Parkinson's Disease Guide for the Newly Diagnosed: Understanding the Disease, Managing Your Symptoms, and Navigating Treatment

This book has definetly helped me with multiple questions. Many other Parkinson patients were happy to browse my book and many ordered their own book.

We got the diagnosis at the end of 2020. Because of Covid we could not be at the clinic together. The doctor did not even ask if there was someone to call when discussing next steps. Of course the person getting the diagnosis heard nothing and so this book was bought. It explained all of our questions and why it would take 3 months before the final diagnosis would be given and what all the other doctor visits were for. It gave us clarity to so many “ symptoms” that were experienced decades before the decline in motor functions were experienced. It was a great first step of learning about the disease in a simple format, expanding with each chapter and answering questions that we had.

This book is a decent introduction to Parkinson's. Like the title says for the newly diagnosed. This book is geared towards people over 55. Not the younger individuals with a Parkinson's diagnosis. But it's a quick read and has information for anyone wanting to learn about whether they need to quit their job after getting a DX (most likely no) and can a person with PD drive, what about social security and more.

It took 4 years, 5 physicians and 8 clinical evaluations before it was confirmed that I had early PD (57). The chaos, confusion, conceitedness and absence of empathy (among some, not all) shown during this difficult and worrisome period of my life stands in marked contrast to the writing, organization, information and concern shown within the pages of this welcome, calming and hopeful little book (113 pp. of text with hardly a word wasted or out of place). LeWitt provides a description of the "disease" (he sides with those wishing to drop the word "disease"), the medications, the role of partners, pointers on employment law, as well as numerous other subjects, but most importantly, a sense of hope for the future. Without ever denying that some will have a very rough time of it, he uses real evidence to highlight and recommend that "optimism" and "positivity" be uppermost in our collective mindset. Most of us with PD will, according to the facts, get along in life - a few will have great difficulty, a few will show no outward symptoms - but the many will manage to live a life that may not be what we anticipated or planned for but will also not be the Hellscape that is often conjured up by the mention of PD. If you are looking for a quick but compelling volume on life with PD, you can do no better.

I bought this book to learn more about taking care of my dad with Parkinson’s. It was very informative and I recommend anyone that is taking care of someone with Parkinson’s to get this book

What a fantastic book and how easy it is to relate to every symptom this wonderful doctor described, I felt as if I was in consult with him in person. I was diagnosed recently but have felt PD since around 10/2021 wish I had gone to a neurologist earlier but glad I’m on meds now that are the only thing that has brought me back to the life I’m used to., so glad these meds are out there for all of us and covered by our insurance. CARBIDOPA & LEVODOPA 25/100 mg are what I take with no discomfort to my easily sensative stomach.

My brother just passed from Parkinson's Disease (listed as the cause of death) and, sadly, my sisters' and I were unaware of the extent of his illness. He just told us a few weeks ago, "Oh, by the way, I have Parkinson's. I was diagnosed some time ago but don't remember when." My brother was a brilliant guy whom, at the time of his death, had at least 41 different medical diagnoses including heart disease, dementia and cancer. He lived a long way away from me but I long to understand the complexities of Parkinson's Disease and how that affected him over the last few years. This book, while brief, was one of the most helpful I have read so far. There is much good information about the symptoms and course of the disease as well as treatments, help for caregivers and suggestions for families and friends. Highly recommend.

Great review of Parkinson's Disease. Emphasis on treatments and advice on living with the disease. Realizing that ease in adapting is needed as there is no cure.

Informative book.

Having been diagnosed with Parkinson's (PD), I have already read most of the mass-maarket books on the subject as well as staying up-to-date with the research on the subject. This easy-to-read book presents information in a way everyone can understand and absorb, from what PD is to the treatments offered and the support PD requires from professionals and family. The writing style is easy to read, with technical terms well explained. It's a fast read, too, letting you get all the information the book has to offer in a few hours. The only caveat I put is the book could be slighlty updated with the latest research (the book was published in 2020) but the author provides links to sites where you can read about the on-going work on PD. A good book to explain PD and what you can do about it. Strongly recommended as an excellent overview book.

Easy to read, good information and very reassuring.