Parkinson's Disease Caring Podcast

At the recent International Movement Disorder and Parkinson's Disease meeting of 2021, exciting research updates were presented. The clinical trials presented included trials of disease modification, therapies for the motor symptoms, and therapies for the non-motor symptoms. Trials with negative outcomes were also presented at this meeting. Dr. Klos discusses highlights of this meeting.
The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information.

Perhaps you and/or your loved one with Parkinson's disease have read about protein intake and possible interactions with dopamine therapy. You may have read articles recommending a diet low in protein if you have Parkinson's disease.
On this episode, I discuss the facts and science behind dietary protein intake and Parkinson's disease. I discuss proper timing of levodopa or dopamine therapy and protein intake. I present some cases from my clinic illustrating these concepts.
As a care partner or caregiver, it is important to be familiar with proper protein intake and timing of medication around protein intake to help your loved one achieve the most from their medication and find stability and consistency in the benefits of their medication dosing.
The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information.

A common complication of Parkinson's disease is off episodes related to levodopa therapy. After many years of taking levodopa therapy, an individual with Parkinson's disease may experience off episodes in which the benefit of a dose of levodopa therapy may fade resulting in the return of Parkinson's disease symptoms. For some patients, the off episodes are mild and non troublesome. However, for most patients, off episodes are troublesome due to discomfort of symptoms or loss of function.
On the show today, learn more about off episodes and possible treatment options. The show will focus on the newest treatment available for off episodes named Kynmobi. Kynmobi is a sublingual film that provides a rapid rescue for patients experiencing off episodes. The medication was FDA approved in May of 2020. Many patients and caregivers are unfamiliar with this treatment option. I will provide you with helpful advice and hints from my clinic experience using this product as well as my experience using this medication in clinical trials.
It is important to consider all treatment options for off episodes and to work with your loved one's healthcare provider in finding the best treatment for their individual needs. This show is not designed to treat individual patients but instead to educate care partners and caregivers about off episodes and a new treatment approved for this problem. Become a more confident and informed care partner or caregiver by listening to the show.

Duopa therapy is an important addition to the treatment options for people with Parkinson's disease. Very few patients and caregivers learn about this therapy from their provider due to lack of experience using the product. Many are reluctant to consider the therapy due to misconceptions about the procedure and maintenance of the pump system.
On this episode, I interview a patient with Parkinson's disease currently using the Duopa system in my clinical practice. He shares insight into his experience to help caregivers understand better what their loved one may go through and what they may expect in helping their loved one with this therapy. JR provides helpful tips for the caregiver beyond just using the Duopa system that I hope will help you. We are thankful for JR's willingness to join us on this podcast.
Please visit pdcaring.com for more information and resources. Thank you for supporting this podcast!

On this episode, Dr. Klos answers your questions regarding Parkinson's disease. Thank you for emailing your questions for today's show.
If you would like to submit questions for a future show, please email them to [email protected].
Thank you for listening to episode #9. If you would like to find more resources for care partners and caregivers for loved ones with PD, please check out www.pdcaring.com.