Hosts Larry and Rebecca Gifford are preparing for Larry’s DBS surgery scheduled for October 24, 2023. During the evaluation for DBS surgery. Larry needed to completely go off meds for at least 12 hours. The medical team tests motor symptoms while OFF levodopa and then after taking a dosage and waiting forty minutes repeat the tests. Evaluators were looking for a 40% or more difference in my motor symptoms from OFF to ON. It was truly revelatory to see just how much levodopa, the medication commonly used for Parkinson’s, impacts daily life.

MAIL Larry and Rebecca: ParkinsonsPod@curiouscast.ca

LEAVE US A MESSAGE: Have a topic or questions that you would like Larry & Rebecca to address on a future episode? We would love you to click here and leave a message  https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons

WATCH: Here is a link to see a comparison of Larry ON Levodopa and OFF levodopa

Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford 

Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod

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Instagram: @parkinsonspod

Thanks to Curiouscast

Dila Velazquez – Story Producer

Greg Schott – Sound Design

Our Presenting Partner is Parkinson Canada. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada.

Thanks also to   

PD Avengers – We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us. www.pdavengers.com

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Larry Gifford When Life GIves You Parkinson's Podcast

Larry Gifford has Parkinson’s disease and he wants to talk about it. When Life Gives You Parkinson’s chronicles Larry’s journey following diagnosis at age 45, but he knows he’s only part of the story. The podcast gives voice to the fascinating people that make up the Parkinson’s community and beyond — his wife and partner in Parkinson's Rebecca co-hosts the podcast.They approach life with PD with humour and heart to heart conversations. Along the way they introduce other PwP, care partners, advocates, researchers and healthcare providers. Through these interviews, the podcast informs and inspires others to share their own stories revealing the challenges and growth offered by the Parkinson’s journey.