QualityofLife (ebook)

You may be reading this ebook because you or someone in your life recently received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Perhaps it was not so recently, but now you are reflecting more on what this diagnosis actually means for you and how it will eventually effect your family too.

Everyone’s PD story is different. Many people with PD vividly remember the moment they were diagnosed and view it as the beginning of a new journey. Truth is, it's going to be a new life path. Often, thinking back a few years and recognizing subtle symptoms that were missed.

It is my hope that this will provide you with the tools to process, effectively cope with and if you apply the principles of the Parkinson's Solution you may be able to overcome this disease and stay focused on the Quality of Life as you keep moving forward.

The most important thing to understand is, you do not need to only follow the neurologists protocols of taking more and more of these dangerous medications and then scheduling your next appointment in 6 months. Let's face the truth here, that's just not working.

As you become more familiar with Parkinson's and it's progression we want to focus more on the aspects of living, coping and improving your quality of life while depending on less medications and improving your symptoms.

Briefly, PD is a complex disorder of the brain that involves the malfunction of brain nerve cells, called neurons, that produce a neurotransmitter, or chemical in the brain, called dopamine. Dopamine helps us control and coordinate our body, resulting in smooth movements. So with less dopamine in the brain you may experience "motor symptoms," or symptoms that are related to movement, such as tremor, slowness, stiffness, difficulty controlling smaller movements, posture changes and imbalance.

Since dopamine is also important for other functions of the body, speech and voice, sleep, bowel motility, cognitive function and mood may also be affected. These types of symptoms are called “non-motor symptoms” and can be present along with motor symptoms. Each person experiences PD a little differently.

The Truth about what Causes Parkinson's

It is estimated that about one million Americans and more than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson's, slightly more men than women. You may be told that the cause is still not known but that's not the truth. I believe knowing and understanding the cause of Parkinson's helps us to make better sense of the solution.

There are known dangerous chemicals and pesticides and environmental pollutants called heavy metals that are the primary causes in most cases of Parkinson's.

Chemicals are many times found in our drinking water and are also sprayed on our foods. Many years ago they widely used a product called DDT that was outlawed in the 70's that causes Parkinson's. Of course that has been replaced by a product most people know of called, Roundup. There are specific chemicals in Roundup that have been proven to cause Parkinson's. These chemicals are then sprayed on our foods and around our home.

The heavy metals found in our environment that also cause Parkinson's are: Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Arsenic.

We know what the doctor tells us... There is no known cause or cure of Parkinson's and the only thing they can do for you is prescribe more and more medications. I don't believe that is not the entire truth...

With some serious research the cause of Parkinson's can be found. It's these chemicals and toxins that make their way into our brain that eventually cause our brain to start to short circuit, going a litlle "haywire" and that's when we begin having these strange symptoms.

It's bad enough what the chemicals and toxins have done to your brain, but then we start pouring more and more drugs (chemicals) into our system that causes even more problems.

It's these medications that typically within 3-5 years begin giving you worsening side effects that will eventually determine your quality of life. The doctor rarely gives you much hope or guidence with Parkinson's. Usually, it's just the prescriptions and you end up doing your own research to really try to figure out what you can do on your own to help yourself with managing your symptoms and maintaing a quality of life.

The Problem with the Medications

Most people I consult with are only aware of "medications" for their treatment protocol. The most common medication prescribed that is still being used and is known as the "Gold Standard" for treatment is literally over 50 years old. So, after 5 decades and a a few billion dollars of research at least a billion dollars you have donated they still havn't come up with anything better... That's just ridiculous to me.

I have discovered so many ways of naturally increasing dopamine using specific foods, supplement protocols and lifestyle modifications that will make an amazing difference to your quality of life. My most successful Parkinson's patients utilize a combination of medications, exercise, our medical-base nutritional program, specific supplements, therapuetic procedures and lifestyle changes and modifications that will makes all the difference in the world when it comes to enjoying their quality of life.

