The lessons in pain

Richard Thompson describes his experience managing a mild case of Parkinson’s disease and the resulting physical pain.

Thompson reports that doctors in Trinidad and the United States attribute his intense nerve pain in his legs and back to the progression of the disease. He notes that as Parkinson's advances, patients may experience stiffness, mobility issues, and nerve pain that magnifies previous injuries.

To manage the condition, Thompson has used exercise to help generate dopamine and has consulted doctors regarding treatment options. These options include deep brain surgery, stem-cell-derived dopamine neuron transplantation, and MRI-guided focused ultrasound. His medical providers have suggested increasing dopamine levels and using pain management to reduce his continuous pain.