Spill the beans: How do caffeine and Parkinson’s disease interact?

Do you crave that cup (or more) of joe each day? Or a spot of tea or chunk of chocolate? Research about caffeine and Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been all over the map. What have studies shown? And what’s the PatientsLikeMe community’s take on caffeine and its effects when you’re living with PD? Take a… Continue reading Spill the beans: How do caffeine and Parkinson’s disease interact?

Health news: What’s making headlines this month

Let’s stay on top of the latest health news — in case you missed it, check out this round up of some of the stories making headlines in May. ALS May is ALS awareness month: Later this month, advocates from across the U.S. will head to Capitol Hill to meet with their legislators. Check out how… Continue reading Health news: What’s making headlines this month

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) by the numbers, 30 years in

Now that deep-brain stimulation (DBS) — a groundbreaking treatment for Parkinson’s disease — has been around for just over 30 years in the U.S., check out some stats and data about it. Plus, see how many members of the PatientsLikeMe community have had DBS and what they’ve said about it. What is DBS and how… Continue reading Deep brain stimulation (DBS) by the numbers, 30 years in

Courtship with a chronic condition: How “20 Questions” led to a 20+ year relationship

What’s it like dating and starting a relationship when one of you has a chronic condition? Just ask our blog partners Karl and Angela Robb, who’ve been together for 22 years and married for 21 years. Karl has been living with young-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD) for more than 30 years. He and Angela are the couple behind… Continue reading Courtship with a chronic condition: How “20 Questions” led to a 20+ year relationship

What products help people live better with Parkinson’s disease? A room-by-room round-up

Over the years, PatientsLikeMe members living with Parkinson’s disease have discussed a lot of products and ideas for living better with PD. From kitchen knives and eating utensils to shoe horns and shoelaces, we’ve compiled a list of tools you’ve talked about for (almost) every room in the house and many different aspects of life.… Continue reading What products help people live better with Parkinson’s disease? A room-by-room round-up

Life-changing second opinion stories: “I decided to get a second and third opinion…”

Stories showing the importance of second opinions have been popping up in the media and on PatientsLikeMe. Check out the recent news headlines, hear a remarkable story of a PatientsLikeMe member who received a life-saving lung transplant after getting a second (and third) opinion, and share your own experience of piecing together your health puzzle.… Continue reading Life-changing second opinion stories: “I decided to get a second and third opinion…”

Illustrating member perspectives on life with chronic illness

In medical terms, most health conditions have clear definitions. But only people living with chronic illness know what it really feels like to live with it — and making others understand can be a challenge. When we asked some PatientsLikeMe members to explain what life was like with their condition, their responses painted vivid pictures of what… Continue reading Illustrating member perspectives on life with chronic illness

Practicing Reiki and Qigong with Parkinson’s disease: Karl Robb shares the benefits of these complementary therapies

What kinds of complementary treatments can help people with Parkinson’s disease (PD)? PatientsLikeMe blog partner Karl Robb recently shared with us about his complementary therapies of choice: Reiki and Qigong. Karl has been living with young-onset PD for more than 30 years and practicing Reiki for nearly 20 years. He and his wife, Angela, are… Continue reading Practicing Reiki and Qigong with Parkinson’s disease: Karl Robb shares the benefits of these complementary therapies

“Dealing and healing” together: Karl and Angela Robb team up with PatientsLikeMe and share about living with young-onset Parkinson’s disease

PatientsLikeMe is pleased to announce a new collaboration with Karl and Angela Robb, the husband-and-wife team behind Karl’s blog, “A Soft Voice in a Noisy World: Dealing and Healing with Parkinson’s Disease,” and the authors of two books. You might’ve already seen Karl’s #MoreThan story. Karl and Angela recently shared even more with us in… Continue reading “Dealing and healing” together: Karl and Angela Robb team up with PatientsLikeMe and share about living with young-onset Parkinson’s disease

Author, Reiki master, inventor, husband: Guest blogger Karl Robb shares why he’s #MoreThan Parkinson’s disease

Inspired by our new #MoreThan video series, patients have been speaking up about what makes them more than their diagnoses. Below, Karl Robb — blogger, author and advocate — shares his #MoreThan story about living with Parkinson’s disease. My name is Karl Robb. I have been blogging about Parkinson’s disease for over 10 years on my… Continue reading Author, Reiki master, inventor, husband: Guest blogger Karl Robb shares why he’s #MoreThan Parkinson’s disease