It is well known that Parkinson’s is considered progressive. This means, if you really want to win at this, you must be very involved and make the Parkinson's Solution process your priority and stop waiting until it's convenient to get started. I believe you need to get started TODAY!

One of our patients explained it this way, “the worst day I had was the day I was diagnosed. I was completely stunned. But the best day was when I understood that I actually had the power to make changes in my life to help manage it and still live and amazing life. It gave me back a sense of control in my life.” James, 63, five years after diagnosis

Most likely, your doctor hasn't offered much explanation of this disease. I know this can be very frustrating. You may have heard words and phrases like “chronic,” or “progressive,” “treatment,” “dopamine” or “research.” Perhaps you found it difficult to focus after hearing the word “Parkinson’s.” Now, with the inital visits behind you, it's time to focus on the Bigger Picture questions that go beyond how you feel right now.

It's important to know and understand, that treatment really is a step-by-step process. One thing we know for sure is the importance of being pro-active as Soon As Possible.

Making the best treatment decisions for you is probably the most important decision you will make. It will determine the path you're on and the outcome you will experience overtime. Note: Today's Doctors rarely inform you of the dangerous side effects of Parkinson's medications.

Treatment protocols with medications seem to change often and is very common. Adjusting this dose up or down, adding another and another medication to somehow give you some allure that there's some "perfect blend" of a Parkinson's cocktail that will make everything perfect. Sadly, this never is the case.

I often suggest creating a list of things that you would like to do and continue to do in the next five years, and write them down in your journal. This could be engaging with your kids or grandkids, playing golf, taking a trip, attending a family events, volunteering in the community and being able to take a long walk.

Whatever you choose, these activities should be fulfilling and meaningful to you. After making the list, periodically read it over to see whether the symptoms of PD have been interfering with participating in these activities and meeting your life goals. If not, you are not living the quality of life that you really want. If that's the case, you need to take another approach to your Parkinson's medication treatment protocol.

Many patients will ask their doctor “what stage” am I in. The best way to know that is to look it up for yourself. The 5 Stages of Parkinson's Sometimes patients want their doctor to predict their progression. I believe you are putting your thoughts and energies into the wrong direction. You need to be thinking about what you can TODAY to improve your strength, your attitude, your balance, your nutrition and detoxify your gut, your liver and your brain as much as possible, does this makes sense?

Instead of only focusing on medications you take, I want to encourage you to focus on the positives in your day and what you actually do for yourself today. Because with the right guidance and right plan of action you can make some amazing improvements. Just living from one day to the next and only focusing on your off and on times is not the quality of life I would recommend.

Are you Willing to do Your part to Enjoy the "Quality of Life" you Deserve?

We as humans crave to understand and stay in control of our body and certainly want hope for our future. It should be empowering to know that you actually have more control over this than you even know.

To positively influence your quality of life you will need to participate in proper dopamine nutrition, specific supplements and a regular exercise routine, which benefits in so many ways and typically results in you taking less medications over time too.

I also believe having your support team or a care partner in place can make a big difference in your "quality of life"with Parkinson’s. I have known many patients that must go through this journey alone and they have been successful and if you don't have much of a support team then we can become your support team.

When the Parkinson's Diagnosis is given every person responds differently to the news. Some people react with anger or depression, perhaps feeling resentful that this happened to them, hopeless about what the future may hold or regretful that they did not better appreciate life before PD.

Some begin wondering about certain past lifestyle choices or factors “caused” their PD. Others respond with denial, which can look different from person to person. For some, a diagnosis may mean refusing to talk or learn about PD, holding unrealistic expectations about treatment or progression or seeking out opinions from multiple doctors in a search for any possible explanation for their symptoms other than PD.

Yet others may respond with positivity, or even a sense of gratitude or relief, in having a specific diagnosis, knowing they were not “imagining” symptoms and having a better understanding of what they are dealing with and more definitive answers and treatment options. How someone reacts to their diagnosis depends on a variety of factors; these can include individual characteristics, such as age at diagnosis, whether they are still working and the strength of their support system.

