usually not deadly. The following is what you need to know (or perhaps more than you need to know) about DBS infections. Infectious Disease…

  • Tremors, Walking and Talking, and Finally Getting Some Sleep

    Kate Kelsall
    18 Apr 2012 | 4:00 pm
    My shaky body and muscle spasms in my right foot awake me at 2 AM. I toss and turn and can’t get comfortable. My resting tremors aren’t resting, but very much awake. I try various yoga poses to combat the tremors -- the downward dog, child’s pose, the bridge and warrior poses – all provide no relief. Suddenly I remember that this is how I felt most nights before the Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) nearly seven years ago. With DBS, I now have another option, in addition to medication, to deal with these tremors. With the programming of Medtronic’s…

  • Make Every Step Count at the Parkinson's Unity Walk

    Kate Kelsall
    16 Apr 2012 | 6:08 pm
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Contacts: Allison Riley, Fleishman-Hillard, 212-453-2113, allison.riley@fleishman.com Helaine Isaacs, The Parkinson Alliance, 800-579-8440, hissacs@parkinsonalliance.org Thousands to Participate in 18th Annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk in Support of Parkinson’s Community Participants make every step count at the largest grassroots fundraiser for the Parkinson’s community Kingston, N.J.— April 9, 2012—The 18th Annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk (PUW) will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 in New York City’s Central Park, The Parkinson Alliance announced today.

  • Caregivers: Your Input Is Valuable

    Kate Kelsall
    6 Apr 2012 | 10:51 am
    Caregivers of Persons with Parkinson’s Disease Be part of an important Parkinson’s disease (PD) study: • Are you a primary caregiver of a person with PD? • Do you want to talk about your experiences in caring for the person with PD? If you answered YES to these questions, you may be eligible to participate in a PD study. The Research: The purpose of this study is to determine how caregivers define the concept of caregiver strain in light of caring for persons with PD. The results of the study will help to develop a new questionnaire to accurately measure caregiver strain. The…
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    We Will Go On

  • Dyskinesia is a Strange Word

    16 May 2012 | 12:51 pm
    Dyskinesia.  What a weird, strange, oddly spelled little word.  What's it mean? Well, its meaning is more than the syllables, vowels and consonants this word is represented by.  It is the condition that occurs when medications used to control parkinsonism -- which includes movements that are abnormal and involuntary -- begin to wear off and stop working.  These shaking and twisting movements occur on their own.  Parkinson's medications are designed to reduce or eliminate tremors and they do so pretty well.  One of the most common medications is Sinemet, which is…

  • From the Inside Looking Out II

    12 May 2012 | 10:59 am
    I had posted the following earlier in the month.  The patient in honor of whom the blog, "The World of MSA-Shy Dragers," was written has passed on.  I am reposting this story in honor of Sammy, who had MSA.  We send our sympathies and prayers to her caregiver and blogwriter, Kristianna.I have made contact through this blog with two other blog writers on Blogger.  Kristianna is the caregiver who started the blog and does most of the posting, and Sam is the MSA patient who occasionally also posts.  This blog is very active and gives the reader a glimpse into the lives…

  • DBS Made More Comfortable for Patients

    9 May 2012 | 5:52 pm
    Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) involves installing electrodes in the deep brain, in the movement center where the Basil Ganglia is located, in order to provide electronic stimulation to that area. The electrodes are attached to a pacemaker-like device that is placed in the chest.  From this device the experts program the patient's electrodes to provide just the right amount of stimulus in just the right locations.  The locations targeted are based on the specific movement issues the patient needs help with improving-- whether tremors, dyskinesia, or other issues.  DBS is also…

  • Jimmy Nalls - Guitar Player with Parkinson's Disease

    2 May 2012 | 6:05 pm
    I often search the internet for interesting information about patients with neurological diseases similar to mine.  I recently came across Jimmy Nalls' website.  Jimmy Nalls is a world renowned guitar player who has worked alongside  BJ Thomas, T. Graham Brown and Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary, just to name a few.  He is known as a great session guitarist and the key member of the 70's band Sea Level, which included three former members of Allman Brothers Band.  According to Jimmy Nalls' website bio, "Guitar Player magazine summarized Nalls' playing for…

  • Parkinsonism-Plus Syndromes

    30 Apr 2012 | 4:47 pm
    Dear Readers/Bloggers: My goal is to present the Parkinsonism-Plus Syndromes in as simple and clear terms as possible.  Easier said that done.  This is an original essay I composed based on over six years of reading and writing about Parkinsonism-Plus Syndromes. IntroductionParkinsonism-Plus Syndromes are conditions which involve the degeneration of the Basal Ganglia, the movement center of the brain. Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinsonism-Plus, will generally affect this part of the brain in that both will have a loss of the cells that produce a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine…
 
 
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    Walking My Path with Parkinson's

  • Happy Mother's Day

    13 May 2012 | 6:58 am
    So there I was, at 4:15 in the "morning", unable to sleep as usual, trudging grumpily downstairs while cursing Parkinson's Disease and everything associated with it.  I glanced at the computer, and there on they keyboard was a card with "Mom" written in fancy script on the envelope.  I opened it, and found a card with a picture of a little boy on the beach; a child who looked so much like my own when he was 6 or 7, I swear it could be him.  Inside was a note from my now 25 year old son, and it starts out "you are an inspiration to me; nothing gets you down, absolutely nothing".

