The Parkinson's Experience podcast

I cry readily and often and this is new to me. I rarely cried until about 5 years ago. Now I cry at commercials! Do you experience this?  I asked my support group and about half of us share the same feelings. What is happening?
Parkinson's disease affects much more than movement. It can also change how we experience and express emotions. Some people living with Parkinson's find themselves tearing up more easily than they used to—during a touching movie, a meaningful conversation, a beautiful piece of music, or even a moment of kindness. These emotional responses can feel surprising, particularly when the person isn't necessarily sad.
Research suggests that Parkinson's can affect the brain networks involved in regulating emotions. However, increased tearfulness can have several different explanations. Depression and anxiety may contribute, while another neurological condition called pseudobulbar affect, or PBA, can cause sudden, involuntary episodes of crying or laughing that may not match how a person actually feels. Researchers have documented PBA in people with Parkinson's, although estimates of how common it is vary considerably across studies.
It is important to recognize that becoming more emotional does not automatically mean someone is depressed or has PBA. In this episode, we talk with movement disorder specialist, Dr. Ospina to better understand why this occurs and what therapy is available if this symptom is undesirable.  Most importantly, people with Parkinson's should know that emotional changes deserve the same attention and understanding as the physical symptoms of the disease.
Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson's disease at https://DBSandMe.com/17branches

Traveling with Parkinson's can require a little more planning, but it doesn't mean you have to stay home. In this episode, we talk about practical ways to make traveling with PD safer and less stressful—from preparing your medications and medical information to navigating airports, arranging assistance, managing long flights, staying comfortable, and planning for the unexpected. We'll share tips to help you feel more prepared before you even leave home.
One of the biggest challenges when traveling internationally is medication timing. What happens when you're traveling to a destination that is several hours ahead—or behind—your normal schedule? We'll discuss strategies for maintaining your medication schedule across time zones, using alarms and timers, and making sure you have enough medication in case of delays or other travel problems. Whether you're flying across the country or around the world, a little preparation can go a long way toward making your trip more enjoyable. Hope these tips are helpful.
https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/tips-traveling-parkinsons-disease
Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson's disease at https://DBSandMe.com/17branches

If you have Parkinson's, chances are you've thought about falling—or perhaps you've already experienced one. A fall can be more than just a bruise or a broken bone. It can affect confidence, independence and the willingness to keep moving. And once you become afraid of falling, it can be tempting to do less, which can create its own challenges.
For Falls Prevention Week, September 21–25, this episode looks at the connection between Parkinson's and falls. Why do we fall? What role do freezing, balance problems and medications play? Can exercise and physical therapy really help? And what changes can we make at home to reduce the risk? I spoke with Jennie Alex, PT at The Parkinson's Fitness Project and Daily Dose PD. She helped us understand balance issues in Episode 135. We explore these questions and share practical strategies for people with Parkinson's and their care partners. The goal isn't to stop living because we're afraid of falling—it's to find ways to keep moving safely and confidently.
https://theparkinsonsfitnessproject.com/
https://www.dailydosepd.com/
Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson's disease at https://DBSandMe.com/17branches

After living with Parkinson's for 10 years, I still struggle to recognize when I'm experiencing OFF time. And dyskinesia? I never quite know when it will happen or why. I'm sure I'm not alone.
So, as part of our "Dr. Ospina Explains" series, I asked Dr. Ospina to break down the terms we hear so often in Parkinson's: ON, OFF, dyskinesia, dystonia, and more. She walks us through the medication roller coaster—what it looks like, why it happens, and how it can change over the years.
She also explains how to tell the difference between OFF symptoms, dyskinesia, and dystonia, and why it's important to pay attention to more than just movement. Non-motor symptoms can also fluctuate with medication and may even signal an approaching OFF period before motor symptoms appear.
This is an episode you may want to bookmark and come back to. Understanding these differences can help you recognize what's happening in your own Parkinson's journey—and, ultimately, better communicate with your care team about how symptoms are affecting your quality of life.
Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson's disease at https://DBSandMe.com/17branches

In our last episode, we featured a wearable device that uses gentle vibrations to help people manage Parkinson's symptoms and reduce anxiety. If you haven't listened yet, I encourage you to do so. It's a fascinating conversation about how something as simple as a vibrating wristband—BeechBand—may influence the brain in ways that help ease anxiety and tremors. Best of all, it's easy to use and fully refundable if it doesn't work for you in 100 days..
This episode also explores wearable technology, but with a very different purpose—one that could transform how we manage Parkinson's and partner with our healthcare teams. StrivePD, developed by Rune Labs, is an app that pairs with your Apple Watch to track movement, heart rate, sleep, and other important health data. It then provides easy-to-understand reports that highlight trends over time, giving you a clearer picture of how your Parkinson's is changing between doctor visits.
Imagine arriving at your next appointment with objective, actionable information instead of relying on memory alone. That kind of insight can lead to more informed conversations and better care decisions. And this is only the beginning of what's possible with StrivePD.
I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Rune Labs CEO Amy Gordon Franzen and learning about the future of digital health for Parkinson's. I think you'll find it both informative and inspiring.
https://www.strive.group/
https://www.runelabs.io/post/strivepd-empowering-parkinsons-patients-with-personalized-insights
amy@runelabs.io 
Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson's disease at https://DBSandMe.com/17branches