One year ago, I finally felt relief.
Back in 2020, I started noticing occasional tremors and muscle stiffness. At first, I brushed it off, figured it was nothing. But the symptoms became more persistent. I started getting concerned and decided to see a specialist.
One visit turned into many. Specialist after specialist, no one could figure out what was going on. My symptoms weren’t always consistent, and I had other overlapping neurological issues, so most doctors chalked it up to psychological problems, but I knew it was more than that.
After seeing five neurologists, including three movement disorder specialists, I finally got the answer: Parkinson’s disease. I was only 45 years old.
Getting the diagnosis brought bittersweet comfort. After years of confusion, I finally knew what I was facing, but that clarity was the beginning of a much bigger challenge.
Rigidity and dystonia had a major impact on my daily life and ability to work. Fortunately, remote work during the pandemic made it possible for me to stay employed. Once I started treatment, everything changed. It was like flipping a switch—night and day. I could function again.
Being tech- and data-savvy, I started searching for tools to help me manage Parkinson’s more effectively. That’s when I discovered Rune Labs’ StrivePD. I liked how easy it was to use. StrivePD helped me track symptoms and patterns throughout the day.
The real game-changer came when I started using StrivePD Guardian in March.
StrivePD Guardian offers something that’s hard to find: personalized insights from my data and real-time coaching. Getting in to see a neurologist can take months, sometimes even a year. I needed something to help me make those infrequent visits count even more.
It goes beyond just data summaries, but provides concrete actions specific to me that help me manage day-to-day life. I also have access to one-on-one coaching sessions that help me interpret trends and changes in my symptoms. After my first coaching session, I had a personalized report that helped guide my clinical visit. I felt so much more prepared going into my doctor’s visit – I had clear data and priorities to discuss with my neurologist.
When I showed my neurologist the StrivePD Guardian reports, she was able to use that data and everything I told during the visit to adjust my medication. A clinical visit only gives doctors a quick snapshot of what I’m experiencing. StrivePD Guardian gives me a full picture, personalized to me.
What I appreciate is how comprehensive StrivePD Guardian is. Though tracking tremors is really important to me, the tool also monitors mood, exercise, and other non-motor symptoms that affect my day-to-day. It’s like having a personalized dashboard for my health.
As a husband and a father, this gives our whole family peace of mind. My wife appreciates that I can walk into an appointment with organized, real data. No more scrambling with handwritten notes. I feel more confident and in control during every visit.
I’ve also found a community of others with young-onset PD. Even though Parkinson’s is so different for every person, through shared experiences, I’ve found support, validation, and hope.
It took me four years to get a diagnosis. But now I have clarity, tools that work, and a support system that helps me move forward. I’ve even done genetic testing to contribute to research because the more we all participate, the closer we get to a cure.
Managing Parkinson’s is tough, but StrivePD Guardian helps me stay grounded. I can track my workouts, stay accountable, and see how different activities affect my symptoms. Without it, I wouldn’t have the quality of life I have today. Thanks to StrivePD Guardian, I finally feel like I’m not just reacting to my condition, but taking control of it.
