Tips for the Newly Diagnosed

You are not alone. Until there’s a cure, we’ll be there for you.

A Parkinson’s diagnosis can bring fear, uncertainty and doubt. Although there’s no simple solution for dealing with the disease, there’s a community of people that are here to support you and help you take control of your life.

Everyone’s experience is different.

Parkinson’s disease can affect you in many ways. Your individual symptoms and experiences will be different from other patients. It’s important to be aware of how you’re feeling and any changes in your symptoms.

Know the basics.

Parkinson’s is characterized by a loss of cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger that helps coordinate movement. Many Parkinson’s treatments work by replacing dopamine or mimicking the actions of dopamine. These therapies only treat the symptoms, not the disease. There is no cure for Parkinson’s – yet. And remember that everyone’s experience is different and you and your doctor should tailor your treatment plan to your needs.

Find trustworthy information.

There’s a lot of information on the Internet about Parkinson’s. A trustworthy site should tell you who provides the information and how to contact them. It should give you information without selling anything. Most importantly the information should be based on medical research with appropriate references.

Ask questions.

Whether you’re talking to your provider or other Parkinson’s patients be sure to have your questions written down and ready to go. And if you don’t understand something, ask more questions until you do.

Take steps to improve your overall health.

Exercising, eating healthy, not smoking and managing stress are great ways to improve your overall health and well-being. Research shows that exercise can also help with Parkinson’s symptoms. Powering Forward is dedicated to providing you with information about all the ways that you can live your life to the fullest with Parkinson’s.

Keep an open mind.

There’s no simple solution to dealing with Parkinson’s. Finding what works for you may require some trial and error. As you read through the stories and tips on this site and others, keep an open mind about trying new things – and remember to be kind and compassionate to yourself in the process.

Remember you are not alone.

Many Parkinson’s patients join support groups to help them live a fulfilling life with the disease. The Brian Grant Foundation and other online networks can also help you connect to the Parkinson’s community to ask questions, share your experiences and learn from others. It’s also important to have a network of people who can support you – and who feel supported. The Brian Grant Foundation also provides information for caregivers and family members to support them on this journey.