For example, a person who is incorrectly told by a doctor that “Nothing can be done” for PD might respond differently than someone whose doctor thoughtfully answers all of their questions, explains the diagnosis and treatment options and connects them with resources. A person with PD and their care partner may react and cope differently. Family members and friends may feel entirely different from their loved one who is adjusting to the diagnosis. How someone views and feels about this disease will also change as time passes and as they experience different symptoms.

Tell your Close Friends and Family Members and be Amazed by the Support you Receive

I've found most patients do not share their Diagnosis with many people. Unfortunately, there appears to be some stigma associated with PD. This is primarily due to general lack of understanding of the disease and misconceptions about how it will progress. This can make people with PD very reluctant to share their diagnosis and feel worried about what others might say or have pity or avoid them completely.

With most things in life, education is key to helping others understand Parkinson’s, you get to decide when and how you share your diagnosis. You can do this in your own time. Some people immediately tell their friends and family members. Others wait until they have come to terms with the diagnosis or they have symptoms they can no longer hide.

Disclosing the diagnosis can be an empowering experience. It provides an opportunity to bust common myths about PD. It is also a way to educate others about the diagnosis and will help to normalize your life with PD. You may want to share that you are not giving up, that you have many many treatment options that can help you live a long and fulfilling life and despite these weird symptoms, you are still the same person you've always been.

You may even find yourself feeling more comfortable in your own skin when you share your diagnosis and more confident just talking to others. There is no right or wrong way to share about your PD. When discussing your diagnosis, it is OK to feel vulnerable and not to have all the answers.

It is also normal to want to take a break from talking about PD or to wish people talked about it more. If you have already disclosed your diagnosis to others, think about how it made you feel. If you have not yet shared this information with many, consider what your hesitations have been and how and when you plan to tell people.

One thing I know for sure, if you are avoiding telling others about your diagnosis and as a result you are not participating in relationships and activities with others and you've found yourself self-isolating, you are not heading in the right direction.

In the early stages of PD you may wonder when to tell others about your diagnosis. Although no one can make this decision for you, the thoughts and experiences of others might help: “I didn’t tell anyone for a long time because I was afraid that it might jeopardize my job. Also, I didn’t want other people feeling sorry for me or for my kids.” Tom, 51, eight years after diagnosis

Stop holding on to the Secret

I think people hold onto the secret longer than they need to because they want to maintain their privacy and because once you tell, it’s out there and you can’t take it back. I didn’t tell anyone for several years. Then I sent a letter to some of my close friends, informing them. Once I did tell, I felt like a burden had been lifted and I could then ask for some support.” Barbara, 62, three years after diagnosis

“Once I told everyone, it was very liberating.” Jim, 67, two year after diagnosis “I kept the information from my colleagues and friends for years. It’s hard enough to cope with this disease and to also cope with the tension of hiding it. When I finally “came out of the closet,” it turned out that many of my friends either suspected or knew and were incredibly supportive. It was such a relief!” Joyce, 54, four years after diagnosis “When people ask about my limp, I go ahead and tell them I have PD. They’re surprised because I'm so young.

Alex, 72, two years after diagnosis, “Telling my 7-year-old grandson helped me the most. He said as long as I could still push him on the swings, it was OK. And then he gave me a hug and ran off to play. He loves me for who I am and is unphased by my PD. Reminding myself that I’m more than my diagnosis when I tell people helps me feel grounded and connected.”

As a movement disorder, PD affects people in a physical way. You may notice your Parkinson’s in how your body looks and moves, especially if you have visible symptoms like a tremor. Difficulty performing once seemingly minor activities you once took for granted, such as buttoning a shirt, can be frustrating.

