In my recent article I talked about the urgent need to find a cure for Parkinson’s. I am super excited to say that we have some early positive indications that continue to raise our confidence that we might soon have a substance that is curative. I am part of a Phase III trial taking place in the UK, of an existing diabetes drug, called exenatide. Its primary goal is to stimulate the pancreas to more efficiently produce insulin. But we also…
Parkinson’s 2022: A Glimpse of a Cure?
March 24, 2022With a global pandemic in full force for the last two and half years, personally it just didn’t feel right to blog about my journey with Parkinson’s. Especially with so many people sick and even dying around the world. I count myself fortunate having managed to avoid COVID all that time. And like so many other people lucky that, if I get it now, advances in global vaccine research, have rendered it no less lethal than the flu. So here…
Benefits of Exercise & Parkinson’s
February 9, 2020In my last blog post I talked about Running and the various issues I have had continuing to run with Parkinson’s. I have been belligerent and carried on exercising and running, as I think its a great stress buster and probably good for my Parkinson’s. The more I have looked into this the more I feel that exercise is a fundamental requirement for Parkinson’s patients. Research is beginning to point to a slowing down of the relentless progression of Parkinson’s…
Run Forest Run….
December 20, 2019In my other blog post I talked about how I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s due to difficulty running. This was due to rigidity in my shoulder, that was initially only apparent when I ran. And it made the whole experience of running far less enjoyable – and sometimes painful. Particularly disappointing for me as I have been running for many years now, it is something I have really enjoyed, it’s a great stress buster, gets you out in the fresh…
Conny’s Story
November 27, 2019Since going public with Parkinson’s, I have met and spoken to lots of people that have the disease. Some are at the start of their journey and beginning to learn all about Parkinson’s and what it will allow them to continue doing (or not doing), others have travelled further on the journey than I have. It has been a source of inspiration to meet or talk to all of them. I have learned a lot more about what is to…
“Going Public” : What Happened?
November 8, 2019At some time or another all people that suffer from Parkinson’s will have to tell their loved ones, friends and colleagues about their diagnosis and disease. Owing to the stigma and misunderstanding that society has of this illness, most people wait until they can’t hide it anymore – when the symptoms are becoming more pronounced and visible. As a consequence, they may have lived secretly with Parkinson’s for many years, fearful of what will happen when people know. Perhaps fearful…
Route to Diagnosis
September 23, 2019Summer 2017 The day I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, in the summer of 2017, was one of the worst days of my life. Having left the doctors practice, I sat with my wife of six months, in a garden square in central London, and sobbed. I was scared, my mind instantly painted a picture of “me” in the later stages of the disease, unable to care for myself, in a wheelchair, shaking uncontrollably. But I was most upset about the…
Whats in a Name?… #stirrednotshaking
August 28, 2019I asked my colleagues for some help coming up with a memorable name and hashtag for this blog, we came up with #stirrednotshaking. I like it, catchy and memorable, reminds you of those old James Bond martini moments! But there’s a lot more too it than that. The image most people conjure up in their minds, when they think about Parkinson’s sufferers is of someone shaking uncontrollably, and not able to walk too well. But many of us don’t shake…
Why This, Why Now? My Parkinson’s Journey
August 12, 2019Parkinson’s is a neuro-degenerative disease, that is often misunderstood. Leading those diagnosed to become scared and worried about their future. Many online resources focus on the later stages of the disease presenting those diagnosed with the final “outcome” rather than the (often long) journey, which may allow a high quality of life for many years.…
My Girlfriends drains……
June 10, 2019Everyone has heard the joke, “My dog has no nose..” “How does he smell”…….Terrible! Well I discovered that one of the earliest tell tale signs of Parkinson’s is that you may loose your sense of smell. Who knew?? And whilst everyone would like a perfect sense of smell, its really helpful for the doctors to help identify how long you have had Parkinson’s when they diagnose you. For me, when I was diagnosed, two years ago, the doctor asked how…