For Those Recently Diagnosed With Parkinson's ❤️ 

For those just diagnosed my advice would be: A) stop and breathe…Parkinson’s isn’t going to race away out of control if you take your time, so stop and breathe. B) once you’ve got your head around the diagnosis a bit….move, exercise and don’t stop. Everything with Parkinson’s is better if you exercise….truly everything….EVERYTHING. Your tremors, your rigidity, your depression, your apathy, it will all improve…so get moving! C) breathe a bit more, listen to Jen’s stories, write your own stories, learn more about Parkinson’s…. D) live your best life That’s my wisdom after living with PD for 12 years ❤️ As always, Jen, love your work and you are definitely rockin the eyewear!

Five years on from my PD diagnosis I'm doing great. Having the right outlook is super-important. We can't cure PD but we can sure put up a fight. After my diagnosis I lost 10Kg, started lifting weights, added creatine monohydrate as a supplement to my diet and now walk 5-10 miles a day (when weather allows). The things that worked best for me were exercise (use it or lose it), a high protein diet and trying out as many things in respect to diet as possible. Science says that exercise works because the endorphines released during exercise actually stimulate the production of dopamine. Likewise, coffee (counter intuitively) can be useful because caffeine also stimulates dopamine production. The creatine boosts energy levels and at least one study indicates an improvement in the symptoms of PD. I have probably read thousands of studies and medical papers on PD and joined many of the dots myself so that I'm really happy with my current situation. Although my first symptoms were a tremor, that hasn't actually gotten much worse and the most annoying aspects now are sleep disorder (my wife has the bruises to prove it) and dyskinesia that sometimes affects my hands and feet for 20 minutes at a time. My doctor has prescribed Cinemet CD/LD but I rarely take it because 95 percent of the time I don't need it. I realise that at some stage I will have to fall back to medication but in the meantime I've discovered that there's a *lot* you can do outside of taking pills. At this stage (in the second year of my eighth decade on the planet) I intend to live forever or die trying!

Hello. I think you're awesome. I was diagnosed 5 years ago . I'm 48 now . I love your channel ❤

I was missed diagnosed for two years with essential tremors. Finally found a neurologist who did the testing and said I had Parkinson’s.

i'm 66, a fairly recent widower with Crohn's disease and no family nearby. I was diagnosed with PD two days ago. Your channel is the first one i found. I'll be back. Thank you

Thanks for you video. You are so positiv. And it is tru there are fantastic people in the Parkinson community. No Guinness this time. You are good on your diet. Your glasses suits you well.

Great advice, as always! 🙂

Love, love, love your timely video. Just last night this was part of the discussion with an online group. Then this morning I was overwhelmed and stressed while writing a silly email. It’s often a roller coaster ride and even if you don’t like it get used to it. Never give up, fight back! 😊

Well done! As someone who is still fairly new to this whole thing, the diagnosis shock and immediate confusion are still raw. Many of us step out of the doctor’s office armed only with a prescription, a follow up appointment (“see you in 3 months, stop at the window on your way out”) and some brochures with pictures of a few happy Parkies doing their exercises. Thank goodness for you and others who help connect the community through social media!

Great advice! I love your glasses too!

I was just diagnosed a month ago, guess I’m still in denial, but when my body aches and I’m just not feeling the way I used to. It’s just surreal

Was told I have cervical stenosis which might cause some of my Parkinson's symptoms to be worse. thank you very much for your videos they help.

do you have side effects with medication

What sort of life or long term policies did you get or wish you would have gotten leading up to or shortly after diagnosis?

I was diagnosed in Feb I'm not on meds yet but doing a lot more excercise it's working for me I just have tremor in thumb at moment

Senate passed the Parkinson’s Act bill. I have faith that we are close to finding something to stop the progression and one day a cure. Many other god news with research, I read doctors are working on DBS that will improve gait not just tremor. I know I’ve only had PD for two years but I have faith.

Can you share your daily menu with us please

I was just diagnosed. i have had issues for about 10 years. i am in major pain everyday. I take tramadol to help with pain. Super stiff and get leg cramps so severe that i cant walk for a few days without limping. and i still am trying to get meds worked out. I tried C/L and it made me feel like a zombie and i feel sleep. . i am now on mirapex and so far ok try to work my way up to doctors prescribed amount. Mirapex helped so much but still makes me tired on top of normal fatigue. I was told that i have Parkinson's plus but cant get a real explanation on what that is? i believe he means i have some atypical Parkinson's symptoms. I have action tremor as well. i am more interested in meds and how they work. I appreciate your videos. did you ever take Mirapex?

You're amazing,pretty like my story just i don't have enough courage to join a support group. I feel like afraid to see / to hear people's stories.

My dog and me go big walks, walking is great

Great advice. Love your videos.

That's mad. A neurologist can make an accurate diagnosis and why would you think your life is over. More positive thinking needed here Id say.

Thanks for the video. It means a lot to me as I have just been diagnosed. I needed something to digest and think that I will still have life, which your video did! Thanks a million!

The levodopa test is how I got my diagnosis. Within 30 mins of taking it,my stiffness tremor and slow movement improved.

Has anyone discussed being nauseous taking carbidopa lebadopa? I was given more carbidopa to stop it. It's working so far.

MY NEURO OPINES THAT MY NEUROLICAL DISORDERS ARE "PROBABLY PSYCHOSOMATIC". THAT DIAGNOSIS TEARS AT MY SENSE OF SELF. "HOW CAN I BE TOTALLY OBLIVIOUS TO THE WORKINGS OF MY MIND? AM I INSANE? AM I FAKING?" I ASK MYSELF. I WON'T DETAIL THE EXTENT OF MY NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS HERE OTHER THAN TO NOTE THAT WITH EACH PASSING DAY MY SYMPTOMS ARE WORSENING: ATAXIA; PROPIOCEPTION, AND TREMORS MAY NOT BE PARKINSON'S BUT THEY SUFFICE UNTIL PARKINSON'S ARRIVES. I VISIT ANOTHER NEURO IN OCTOBER. MAYBE THEN THE ANSWERS WILL COME. IF THE DIAGNOSIS IS 'PSYCHOSOMATIC', I WILL DEFINITELY SEE A SHRINK BECAUSE, CLEARLY, I AM OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY.

Fabulous advice, you've covered pretty much everything. Particularly important is a support group, ideally local but online is also good - It's very important to know that you're not alone. P.s love the new specs! 🤓👍

I was told after two days of calling the neurologist on my cell standing in the bathroom at work. "Did you want to talk about a plan now or do you want to make an appointment?"

I was referred to Level Eleven Therapy which was fabulous!

Hi Jennifer, That's timely and clear info to help us 6:35 remember that conditions are different for newly diagnosed people. Compared with those of us who have been with Parkinsons for many years. cheers John

My first neurologist was honest. He told me my issues were out of his league and to get a second opinion. I now have one of the best neurologist in the Southeast.👍 In the past I never knew there were different types of neurologists with different specialties. Sounds like I was uneducated about it but at that time “life was simple” and I didn’t keep up with doctors.

Hi Jennifer, do you struggle with anxiety ? ❤❤

For how long you been having Parkinson’s?

bonjour dear your videos always great

As usual very helpful, good to talk and learn about parksons

I've watched video this a few times. I'm trying to work out though it wrecks me for an hour after. I'm fine during the workout, but I have symptom overload afterwards and have to ensure I have couch time after a workout. 😵‍💫 Also, making small changes to nutrition. I could eat better but small steps and want to get my exercise working first. Just don't want to change everything at the same time. 😎🌴

Since you mentioned stanford. Have you heard about the parkinson gloves from Dr. Peter Tass?

Oh it’s so good to see you Jennifer. “love the glasses”. You are so true. I’m blessed to finally find the right doctor. Last week I was able to get to Sonoma, CA. for Nascar Race. I finally got to WALK across Golden Gate Bridge “Bucket List” I used my Rollator walker and I was slower than others but I DID IT 🎉🎉. So excited.

My husband was diagnosed with PD 3 years ago after his keno therapy sessions. He started taking levodopa/carbidopa and he was very active and doing fine but this year he went through a lot back pain sciatica nerve and Sesamoiditis so he couldn’t be active as he was then his PD symptoms get worse. Weight loss sleeping disorders depressed. It’s a nightmare😢. But we still have hope.

I've heard you say that you responded to C/L right from the start. Did you respond to C/L with the 1st dose? Or did it take several doses before you responded?

Thank you! This is so helpful as the significant of someone that has been diagnosed with PD AND essential tremor. May i ask how much sinemet u take a day and how often? Is there a max?

Great video thank you!

Can you add the Support Group Link please? I was diagnosed a year ago with Lewy Body but now have been switched to Parkinson's with dementia. I would love to find a Group for Parkinson's. Thanks.

I like the new glasses 🤓

I'm sure this helped a lot of people Jennifer. Thank you. Just seeing someone several years in who is young and vital will help people realize they can still lead a good happy life. Granted there will be more challenges now ,ore than some people face but less than others. And I must saw the parkinsonCX-KD9SDM6XLB46QR5W