These physical changes can influence your mood and even your sense of self. Remember that PD can also affect much more than just movement. Sometimes it can be hard to express the non-physical impact of your symptoms living with PD.

The following outlines some frequent coping challenges people with PD share:

• Unpredictability: Parkinson’s can unpredictable and your symptoms can change drastically even in a single day. People with PD often say the unpredictability is one of the hardest aspects of the disease to manage. Your medications, amount of sleep the night before, your stress level and whether you are properly nourishing yourself and even exercising can impact how you feel.

This can make it difficult to make plans. But, what you can do is: Work on getting comfortable with uncertainty. You may need to find new ways of making plans or, as many people with PD share, learn to “go with the flow” at all times.

• Sense of control: It is human nature to want to feel in control – of our body, decisions, plans and certainly our future. However, a PD diagnosis can force you to recognize that you're not completely in charge as you would like to be. This shakes our beliefs around health and mortality. It's not always easy to remind ourselves that none of us know what the future holds.

Here's, what you can do is: Take back control by taking complete ownership of – your daily routines and by getting involved in a process and a protocol that is designed specifically to turn this around and stay focused on your quality of life.

• Independence: Similar to our need to feel in control, it is normal to want to feel that we can operate self-reliantly. We are taught from the time we are children to learn to function independently in the world. As abilities change during the progression of Parkinson’s people may need to ask for, and accept, help.

This transition can be difficult and can lead to vulnerable, guilty, sad, scared or angry feelings. People with PD frequently share worries of burdening their families.

Remind yourself that these emotions and fears are normal and common. But what you can do is: Reflect on what independence means to you. Share these thoughts with your loved ones. Consider ways you can still maintain a sense of independence while also being uplifted through the support and assistance of those around you that care.

• Lifestyle: We all become used to our lifestyles; whether it’s the activities we enjoy, or the time it takes us to perform specific tasks. Integrating new and specific activities to include exercise programs are very important. What you can do is: Be open to changing and up-leveling your lifestyle. Rather than eliminating the things that are hard to do, make adjustments and be creative about the way you can get them done.

Our patient Jeff, for example, found that while he can still play golf, he will feel more tired than he once did and might not play every hole. He learned to make adaptations rather than giving up a game he loves, and his golf buddies are “more than happy to be finally winning.”

• Roles: As you adjust to life with PD (as well as the normal aging process), your roles within your household and community may shift, making physical and lifestyle changes necessary. You may decide to leave the workforce. You may cut back on driving long distances or opt to stop driving altogether. You may need to ask your partner to help you with things you’ve done throughout your relationship, such as paying bills or cooking.

If you have done something one way for many years or your identity is tied to certain roles (e.g., the family chef, the one who always takes care of everyone), changing these roles can be difficult. What you can do is: Create new roles. If you retire sooner than you would have liked, look for volunteer opportunities that are less demanding but still fulfilling. If you can no longer have the extended family over for family meals, you can always organize a family walk in the park instead.

• Identity: How you feel in your body and how you have always viewed your health are important to how you see yourself and the world. For example, if you have always identified as “a very healthy person who has never had to take medications,” this can be a big change for you. It may lead you to question why this happened to you if you have always made “the right” health decisions.

You may not ever be comfortable incorporating a label, such as “someone with Parkinson’s” into your sense of self. What you can do is: Reflect on your identity. As things change, it is an opportunity to look at things in new ways. Set aside time to intentionally take stock of the things that you like about yourself, the things you have accomplished and how you’d like to see yourself moving forward.

Tips for healthy and effective coping with Parkinson’s

• Try to have both a hopeful and realistic attitude towards your life with PD. While you should give yourself permission and space to feel sad or overwhelmed at times, try to balance that with putting energy into empowering yourself and finding optimism and working on the solutions. Try to let go of what may not be working for you anymore and set small, realistic goals that will feel good to accomplish.

• Use humor – life is too short to not laugh and sometimes that can mean laughing at yourself too, even in sad or hard situations. It may even open you up to viewing something in a different light.

