In this episode, Jamie talks to Sara Whittingham, an anesthesiologist, Air Force veteran and mother of 2 diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease. They discuss her journey, from noticing symptoms like a tremor in her arm to her diagnosis in November 2020.

Before diagnosis, Sara was an active athlete, participating in triathlons and Ironman races when she wasn't being deployed overseas. After diagnosis, Sara thought her triathlon days were over until she got an opportunity to participate in a cycling study for Parkinson's that ultimately turned things around for her.

Sara recounts how riding a Peloton regularly as part of a research study at The Cleveland Clinic put her on a trajectory that ultimately culminated in her crossing the finish line at Ironman World Championships in Kona Hawaii in October of 2023.

In this episode, Jamie has a conversation with Joe Barrett, a fellow ultra-endurance athlete from New Jersey who also has Parkinson’s disease. They became friends last fall when Jamie saw a post from Joe about how he had attempted to run the Moab 240, one of the toughest ultra-distance running events in the world. Though they have never met in person, Joe and Jamie share a lot of commonalities that are highlighted in this conversation.

Both Jamie and Joe have Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD) and share a passion for extreme endurance challenges like Ironman, and ultra-marathon events. In this conversation, they discuss their experiences participating in these events. They talk about the mental challenges they faced during these events and the importance of positive mindset and perseverance. Joe highlights the importance of a positive mindset, supportive friends, and finding the right doctor to help navigate the challenges of living with Parkinson's disease as a young active person.

Joe expresses his determination to face challenges head-on, both in his running endeavors and in dealing with Parkinson's disease. He believes in the power of mindset and the importance of perseverance in overcoming obstacles.

Despite their condition, both Jamie and Joe maintain an active lifestyle and a positive attitude towards managing their YOPD.

Mentioned in the episode: UCAN Nutrition and Hydration

In this episode, Jamie has an illuminating conversation with Dr. Rodolfo Savica, who is professor of neurology and epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. In his clinical practice, Dr. Savica specializes in movement disorders, particularly Young Onset Parkinson's disease (which is also called Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease).

Dr. Savica explains how he became interested in this field after encountering a patient with young onset Parkinson's who lacked resources and support. He highlights the main differences between young onset and late onset Parkinson's, emphasizing that the brains of young onset patients do not have the aging-related damage seen in late onset patients. He also discusses the challenges in defining and understanding the various conditions within the umbrella term "Parkinson's disease."

Regarding treatment, Dr. Savica explains that historically there was a hesitation to start medications aggressively in young onset patients due to concerns about complications. However, current data do not support this approach, and he advocates for individualized treatment based on each patient's needs and responses. He emphasizes the importance of optimizing medication dosages and timing to minimize off times and improve quality of life. The discussion highlights the need for a shift in the approach to treating young onset Parkinson's, emphasizing individualized care and addressing the specific challenges faced by this patient population.

The episode also includes a lengthy discussion on lifestyle, including the importance of exercise for Parkinson's disease. Dr Savica emphasizes that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, five times a week, is the best treatment to delay the progression of the disease.

The conversation concludes with a discussion about the need for further research on specific subtypes of Parkinson's disease, and the significance of collaboration between patients, experts, and policymakers to advance understanding and treatment of the condition.