First Diagnosis, Orthostatic Hypotension, and More: Q and A with Dr. Aaron Haug

Learn more about Parkinson's and find support: https://dpf.org In this webinar, movement disorder specialist Dr. Aaron Haug joins Connie Carpenter Phinney, Gail Gitin, and Pat Donahoo for an honest conversation about life with Parkinson's. In this Care Partner Meetup, they cover what doctors should and shouldn't say at diagnosis, when to start medication, how to handle falls and blood pressure drops, and what happens when a diagnosis shifts to something more serious like PSP or Lewy body dementia. Dr. Haug offers practical advice on symptom monitoring without letting it take over your life, while the care partners share hard-won wisdom about what families really need at every stage. Explore our resources for Parkinson's care partners and sign up for our free care partner training program here: https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/a-... Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson’s community: https://dpf.org/newsletter-signup 00:00 – Intro and initial discussion on Parkinson's diagnosis. 01:56 – Using the "Every Victory Counts" manual as a vetted resource. 03:02 – Navigating patient portals and communicating with your care team. 04:10 – The importance of understanding Parkinson's as a long, slow-moving disease. 06:05 – Personal experiences: Building a support team and finding community. 08:08 – Managing the "subtleties" of symptoms and maintaining hope. 10:41 – The role of the care partner in the doctor's office. 11:58 – Level-setting and identifying priority concerns during visits. 15:01 – Distinguishing between normal emotions, grief, and clinical depression. 19:08 – Deciding when to start medication (Levodopa) and addressing concerns. 21:00 – Monitoring Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (NOH) and low blood pressure. 25:56 – Addressing the fear of falling and navigating advanced stages. 28:09 – Discussing timelines and prognosis with an experienced clinician. 30:17 – Communicating with family, children, and grandchildren. 36:40 – The role of palliative care in alleviating suffering at any stage. 41:14 – Advanced therapies: DBS, focused ultrasound, and pump therapies. 44:11 – Understanding "Parkinson's Plus" conditions (PSP, MSA) and shifting diagnoses. 50:00 – Closing thoughts: The value of support groups and ambassadors.