  • Parkinson's Meltdown

    6 May 2012 | 9:03 am
    It's happened.  What I've been dreading has come to pass.  On Friday, things at work became suddenly stressful at just the wrong moment, when I was wearing off.  As people started demanding more and more of me and became more and more impatient with my inability to explain the situation clearly, the Parkinson's symptoms became worse and worse, which of course made me less and less coherent.  I was shaking uncontrollably, unable to move quickly, almost unable to stand or talk.  The guy in charge kept saying things like "that's not a good enough answer", and "that's not…

  • Happy Birthday to me...

    18 Apr 2012 | 6:13 am
    Today is my 52nd birthday.  This is the same age my mother was when she died of cancer.  I know it's silly, but somehow I feel that if I make it through this day, I will have passed some kind of significant milestone.  What would Mom think of me now, I wonder?  If she could see me, she would see a woman old before her time, I think.  It would have made her sad.But I am alive and kicking, and walking and dancing and... everything.  I'm going to enjoy this day no matter what Old Man Parkinson says.   And at the end of the day, I'll raise a glass to Mom and…

  • Getting it through my thick head

    24 Mar 2012 | 7:19 am
    When will I get it through my thick head that I NEED to get enough sleep and exercise (not at the same time) and to remember to take my vitamins as well as my meds?  the last few weeks I've felt just awful.  I had hardly any "on" time, got exhausted by the smallest things and was unable to exercise because of the fatigue, stiffness and pain.  Then I remembered that I had not taken my vitamins all through the holidays and well into February, so I started up again a couple weeks ago.  I also decided to exercise even though it knocked me out.  Sure enough, I'm soooooo…

  • Just another Sunday

    11 Mar 2012 | 10:00 am
    Forgot to "Spring forward" last night, so I'm all discombobulated this morning.  My husband and I went to our support group meeting yesterday, and as usual, we left feeling uplifted and hopeful.  It's just so great to be with a group of people who know and understand exactly what you're going through.  We meet once a month, but every time we go, we pick up conversations as if we had just been together the day before.I found my support group through PPSG (Parkinson's Patients Support Groups, Inc.).  Here's a link: Parkinson's Patients Support Groups, Inc.(I did the artwork…
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    Off and On: The Alaska Parkinson's Rag

  • Parkinson's Activity for the Anchorage Area for the Manic Month of May

    7 May 2012 | 7:43 pm
    Though April showers may come your waaaaay, they bring the snowdrifts that melt in Maaaaaaaaaaay. We hope. But while you're waiting for those drifts to depart, here's your PD events for May, as I know them.This month's Telehealth Conference will be on voice amplifiers and memory assistive devices!  How much more 21st Century can you get than that, I ask you? Find this event Monday May 14 in room 2401 at 1:00 p.m. in the Providence oncology wing on Piper St.  Go to the second floor walk down the lonnnnnnnng hall that stretches South from the cafe and look for room 2401 pretty much at…

  • Assistance Dogs, For When Mere Obedience is Not Enough

    28 Apr 2012 | 11:05 pm
    Dogs made the spectacularly successful decision to partner up with humans so long ago we have only myths and legends to describe the origins of this ancient bond. They now live with us in every region of the globe. Some earn their way through hard and dangerous work, sniffing out bombs or guarding livestock. Others win our affection through their sheer charisma, and are awarded lifetime benefits including lodging, board and a decent medical package. They depend on us, and are great students of the human race, exquisitely attuned and responsive to the small and unconscious signals that we…

  • Doing My Bit For Parkinon's Disease Awareness Month

    26 Apr 2012 | 10:07 pm

  • Parkinson's and creativity: What Choice do You Have?

    10 Apr 2012 | 8:32 pm
    Not long ago there was a burst of items on the Web reporting a link between the start of dopamine therapy for Parkinon's Disease and a flowering of creative energy. This interested me because of the "creative roll" that I have been on since my diagnosis ten years ago.As this streak continued to unfold I began to wonder if it was an artifact of the treatment. If so, was the treatment merely bringing me up to my baseline creativity, or was I being "artificially enhanced", like a ballplayer hopped up on steroids? I worried and wondered for awhile, and then it hit me: What difference does it…

  • Coming Soon to Anchorage, Deep Brain Stimulation Symposium

    31 Mar 2012 | 11:20 am
    Medtronic and Swedish Hospital are teaming up to do a blockbuster presentation on Deep Brain Stimulation a surgical procedure that can have significantly beneficial results for people with Parkinson's Disease as well as other brain maladies, including essential tremor and depression. The presentation will be called Diagnosis, Management and Surgical Therapies for Essential Tremor, Parkinson's Disease and Dystonia. Speakers will include •Jennifer Witt, MD Medical Director, Division of Movement Disorders, Swedish Neuroscience Specialists•Peter Nora, MD Medical Director, DBS Program, Swedish…
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    Parkinson's Insights

  • Thursday's Tip: PDF Champions

    10 May 2012 | 3:50 pm
    A "thank you" goes a long way. One of the most important pieces of your PDF Champions event is making sure you say "thank you" to your participants, volunteers and sponsors for their support of Parkinson's research.You can send an email, invest in inexpensive thank you notes or use the sample thank you letter located in your PDF Champions Welcome Packet as guide. Make sure to highlight the successes of your event; why their participation meant so much to you; how many guests attended; and the total amount raised for Parkinson's. You can even include photos, a video or news articles of…

  • PDF Champions Friday!

    4 May 2012 | 2:45 pm
    For PDF Champions Friday, we would like to highlight Ellene Warren of Los Angeles, CA. Ellene is a great example of someone using  creativity to fundraise for a cure for Parkinson's disease!She has crafted a collection of handmade, crocheted cuffs. She designed this collection specifically to sell and raise money to help fight Parkinson's disease. As a caregiver to a person with Parkinson's, Ellene knows first hand the importance of funding critical research. 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit PDF!Thank you so much for your time and generosity, Ellene!Please visit Elene's…

  • Walk Over the Water: PDF Champions

    1 May 2012 | 11:12 am
    Thank you to the Parkinson's Support Group of the Mid-Hudson Valley for hosting the 2nd Annual Walk Over the Water event on April 29 in Poughkeepsie, NY to benefit PDF!PDF Champion and chair of the support group, Nancy Redkey, helped to make this walk an amazing success. More than 200 people, including Karlin Schroeder, PDF's Advocacy Relations Manager, took part in the walk located at Walkway Over the Hudson. We are thrilled to report that nearly $17,000 was raised for Parkinson's research! This is the second year the Parkinson's Support Group of the Mid-Hudson Valley has hosted Walk Over…

  • PDF Champions Friday!

    27 Apr 2012 | 4:28 pm
    Tomorrow, PDF Champion Jennifer Neathery will be running 26.2 miles in the St. Jude Country Music Marathon in Nashville, TN all to benefit Parkinson's disease research!Ms. Neathery, an avid runner, was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's disease seven years ago at 32. Despite her Parkinson's symptoms, she decided to partake in the run to challenge herself and prove to others that Parkinson's doesn't mean "giving up being active and living a good life."Please take a moment to check out Jennifer's story featured on the Alabama Local News webpage. Thank you for making a difference…

  • Afternoon Tea: PDF Champions

    26 Apr 2012 | 3:10 pm
    Tea, anyone? On Saturday, April 21, PDF Champion Linda Habenstreit held an afternoon tea and jewelry sale to benefit Parkinson's research at her home in Springfield, VA.Linda encouraged her friends and family to purchase a piece of jewelry at afternoon tea all in the name of finding a cure for Parkinson's. Linda raised $700 in total!Congratulations on a successful event, Linda!Photo taken at afternoon tea. From left to right are: Linda Habenstreit (holding Dodie), Ghislaine Sonies, Donna Groves, and Nancy Benjamin (holding Theo).Remember: The Cure Begins With YOU!
 
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    About Parkinson's Disease

  • Parkinsons Recovery Launches Sunday Connections

    admin
    14 May 2012 | 9:00 pm
    Yea. Parkinsons Recovery Sunday Connections was officially launched yesterday on Mother’s Day with Howard Shifke as your host.  Many thanks to Howard for taking time out on the Mother’s Day to host this historic event. And even more importantly, many thanks to his wife who is a mother of three. The Sunday Connections host next Sunday will be Ken Fradkin. Sunday Connections is an opportunity to call in every Sunday at 2 PM Pacific Time (5 PM Eastern Time) and connect with others who are on the road to recovery. Get answers to your questions from the host and other callers who also…

  • Carbidopa/Levodopa

    admin
    14 May 2012 | 1:36 pm
    I want to increase my protein intake but have read (and seem to experience) a decrease in carbidopa/levodopa effectiveness if I eat high protein foods. Do plant based protein sources work better when combined with Parkinson’s medications? Pat Response: I am not aware of any research that addresses this question though it is certainly an interesting one. My simple minded understanding is that protein is protein whether it originates from animals or plants. My intuitive guess is that the cellular structure differs significantly depending on the source. Under your doctor’s close…

  • Medications for Parkinson’s

    admin
    6 May 2012 | 11:28 am
    I take the following medications for Parkinson’s: 1 mg Azilect 20 mg Benicar 20 mg Zocor 8 mg Requip slow release 1/2 tab 25/100 carbidopa levadopa I have been experiencing excessive sweating, nausea and light headedness.  No one can figure out what’s wrong.  What do you think could be causing this? Nancy Response: I recommend that you first carefully study and examine the side effects of each medication you take. Compounding Pharmacist Randy Mentzer, who has been a guest on my radio show several times, says that when a person is taking 5 or more prescription medications, there…

  • Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

    admin
    3 May 2012 | 10:16 pm
    Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery – I am about to begin testing for this and I’m worried that it will cause some irreversible harm in my quest to recover from Parkinsons. How long does the benefit from this surgery last? Is this a short term fix and a long term set back? What are your thoughts? Thank you Pat Response: I personally do not think anything is irreversible. The body has a remarkable ability to heal when given the proper support. One of the issues you may want to process is whether you are depending on a single treatment or therapy that will reverse the symptoms you…

  • Power of Diet

    admin
    24 Apr 2012 | 5:59 pm
    My radio show last week featured Dr. Terry Wahls, MD, who talked about the power of diet in helping people who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinsons reverse their symptoms. She cautioned listeners on the importance of consulting your licensed health care provider when making any dietary changes, since a change in diet can influence the effectiveness of certain medications that you may currently take. Below Ross writes in his own case of just such an experience where a change in diet resulted in aggravating symptoms because the efficacy of the medications was affected. Robert…
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    POSITIVELY PARKINSON'S

  • The Deconstruction of Normal OR, The Search for a Clean Washroom

    12 May 2012 | 9:43 pm
    The muddy footprints coming from the men's washroom in the Cuzco airport boarding area allowed ready interpretation to the sign in Spanish outside the door.  Obviously, men were at work. A new concrete and tile floor was being constructed and I was in somewhat of an anxious search for an alternative facility. Despite having arrived two hours early, leaving no concern about catching the plane from Cuzco to Lima, my inquiries confirmed that there was no other boarding area washroom, and I would have to go back through security.Immediately across the store-lined hallway from security I…

  • We Are a Community

    11 May 2012 | 8:08 pm
    Her tears were real as she sobbed and struggled to find the words in Spanish to express her heartbreak. She was the mother of a 33-year-old man who had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She knew it wasn't her fault, but even so she felt painfully helpless. He was too young and she would've taken it upon herself if she could. The other men and women in the room waited patiently and understandingly for her to express her sense of loss. I was a stranger who had asked an innocent question that had touched her tender heart. When her words were finished I felt like a…

  • Pushing the Envelope at Machu Picchu

    9 May 2012 | 10:42 am
    My clothes soaked through with sweat, I was exhausted after a virtually vertical climb from the Machu Picchu world heritage site (altitude 2400 m/8000 ft.) to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain (altitude 3600 m/12,000 ft.). But invigorated by the sights below I temporarily forgot my burning lungs and leg muscles. The nearby mountains all rose like spires from the valleys below where the rivers were thin, white ribbons bordering our hotel and the tourist village, Aguas Caliente (altitude 2000 m/6900 ft.), now all in miniature. It was the highest point on earth that I had ever been, exceeding the…

  • Getting High, Feeling Low

    5 May 2012 | 11:20 pm
    It is often difficult to sort out one's expectations, especially when it comes to an around the world trip. Yesterday was my 38th wedding anniversary, and my wife and I were more than 8300 km apart. Skype is hardly a replacement for exchanging a hug and a kiss with your loving spouse on your anniversary. Also, by the end of the day, it was apparent that my only connection with the Parkinson's disease community in Lima was not going to be able to make time available for me. It felt like two disappointments in one day. I suppose I should've expected things to not mesh, at least at some point…

  • Passion in Peru

    4 May 2012 | 9:46 am
    Carson has been my friend for more than 20 years, and when I announced almost 2 years ago that I planned to go around the world in 2012, he enlisted. Despite being virtually tied together 24/7 for 10 weeks in less than ideal circumstances, we remained confident that our mutual commitment to open communication, our ability to find humor in most situations, our insatiable appetites for adventure and incurably inquisitive natures made us excellent traveling companions. However, despite similarities, there is nothing like an extended traveling time with someone that can so graphically point out…
 
Log in