Living

When many patients with incurable conditions reach a certain point in their battles, it becomes necessary to find hope in any way possible. It's easy for us to say, "cheer...

Working in an acute care hospital as a medical social worker, it was part of my job to help deliver bad news to patients and their families and help them...

Our resident artist here at ParkinsonsDisease.net, Peter, created a new comic in a four-part series on PD symptoms and side effects. This second installment discusses medication side effects and drug...

The use of marijuana to ease many Parkinson's symptoms seems to come up everywhere in our community. At support group meetings and Parkinson’s conferences, it is often the first subject...

They say the gut is the second brain in our bodies because of all the complex neuronal connections it possesses. Furthermore, the latest theory is that PD may have its...

The United States is currently in an epidemic that is often referred to as the “opioid crisis.” This has led to a change in the availability and access of opioid-containing...

Opioids are medications that have the ability to alleviate pain. They also have other properties that allow them to impact emotions and our sense of pleasure, which can make them...

I have had Parkinson’s disease (PD) for 20 years and deep brain stimulation (DBS) for 10 years now. I have finally conceded that there may be symptoms that are not...

There are some questions about Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) that I would like to clear up. The first question is: When should I apply or file for SSDI? Although...

Chronic pain on its own can be difficult to manage. Unfortunately, chronic pain and its treatment may also have an accompanying stigma that makes this issue even more frustrating to...

Our resident artist here at ParkinsonsDisease.net, Peter, created a new comic in a four-part series on Parkinson's symptoms and side effects. This first installment discusses the difference between PD symptoms...

In part one of this two-part series, I was explaining why the high cost of prescription drugs sometimes seems like a game of musical chairs. The Journal of the American...

Many people with Parkinson's disease can manage their pain using over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines, physical therapy, and exercise. But some people experience “breakthrough” pain. This is pain that cannot...

Back by popular demand is my top 10 gifts for people with Parkinson’s disease! The holidays can be stressful enough without having to try to figure out that perfect gift...

A living will is known by several other names, including advanced directive, healthcare declaration, medical directive, and many more. There is often confusion about what these words mean and why...

Participating in Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) is the single most important thing I have done for myself since diagnosis five years ago. I wish I had started the day I...

In life, there are some people who transcend the nature of what they do to become something greater. By virtue of our deep connection and respect for their thoughts/deeds/attitudes, they...

In this series, we discuss the causes of anxiety for those facing physical illness and its side effects. Phrases in bold are the words of our community members across various...

Most people think of Parkinson’s disease (PD) as a neurodegenerative motor disorder. When you picture someone with Parkinson’s you imagine someone with a tremor, slowness of movement and difficulty controlling...

I heard these words, “you have Parkinson’s” and didn’t have a clue as to what was heading my way. Among other things I learned it takes a team to stay...