• Don’t let your life revolve around PD but do not deny or avoid it either. This can be a delicate balance, but there is space between the two extremes. Find time where you are focused on addressing your PD and time where you can immerse yourself in the other aspects of who you are. It is possible to incorporate PD into your identity without letting it define you.

• Continue to participate in enjoyable, meaningful activities even if you need to modify them instead of getting discouraged and giving things up as they become harder to do. If you find yourself losing interest in hobbies that you used to enjoy or are no longer finding joy, inform a loved one or someone on your care team as this can be a sign of depression or apathy, both common symptoms of PD that you want to address.

• Be your own advocate. You understand your experience with PD better than anyone else. Speak up for your needs and beliefs in a constructive way. You may need to remind people that they can direct questions to you if you’re finding that they are turning to your care partner to ask about how you are doing. You can share with your partner that you appreciate when they give you the time you need to respond.

• Be kind to yourself. Try to not hold on to judgments of your symptoms or what you think you should have done differently in the past. You want to know that you are doing the best you can right now. You have never been faced with this situation before and you are reacting to it and giving it the best you can, given the circumstances. Being kind also means cultivating patience with yourself – to get through a task at your own pace.

This is all a process. Effective coping looks different for everyone and changes over time. Sometimes chronic and progressive diseases leave people feeling helpless at times, but most people with PD, especially after digesting the diagnosis, share that they surprised themselves with their resilience and can establish a “new normal”. Here is where you find new opportunities for your journey and your quality of life.

“Once I stopped completely dwelling on the fear and shock of having to live with PD, and I took time to reflect on my experience with it since the time I was diagnosed, I realized it actually gave me a lot of gifts. It made me value my time and my family’s support more. I met people and tried things I wouldn’t have otherwise tried. It’s helped me be more mindful and grateful.” Darryl, 74, eight years after diagnosis.

Consider what you are most grateful for and reflect on how you can continuously strive for improvement and show up for yourself and those you love. Like any curveball that life may throw you, there is much personal growth and resilience that can be discovered in living with PD.

Some people impacted by PD also find meaning in connecting with “giving back” to your community. Examples include helping others in a support groups and/or participating in events that you enjoy.

It's so Important that You Continue to Connect

• Socialization. Even if you find it difficult while adjusting to life with Parkinson’s, continuing to build meaningful connections and finding time for interaction with family and friends is essential to your well-being. If you notice yourself socializing less, ask yourself why and how you can address it. For example, eating at a busy and noisy restaurant can become stressful even surrounded by your friends and family.

Choose times and places that have open spaces especially if you have trouble navigating through tight spaces or between tables. You can also invite friends to your house for take-out or a home-cooked meal too.

• Care partners. You do not have to go through this experience alone. Adapting to life with Parkinson’s is best done with a partnership between the patient and hopefully at least one other person. Care partners are those who walk alongside you, providing needed care and support throughout this new journey. This can be physical (giving you an arm to lean on when you put on your socks), emotional (listening to your fears and brainstorming ideas) and logistical (attending doctor appointments, driving and running errands).

Often a care partner is your romantic partner, spouse or an adult child, but it can also be a good friend, sibling, grandchild, professional or another trusted person in your life. You may even have several care partners who take on different roles. However, not everyone has someone in their lives who would naturally become a primary care partner, and others may have a partner who is unwilling or unable to provide this care.

Take the opportunity to talk with those in your life about what they can do to help when it becomes necessary. “I have had to learn what it means to be a Parkinson’s care partner while also still being his wife. We've had to adjust how we plan ahead, and we try to talk things through, but we’ve always done that throughout our marriage. I need to purposely set aside time for my own self-care and find ways that he can support me while I support his with his Parkinson’s.” Ruth, wife of a person with PD.

