My Parkinson’s Diagnosis Story: Early Signs, the “Sinemet Test” & What to Expect

My Parkinson’s Diagnosis Story Early Signs, the “Sinemet Test” & What to Expect

Key Takeaways 1. Introduction: The Diagnosis That Changed Everything Hi, I’m David Gebhart. I’m 44 years old and live in British Columbia. Back in May 2017, I was finally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It was the culmination of a five-year journey from first symptoms to an answer. My type of Parkinson’s is more movement-related than […]

My Second Round of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Therapy for Parkinson’s: What I’ve Learned

My Second Round of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Therapy for Parkinson’s What I’ve Learned

The first time I tried vitamin B1 (thiamine) therapy, it didn’t go well. I wasn’t prepared, I wasn’t ready, and I failed miserably. Hi, it’s David from Life With Parkinson’s. If you’re new here — welcome. Consider subscribing to follow this journey. And to everyone returning, thank you for your ongoing support. This post documents […]

Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease: Understanding, Living With, and Managing FOG

Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease Understanding, Living With, and Managing FOG

Living with Parkinson’s disease presents a variety of challenges, from tremors to stiffness and balance issues. One of the most frustrating—and potentially dangerous—symptoms is freezing of gait (FOG). This occurs when your feet suddenly feel glued to the ground, preventing you from walking despite your best intentions. For individuals like me, even when my symptoms […]

Urinary Tract Infections and Parkinson’s Disease Chapter 1: What You Need to Know Right Now

Urinary Tract Infections and Parkinson’s Disease Chapter 1 What You Need to Know Right Now

I’m just coming out of one of the most unpleasant and frightening experiences I’ve had since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The last eight to ten weeks have been brutal—physically, emotionally, and mentally. But as difficult as this period has been, it’s also forced me to learn something critically important, something I believe everyone living […]

Traveling With Parkinson’s: Lessons I’ve Learned the Hard Way

Traveling With Parkinson’s Lessons I’ve Learned the Hard Way

Traveling has always been an adventure for me — the thrill of seeing new places, spending time with family, and simply being on the move. But over the last few years, I’ve noticed that Parkinson’s doesn’t always play nicely with the open road. Whether it’s a short trip, a family emergency, or just a change […]

Oxalates, Thiamine, and My Parkinson’s Symptoms: What I Learned the Hard Way

Oxalates, Thiamine, and My Parkinson’s Symptoms What I Learned the Hard Way

If you live with Parkinson’s Disease like I do, you probably already know how unpredictable symptoms can be. One day your tremor is manageable, the next day your muscles feel like they’re firing on their own. For months, I kept experiencing strange waves of dyskinesia, internal tremors, nerve pain, and sudden spikes of anxiety — […]

When Positivity Isn’t Enough: The Truth About Living with Parkinson’s

When Positivity Isn’t Enough The Truth About Living with Parkinson’s

“People always tell you to ‘stay positive.’ But no one tells you what to do when that positivity runs out.” If you or someone you care for lives with Parkinson’s disease (PD), you’ve probably heard this advice countless times. “Stay positive.” It’s meant as encouragement, but in reality, it can feel overwhelming — even impossible. […]

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

What is Parkinsons Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is commonly defined as a neurological movement disorder that affects the brain, causing motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement. It also presents non-motor symptoms including anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive changes. While this medical definition is accurate, it fails to capture the full picture of what it’s […]

Donate on Ko-fi Support me on Ko-fi!