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Living with Parkinson's Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients and Caregivers
An optimistic guide from an expert author and the world authority on Parkinson's disease. Worldwide, there are more than 10 million people living with Parkinson's disease (PD). In the US alone, approximately one million Americans live with PD and approximately 60,000 more are diagnosed each year. Internationally renowned as both a neurologist and a leading researcher, Dr. Okun has been referred to as "the voice" of these patients and a world authority on Parkinson's disease. His positive and optimistic approach has helped countless people manage their symptoms and achieve happiness despite them. This approach, detailed in his new book, Living with Parkinson's Disease , is a critical resource for Parkinson's disease patients and their families. Presented in a friendly and easy-to-understand way, this book addresses PD-related issues and symptoms along with emerging therapies. In each chapter, Dr. Okun offers patients the necessary tools to manage their disease and to ultimately find joy and fulfilment in their lives.
- GenresNonfictionHealth
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 3, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 21, 2025
I opened this book because a family member was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and boy was I blown away by the wealth of information that this book provides. It outlines the medical symptoms as well as the non-medical symptoms that can accompany a Parkinson's Disease diagnosis.
The medical treatments that are available are explained clearly as well as treatments for the side-effects of Parkinson's like sleep issues, constipation, or fear of falling. It asks a question that I never thought about before, it goes something like this - if you were to have brain surgery (on the dopamine producing area of the brain called DBS) would you rather be awake or asleep? It was a question that I had never asked myself before, I thought that there was only one answer. I didn't know that the other was an option.
The book and the authors emphasis the need for a holist approach and a team of experts when making decisions about Parkinson's treatment and that team will depend on the presentation of Parkinson's in the patient. It is individual and it is on a case-by-case basis. Some patients might require a speech specialist while others might require urologist. There is some common ground for all and those usually include a neurologist, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, and a movement specialist. It looks into the possibility of video-calling to allow busy people or people who live in a rural area to have more access to specialist help.
An engaging read that is practical and easy to access, as all of the terms are fully explained, as they come up in the text.
The medical treatments that are available are explained clearly as well as treatments for the side-effects of Parkinson's like sleep issues, constipation, or fear of falling. It asks a question that I never thought about before, it goes something like this - if you were to have brain surgery (on the dopamine producing area of the brain called DBS) would you rather be awake or asleep? It was a question that I had never asked myself before, I thought that there was only one answer. I didn't know that the other was an option.
The book and the authors emphasis the need for a holist approach and a team of experts when making decisions about Parkinson's treatment and that team will depend on the presentation of Parkinson's in the patient. It is individual and it is on a case-by-case basis. Some patients might require a speech specialist while others might require urologist. There is some common ground for all and those usually include a neurologist, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, and a movement specialist. It looks into the possibility of video-calling to allow busy people or people who live in a rural area to have more access to specialist help.
An engaging read that is practical and easy to access, as all of the terms are fully explained, as they come up in the text.
December 18, 2025
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) more than 6 years ago. The tremors started affecting my left hand at first; 3 years later, it affected my left leg, causing me to walk funny (jerking movements) every time. I was taking levodopa/carbidopa. In April 2017, I had a deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedure done. DBS helps me tremendously, but I still have to take levodopa/carbidopa 3 times a day, maximum dose: 25 mg/100 mg x 2. I try amantadine, but it's no help. I was approved by my neurologist to try feasible alternatives to my current prescribed medication in the hope of improving my quality of life. And I have to say this natural treatment is a 100% game changer for anyone with PD. There has been a complete turnaround with my balance, mobility, swollen feet, speech, and tremors. This is the best that I've felt in years. Visit Limitlesshealthcenter. com. I have stopped taking levodopa completely for several months, at least 7 months now, and still feel great.”
May 30, 2024
This is a nearly exhaustive guide. It covers all the medical bases in-depth. I wish that Okun and the MDs had brought in co author nutritionists and physios to go deeper into nutrition and exercise therapies.
I also wonder if this could have been divided into 3 different guides for various stages. One book for early, mid and late stages. The reason I mention this is because information relevant to mid and late stage issues may be scary and depressing for someone in an earlier stage. Late stage interventions may also confuse earlier stages who might think they need to be jumping right to doing that stuff earlier than they do.
I also wonder if this could have been divided into 3 different guides for various stages. One book for early, mid and late stages. The reason I mention this is because information relevant to mid and late stage issues may be scary and depressing for someone in an earlier stage. Late stage interventions may also confuse earlier stages who might think they need to be jumping right to doing that stuff earlier than they do.
October 23, 2024
My husband was diagnosed of Parkinson’s Disease a couple of years ago, he had severe fatigue, difficulty with mobility and sleeping. He was placed on Sinemet 3 times daily, which helped but only for a short while. So we decided to try alternative treatment and began on PD-5 protocol , It has made tremendous difference for my husband, he had improved walking balance, muscle strength and he is now very active. His Parkinson’s is totally under control, we got the treatment from binehealthcenter. com. This treatment is a breakthrough for PWP!
February 17, 2025
This book is an exceptional read, providing a wealth of informative content. As someone with a family member affected by Parkinson’s, I found the insights particularly valuable. This book serves as an excellent reference tool, making it indispensable for anyone dealing with Parkinson’s, whether personally or through a loved one. I highly recommend it to anyone in need of comprehensive and accessible information on the topic
November 21, 2024
Informative, but mainly confirmed things I already suspected. It was a little too simplistic in some of the ways it presented information, with a bunch of redundant insets and boxes to fill up space. A decent primer. It would be good to read at/near the time of diagnosis instead of 8 years on.
January 1, 2021
4.0
A good overview that may be even more useful as a reference.
A good overview that may be even more useful as a reference.
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June 10, 2023Very helpful and informative after my mom was diagnosed.
February 12, 2024
Lots of good information and very well organized. I expect it to be a useful reference going forward.
June 6, 2025
Great book. Based on my experience working with PD patients who have DBS therapy, the authors provide just the right amount of content to satisfy the lay reader. In terms of the clinical aspects of the disease, the book is spot on. From medication side effects to alternative forms of speech therapy, the book is highly comprehensive.
On the other hand, the chapter that presents surgical options for PD needs revising, specifically, Deep Brain Stimulation. There is simply more to what the author is presenting, and it could potentially cause surgical candidates to abandon a revolutionary therapy. For example, when the author compares STN to GPi DBS. In my experience, GPI may not be easy to program and requires higher amplitudes to have an effect. Also, the authors mention that STN DBS will have fewer battery changes, which may not be the case. That will depend on the programming parameters, which are extremely variable from patient to patient. Additionally, every neurologist titrates medications differently. Depending on how and what drugs the patient is taking will influence how high the DBS setting will need to be. There are simply too many details missing to properly compare these targets and their potency. Hence, DBS has been around for decades and is constantly evolving with an astounding amount of literature that appears to cause conflicting conclusions. On the other hand, the authors did an amazing job in presenting the procedural aspects of actually getting the DBS therapy.
Interestingly enough, there was a chapter on the microbiome. The microbiome is an evolving area of research in which the bacteria in your intestines have a significant influence on the nervous and immune systems. Additionally, it's no coincidence that before motor symptoms set in for PD, constipation is typically the first sign. Therapy centering on the microbiome is currently under research. Hence, diet can have a profound effect on the disease.
On the other hand, the chapter that presents surgical options for PD needs revising, specifically, Deep Brain Stimulation. There is simply more to what the author is presenting, and it could potentially cause surgical candidates to abandon a revolutionary therapy. For example, when the author compares STN to GPi DBS. In my experience, GPI may not be easy to program and requires higher amplitudes to have an effect. Also, the authors mention that STN DBS will have fewer battery changes, which may not be the case. That will depend on the programming parameters, which are extremely variable from patient to patient. Additionally, every neurologist titrates medications differently. Depending on how and what drugs the patient is taking will influence how high the DBS setting will need to be. There are simply too many details missing to properly compare these targets and their potency. Hence, DBS has been around for decades and is constantly evolving with an astounding amount of literature that appears to cause conflicting conclusions. On the other hand, the authors did an amazing job in presenting the procedural aspects of actually getting the DBS therapy.
Interestingly enough, there was a chapter on the microbiome. The microbiome is an evolving area of research in which the bacteria in your intestines have a significant influence on the nervous and immune systems. Additionally, it's no coincidence that before motor symptoms set in for PD, constipation is typically the first sign. Therapy centering on the microbiome is currently under research. Hence, diet can have a profound effect on the disease.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews