Parkinson’s & Sleep: How to Get Some Damn Rest
04/23/25 • 15 min
They say sleep is the best medicine—but Parkinson’s clearly didn’t get the memo. In this brutally honest episode, I’m talking about the weird, wild, and exhausting world of Parkinson’s and sleep: the midnight leg cramps, the 3 a.m. bathroom runs, the dreams that could win Oscars... and why it’s so hard to get some damn rest.
I’ll walk you through:
- Why sleep is so messed up with Parkinson’s
- What actually helps me (no magic cure—just real, usable stuff)
- What didn’t work (looking at you, sleep tea and weighted blankets)
- And the unexpected mindset shift that helped me the most
Whether you’re sleeping like a rock (for now) or awake counting the ceiling tiles, this episode is for you.
💬 Got a sleep tip that works for you? Share it below—your comment might help someone else finally rest tonight.
⏱️ Chapter Timestamps
0:00 – The Struggle Is Real: Why Sleep & Parkinson’s Don’t Mix
2:35 – Welcome Back + Quick Recap of My Journey
4:10 – The 3 A.M. Circus: Legs, Sweat, Dreams & More
6:55 – My Sleep Used to Be Fine... Until It Wasn’t
9:20 – What’s Helped Me Most (Finally Some Relief)
12:00 – The Power of Routine (Even for Non-Routine People)
14:05 – Cooling Sheets, Stretching & That Magnesium Spray
16:15 – Melatonin, Yes or No?
17:30 – What Didn’t Work: CBD, Weighted Blankets, Sleep Teas
20:10 – The Game-Changer: Acceptance, Not Perfection
23:30 – Let’s Crowdsource This: What’s Helped You Sleep?
👇 What helps YOU sleep with Parkinson’s?
Let’s crowdsource some real solutions 👇
🛏️ Here’s what helped me:
• Magnesium Spray – https://amzn.to/3XYuoyy
• Vitamin D3 – https://amzn.to/4kCRJ2E
• B12 – https://amzn.to/4kyJZ1z
• Light Wake-Up Alarm – https://amzn.to/41MP5zP
• Cooling Sheets – https://amzn.to/3QVu1Ro
• Melatonin (optional) – https://amzn.to/3FNTxWl
💬 I read every comment, and your tip could help someone else sleep better tonight.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly motivation & support: https://bit.ly/3262ymG
▶️ All Episodes Playlist: https://bit.ly/4h27D3y
🎧 Audio Podcast: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2466483.rss
Stay Connected:
YouTube: Youtube.com/@DoingLifeToday
Instagram: @DoingLifeToday
TikTok: @DoingLifeToday
General Inquiries: [email protected]
Booking Requests: [email protected]
Sponsorship Inquiries: [email protected]
Disclaimer:
The information shared in this podcast is based on personal experiences and opinions. I am not a medical professional, and this content should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or lifestyle.
They say sleep is the best medicine—but Parkinson’s clearly didn’t get the memo. In this brutally honest episode, I’m talking about the weird, wild, and exhausting world of Parkinson’s and sleep: the midnight leg cramps, the 3 a.m. bathroom runs, the dreams that could win Oscars... and why it’s so hard to get some damn rest.
I’ll walk you through:
- Why sleep is so messed up with Parkinson’s
- What actually helps me (no magic cure—just real, usable stuff)
- What didn’t work (looking at you, sleep tea and weighted blankets)
- And the unexpected mindset shift that helped me the most
Whether you’re sleeping like a rock (for now) or awake counting the ceiling tiles, this episode is for you.
💬 Got a sleep tip that works for you? Share it below—your comment might help someone else finally rest tonight.
⏱️ Chapter Timestamps
0:00 – The Struggle Is Real: Why Sleep & Parkinson’s Don’t Mix
2:35 – Welcome Back + Quick Recap of My Journey
4:10 – The 3 A.M. Circus: Legs, Sweat, Dreams & More
6:55 – My Sleep Used to Be Fine... Until It Wasn’t
9:20 – What’s Helped Me Most (Finally Some Relief)
12:00 – The Power of Routine (Even for Non-Routine People)
14:05 – Cooling Sheets, Stretching & That Magnesium Spray
16:15 – Melatonin, Yes or No?
17:30 – What Didn’t Work: CBD, Weighted Blankets, Sleep Teas
20:10 – The Game-Changer: Acceptance, Not Perfection
23:30 – Let’s Crowdsource This: What’s Helped You Sleep?
👇 What helps YOU sleep with Parkinson’s?
Let’s crowdsource some real solutions 👇
🛏️ Here’s what helped me:
• Magnesium Spray – https://amzn.to/3XYuoyy
• Vitamin D3 – https://amzn.to/4kCRJ2E
• B12 – https://amzn.to/4kyJZ1z
• Light Wake-Up Alarm – https://amzn.to/41MP5zP
• Cooling Sheets – https://amzn.to/3QVu1Ro
• Melatonin (optional) – https://amzn.to/3FNTxWl
💬 I read every comment, and your tip could help someone else sleep better tonight.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly motivation & support: https://bit.ly/3262ymG
▶️ All Episodes Playlist: https://bit.ly/4h27D3y
🎧 Audio Podcast: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2466483.rss
Stay Connected:
YouTube: Youtube.com/@DoingLifeToday
Instagram: @DoingLifeToday
TikTok: @DoingLifeToday
General Inquiries: [email protected]
Booking Requests: [email protected]
Sponsorship Inquiries: [email protected]
Disclaimer:
The information shared in this podcast is based on personal experiences and opinions. I am not a medical professional, and this content should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or lifestyle.
Previous Episode
How to Build the BEST Parkinson’s Healthcare Team
In this episode of Living with Parkinson’s: The Good, The Bad, and The Reality, Bryce breaks down how to build a Parkinson’s healthcare team that actually supports you. He shares lessons from his 15+ year journey navigating doctors, specialists, therapists, and the occasional “you look fine” comment.
From your neurologist to your pharmacist—and even the front desk person who actually listens—Bryce explains who matters, why they matter, and how to advocate for yourself when you feel dismissed or overwhelmed. If you’ve ever felt like you’re managing Parkinson’s alone or unsure who should be in your corner, this is the episode that puts the power back in your hands.
What Listeners Are Saying:
“This helped me realize I need a team—not just a doctor.”“Thank you for saying what so many of us are afraid to ask.”
“I didn’t know where to start. This gave me a roadmap.”
🎧 Listen to all episodes:
https://podcast.dolifetoday.com
📺 Watch the video series on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/4h27D3y
🔔 Subscribe & follow:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doinglifetoday
Instagram: @doinglifetoday
📌 Chapter Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:30 – Why you need more than just a neurologist
03:50 – The power of a great movement disorder specialist
06:10 – Building trust with your pharmacist
09:15 – Speech, physio & occupational therapy: when and why
13:30 – Mental health matters: don’t skip this part
17:00 – What Bryce’s team looks like today
20:15 – Questions to ask your doctor (that they should be able to answer)
24:00 – Final thoughts: You’re the captain of the team
💥 Want more than just episodes?
Join The Inner Circle for exclusive perks:
• Monthly live Zoom hangouts with Bryce
• Early access & bonus content
• Priority replies + behind-the-scenes moments
⚡ Limited availability – join now!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCovLIEXUM5XKfUk8c8vbQzw/join
Hashtags:
#ParkinsonsPodcast #ParkinsonsHealthcareTeam #LivingWithParkinsons #ParkinsonsSupport #ChronicIllnessAdvocacy #DoingLifeToday #ParkinsonsJourney #BrycePerry
Stay Connected:
YouTube: Youtube.com/@DoingLifeToday
Instagram: @DoingLifeToday
TikTok: @DoingLifeToday
General Inquiries: [email protected]
Booking Requests: [email protected]
Sponsorship Inquiries: [email protected]
Disclaimer:
The information shared in this podcast is based on personal experiences and opinions. I am not a medical professional, and this content should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or lifestyle.
Living with Parkinson’s - Parkinson’s & Sleep: How to Get Some Damn Rest
Transcript
You know what's wild? They say that sleep is the best medicine, but clearly Parkinson's did not get that memo. Falling asleep? Hard. Staying asleep? Forget it. Don't even get me started on 3 a .m. bathroom breaks, cramping legs, and dreams that feel like action movies. Well, if you've ever just stared at the ceiling at 3 o'clock in the morning thinking, what the hell is going on with my body? Well, guess what? You're not alone, and that's what we're gonna talk about t
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/living-with-parkinsons-682919/parkinsons-and-sleep-how-to-get-some-damn-rest-90116799"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to parkinson’s & sleep: how to get some damn rest on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy