We are all too familiar with the major motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, the ones that affect our physical movement and function: bradykinesia (slow movements), resting tremor, muscle rigidity, and posture and balance issues. These symptoms are what originally drove most of us to seek a diagnosis and ultimately, to learn how to live with and manage this disease.
But what about the non-motor symptoms, the ones controlled by our autonomic nervous system? How does Parkinson’s affect such things as blood pressure and digestion, along with the other functions of the autonomic nervous system? How can we learn to live with and manage this aspect of the disease too?
Our guest speaker next month is Dr. Abigail Lawler M.D., a board certified neurologist and the Autonomics Director of Inova Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. She will talk with us about the impact of these non-motor symptoms on our quality of life as well as therapeutic strategies that can help, including medical management and other treatment options. (Click on Dr. Lawler’s name above for her full bio.)
- DATE: Wednesday January 3, 2024
- TIME: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- PLACE: VIA ZOOM (link will be sent out the day before the meeting)
- SPEAKER: Dr. Abigail Lawler, M.D., Board Certified Neurologist
- TOPIC: Impact of the Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
About our speaker: Dr. Abigail Lawler is a board-certified neurologist and a fellowship-trained movement disorders specialist. She completed her residency training in neurology at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, where she served as chief resident. She stayed at Georgetown to complete her fellowship in movement and memory disorders. Dr. Lawler specializes in treating people with movement disorders and autonomic conditions.
We will take some time after our speaker leaves for Just-Us Share Time.
Zoom link will be sent out the day before the meeting. Please plan to sign on from a quiet area of your home to preserve the group’s confidentiality. You may sign in 10-15 minutes early if you wish. Dr. Lawler will begin at 1:00. We welcome you to join us even if you are running late. We get it if you are having a slower day!
If you do not receive the Zoom link by 5:00 the day before, please contact me no later than 10:00 a.m. the day of the meeting to be sure I see it in time to get you the link.
An important reminder: Anything anyone talks about or suggests during our meetings is based on personal experience and should not be considered medical advice in any way, shape, or form. No one should make any changes to their individual medical treatment plan without the full knowledge and approval of their medical providers.