Posts by: Dr. C

Taking a vacation when you have Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not simple. There is always anxiety about the disease making things go wrong. Mrs. Dr. C. and I were invited ... Read more

June 4, 2021June 4, 2021

Thinking of Parkinson’s Disease as a Brain Injury

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

My clinical training is in helping people recover from brain injury. After receiving my Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis and reading that scientists believe the disease is linked to the destruction ... Read more

May 21, 2021May 21, 2021

Medical Marijuana and Parkinson’s: It’s Complicated

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

It is disappointing that medical marijuana is not among the first line of treatments a provider suggests for Parkinson’s disease, particularly when one is using federally sponsored medical services. But ... Read more

May 7, 2021May 7, 2021

The Old Well Ain’t What She Used to Be

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

I used to bound out of bed, my internal well of resources fully refreshed, ready to tackle anything the day presented. Not anymore. The old well ain’t what she used ... Read more

April 30, 2021April 30, 2021

Sharing Our Stories Reveals That We Are Not Alone

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

When my wife and I chat with people about having Parkinson’s disease, we often hear comments like, “My brother has Parkinson’s.” Or, “My uncle had Parkinson’s.” Or, “Both of my ... Read more

April 16, 2021April 16, 2021

How a ‘Support Partnership’ Helps to Improve Life With PD

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Maybe there were special awareness months in previous years, but this year has eclipsed them all with dire intensity that erases memory. It’s been one ... Read more

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021

How Our Perception of Pain Influences the Way We Manage It

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

“Dr. C seems better these days, don’t you think?” Neo asks Mrs. Dr. C. Neo is the inner part of Dr. C’s brain that shares his insights on Parkinson’s disease, ... Read more

March 19, 2021March 19, 2021

8 Steps I Take to Get Better Sleep With Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

Ever had one of those mornings when you wake up and look around, but you’re not sure where you are or how you got there? It used to happen regularly ... Read more

March 5, 2021March 5, 2021

It’s a Horrible Illness but You Can Change That

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

My Parkinson’s symptoms have gotten worse. Every day has two peak off times that I think of as “horrible.” During peak off periods, I experience the following sequence: First: Pain ... Read more

February 19, 2021February 19, 2021

COVID-19 and Flu Viruses Can Worsen Parkinson’s Symptoms

COVID-19 Columns, Parkinson’s News Today Columns

It’s flu season, my least favorite time of year. I always experience some flu-like reactions to the vaccine and get a mild viral infection anyway. This year, after receiving two ... Read more

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

How Do You Know When Your Parkinson’s Is Getting Worse?

COVID-19 Columns, Parkinson’s News Today Columns

One of my biggest problems with the current science about Parkinson’s disease is the way that progression is described. Early stages of the disease are poorly understood and explained. The ... Read more

January 22, 2021January 22, 2021

How We Make Our Relationship Work With Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

“Mrs. Dr. C, I’d like to know how you are doing,” says Neo, Dr. C’s inner voice that facilitates conversations. “Recent events have been stressful, yet you and the good ... Read more

January 15, 2021January 15, 2021

When Parkinson’s Escalates Confusion, I Use Emotion Management Tools

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

Every New Year’s Eve, I stay awake until the stroke of midnight. It is a tradition of mine. I use this moment every year to be thankful for the good ... Read more

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021

Encouragement Empowers and Helps Me to Manage Loneliness

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

This holiday season plucked discordant strings of loneliness for me, which resonated off-key because of an overlap with exacerbating Parkinson’s symptoms. We tried the family video chat. Maybe we are ... Read more

December 18, 2020December 18, 2020

Find the Joy, Even in the Worst of Times

Parkinson’s News Today Columns

I am seeking the joy in life. It’s difficult with medical setbacks or the off-period surges of pain and emotion. But joy is still available. I know it. I feel it. ... Read more