• Communication. Communicating about Parkinson’s throughout your journey is a critical aspect of living well with this disease. Open and honest communication can be uncomfortable or difficult. It can be especially challenging if your speech or voice is impacted by the disease. Good communication takes intention and adaptation. Whether you are a person with PD or someone who cares for that person, allow time to have conversations about your PD experience; time to share your fears, feelings and needs.

• Support Groups. Many people with PD and their care partners find comfort in meeting others who are also affected by PD. Support groups are not for everyone, and some people avoid them due to a fear of seeing people who are more advanced and can become depressing. I've found it much easier to have online support groups where even complete strangers will lend another a hand or an ear to listen.

You may be surprised to learn that you are not alone in the emotions or challenges you have experienced with PD. Support groups are also a great place to learn symptom management tips and get resource recommendations on everything from books and exercise programs to tips for easier everyday living.

• Intimacy. If you have a romantic or sexual partner in your life, staying connected can also mean continuing to find ways to be intimate with one another. PD symptoms, medication side effects and the normal aging process can all sometimes impact sexual function. Shedding Parkinson’s stressors to become intimate can also be challenging. It can take time to adjust to how you view and move your body or how you and your partner interact, and this can make intimacy more difficult.

Keep the lines of communication with your partner open, even if it's not always comfortable. Talk about what you like, what you miss, what works and what does not, and how you both feel about these things. Many partners want to continue to experience sexual relationships the same as they always did, but, like so many other aspects of PD, you may need to make adaptations as your needs change, and that's OK. Intimacy, or expressing affection and closeness, can go beyond physical or sexual relationships.

Even if your sexual relationship has been altered, you can still find ways to connect intimately. Examples include holding hands, cuddling, sensual touches that may or may not lead to sex or end in orgasm, laughing together, complimenting each other, going on dates, reminiscing, verbally expressing love or gratitude and finding time to connect when you are not talking or thinking about PD.

• Mood and Mental Health. One of the keys to living your best quality of life with PD is to address both the physical and mental aspects of wellness, as the two are inextricably tied for most people. This goes beyond the coping challenges and skills discussed previously in this chapter. An important step to mental wellness is awareness of mood challenges that can arise with PD.

The same chemicals in the brain that are involved in the regulation of movements also influence mood. In fact, more than 50% of people with PD describe experiencing symptoms and feelings of depression and about 30% report increasing anxiety too. Agoraphobia (fear of people, places or situations may cause anxiety) and then there can be panic attacks.

What about Your Attitude?

It is well know that the side effects of the medication increase depression and anxiety and also lead to worsening symptoms like dyskinesias and freezing. These, of course, can also overlap other symptoms too, so be sure to look out for a new development or an increase in any of these signs of depression or anxiety.

The good news is that, just like other symptoms of PD, mood can be successfully treated. Research finds that when you are following a successful plan of action and having the guidance and support you need can positively affect your mood and can be very beneficial. Other lifestyle changes, including exercise, nutrition, engagement in meaningful activities and increased social support also make a huge difference in managing mood changes.

It is known that PD can also cause apathy, or a decreased drive or desire to participate in life or activities. Many times, people with apathy will not feel motivated to initiate an activity, such as exercise or social plans. They will not be excited about the prospect of doing activities but will enjoy them once they are engaged, often as the result of encouragement from a partner. Care partners often must be very thoughtful about helping their loved one overcome apathy without stepping into a “parenting” role.

You may have been wondering how it's possible to live a quality of life with Parkinson's.

It's called having a plan!

This is true with any chronic disease. At the Parkinson’s Solution Group, it is our mission to stay focused on the quality of life by improving the way that you are caring for youself and by providing an introduction on how to get the best care possible and strive towards physical wellness.

When you know you are ready for this, I recommend you join us for the Parkinson's Plan of Action - Training.

You Must Keep Moving!

Establishing a regular exercise routine is an important step for physical wellness. Research proves an exercise routine has numerous positive effects. Start now, wherever you are, start now! These studies reveal exercise improves many aspects of Parkinson’s and one of the key components in managing your Parkinson’s and living with the most quality of life possible.

The research on exercise tells us:

• Produces dopamine for your brain cells

• Grows new blood vessels, helps brain cells get more oxygen and nutrients to stay healthy and participate in the activities of thinking

• Improved brain metabolism and increasing energy

• Increased release of special proteins that strengthen connections (synapses) between brain cells, and growth of new connections

• Improves your immune system (less inflammation)

• Growth of new brain cells. Research confirms that 2.5 hours of weekly exercise is the target amount for people with Parkinson’s that will lead to a better quality of life. This means 30 minutes of exercise five times a week. You can be creative and work around any physical limitations. For example, walk for 10 minutes three times a day instead of one 30-minute walk.

Aerobic exercise such as boxing, dancing, water aerobics and riding a stationary bike are popular among people with PD. Many people also enjoy yoga, Pilates, pickleball and other activities. Any exercise can help as long as it is safe based on your Parkinson’s symptoms and other health factors. You can always check with your doctors or therapists and care partners before starting and make sure to find something you enjoy and that motivates you. Choosing something that you actually want to do will make it easier to incorporate on a regular basis.

I've found it common to have doctors attribute all of your aches and pains to PD when it can easily be something else entirely. We must understand and factor in "normal aging" and our musculo-skeletal system. Additionally, take time to assess your level of stress, related to PD or not, and how it is impacting your physical and mental well-being too.

Building a Support Care Team

Building your Care Team and finding the right care for optimal management of PD, as well as your peace of mind, is essential! Since PD is such a complex disease, you will want to consider adding many different members to your Parkinson’s healthcare team to help manage over time. This will include different types of doctors and therapists and specialists and care partners depending on what you need help with the most.

The ideal PD doctor will provide advice, care and certainly the guidance you will need on how you can help yourself instead of just becoming dependant on medications.

Tips for working with your healthcare team

• Take notes in a journal between appointments, including questions, concerns and new symptoms that you need to clarify.

• Always have a current list of your medications with you when attending your doctor’s appointments, including how and when you take them.

• Try to request morning appointments to reduce your chance of waiting in the waiting room for a long time.

• Give your questions you need answered in advance of seeing and speaking with the doctor.

Every person experiences PD differently. Be intentional about checking in with yourself and your loved ones throughout this journey so that you can continuously assess how you are feeling, what you have learned and what you need to keep moving forward and enjoying your quality of life. You will need to adapt with PD and build your own support system, tapping into the right resources and establishing effective coping strategies.

People can and do live well with Parkinson’s, despite the challenges and changes that arise. Jeff shares: “There are a lot more emotions involved in having Parkinson’s than I had anticipated. I’m feeling different about the diagnosis now compared to when I was first told I had it. I’m sure it will keep changing and that's OK too. I now have friends and many care partners that I can turn to for advice, support and assistance for whatever might arise, and that gives me a sense of calm.

I know it won’t always be easy, but with a clear plan of action and guidance, I now feel much more confident because I was open minded to alternative treatment and just not focused on medications. I am very thankful for having more control over my health and staying focused on my quality of life.”

1. Think about what's most important to you, and really determine what your personal goals and priorities are. I recommend writing them down! This helps to create an action plan to continue doing the things you love and care most about.

2. You do not want to isolate yourself, this does help you. Whatever it takes to stay in communication with people. Even if you have to force yourself to engage with others. Trust me on this, it really is that important.

3. Create healthy habits and choose healthy foods: This may actually help your medications work better and improve your energy. Getting enough sleep helps your body and brain recharge. Small changes can make a big difference and creating a healthy routine may help you feel better.

4. Be active in whatever way works best for you: It’s a fact: Exercise can improve your quality of life. Take action and get involved in some form of regular exercise.

If you are ready to book your Parkinson's Solution consultation and talk about what might work best for you simply schedule a call: