Archive for January, 2009

Jan 30 2009

Father and Son

What follows is truly an amazing story about the power of  family systems and the connection between a father and son. It is a testament to the truth that Parkinson’s can inspire and motivate in ways that we could have never imagined or anticipated.  

Jeff Meyers wrote the following story to me in an e mail last week. He gave me permission to share it with everyone.  Get ready to be inspired. I was.  

What’s unique about my story is that my father divorced my mother when I was a very young child and I never saw or heard from him again. I knew nothing about the man.

At age 54 I decided that I wanted to do some volunteering and, being quite familiar with with computers, html, and content editing and writing, I came across an opportunity at the Parkinson’s disease Association of San Diego to update and maintain their website. I continued building the site for 2 years, at which time the executive director offered me a full-time position. Up until I came on the scene, their website had generated a mere $1421 in income. Since being hired 4 years ago, the pdasd.org site, the Tulip Tribute Funds site, and our Annual 5K Parkinson’s Walk & Fun Run site (both of which I created) have generated over $300,000 in income.

I also video taped our Parkinson’s educational seminars and, while viewing a live presentation through the video camera, I noticed that 2 of the presenters made reference to a Dr. Harold Russell Meyers, M.D. during their presentations. After the event I followed up with the two neurosurgeons, one of whom was very familiar with my father’s work. I did some research online and that’s how I found out who my dad was. My father did the pioneering work in the development of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery (DBS). There was never any mention of him in our family all the years while I was growing up.

Now, isn’t that an incredible story! Who would ever have imagined that I would be “connected” to Parkinson’s–and my father–through this series of events? Life…what a mystery!

When I’d finished the Tulip Tribute Funds website, I told my only sister, who I had just recently heard from in over 40 years since the breakup of the family (her choice) and she revealed to me that she was the only child who maintained any contact with my dad in all the years of separation. Interestingly, she is the only child who ever finished college; in fact she earned 2 doctorates at McGill University in Montreal. She was the one who added the testimonial about Dr. Meyers on the Tulip Tribute Funds site. Hopefully, he’s beaming with pride from somewhere “above.”

It seems that my dad had received 32 honorary doctorate degrees, was a Seniors Olympics Champion sprinter through the age of 84, hung out with the likes of Alan Watts, Buckminster Fuller, S.I. Hayakawa, Alfred Korzybski and many other “high-level” intellectuals of his time. He had achieved many other professional accomplishments throughout his life, but being a father to his 6 children was not one of them. I am very blessed because I have a wonderful son who is so dear to my heart, and we are “best of buds” as the saying goes. Well, such are the possible “hands” one is dealt in life!

At any rate, here is where we are today…all of us together…fighting the “good fight” to find a cure for PD! I absolutely love the people I’m working with, and to add you to the mix…what a blessing!

Jeff Meyers

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

No responses yet

Jan 29 2009

Problem Walking?

Question:

My Parkinson has been hovering for months now.  I have rather rapidly had to have help walking.    So now my devoted wife Liz has to get me started by the old Army method “hut one hut two.”
 
I do have an appointment Feb. 19 with my neurologist.  He has had the medicines I’ve been taking gradually phased out. Then on Feb. 19 he will introduce my system to a new and different drug which has some notable success.

My problem is how do I stand (e.g. survive) till then?  Sinemet is what I have to rely on till then.  (A urologist has me on two drugs to confine urology problems.  So far this seems to be satisfactory)

I will appreciate your suggested road to nirvana.  My wonderful wife is 81 years old and in July I will catch her.

Response:
I have several suggestions for you to consider, though I am not absolutely clear what symptom precisely you want help with. I understand walking is a problem, so let me focus on that symptom.
 
Suggestion Set One:
Do you have a tennis ball or a rubber ball of any type? When you walk, bounce the ball just like you did when you were a boy, Bounce the ball on the ground as you walk. If that doesn’t help – throw it into the air as you walk. 


There is also a plastic ball which you find at fairs which has a rubbery string or chain that is attached to the ball itself. You put the rubbery string around your hand and throw the ball toward the ground as you walk (though the ball does not touch the ground). It is great fun – and it helps mobility greatly. (This brilliant suggestions is inspired by Hans from Holland.) Instead of walking with a cane or walker (where people perceive there is an old person attempting to walk) you are bouncing a ball like a child (so people perceive a youthful energy – and so do you!). 

 

Play music while you walk and your mobility will improve. Listen with an ipod. Your wife is helping you with the music of her marching orders, but she can’t sing every step you walk (unless she has tireless vocal cords). Listening to music while you walk is also a great help, especially music that has a beat to it. 
 
Suggestion Set Two:
Nitendo Wii. Ever heard of it? Young people know about it. You play games like tennis which require you to exercise your balance. Buy a wii game and try it out. You can always purchase it on a 30 day warranty so if it doesn’t work for you, just return it. Play a game (whatever you are called to play) every day, Have fun. Watch your mobility improve. 
 
Suggestion Set Three:
Natural herbs can be a huge benefit for the problem you describe. I will be posting an interview with a herbalist next week (Andrew Bentley) which you should find intriguing. Andrew discusses various natural herbs which are very helpful for the problem you describe. He gets great results helping peopkle with parkinsons using herbs I have never heard about before. Membership costs a token $1 for the first 30 days. Check out the interview to be posted next week. The signup page is:
 
http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.org
 
Hopefully, three times is a charm and one of these ideas will be a winner for you,
 
All the best,
 
Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery 
http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com  
© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery
   

No responses yet

Jan 28 2009

Drug Interactions and Drug Side Effects

Published by under medications

Question:

Are there any side effects from Parkinson’s medicine? My medicine is inderal 10mg and pacitane 2 mg, three times a day. Now my cardiogram is not perfect and for six months selgin 5 mg. I don’t get a good sleep at night. My doctor suggested that I stop selgin.                         
                                        
Response:

I am not a medical doctor, so I am not qualified to suggest changes to any medications that have been prescribed by your doctor. I can speak to your question about side effects.

Are there any side effects from Parkinson’s medications? Yes. There are many. And, the true challenge of it all is that many of the side effects are the same as the symptoms of Parkinson’s when a person does not take medications.

Keep in mind that when you use the term “medication” it really embraces anything we put into our bodies including food, drink, supplements, herbs, lotions, makeup, soaps, shampoos – the whole can of worms so to speak.

If you want to know which side effects are associated with the medications you are taking, go to your pharmacist and ask for the drug sheet which lists all side effects. You may be surprised to discover how long the list can be for some Parkinson’s medications.

There are further, potentially serious complication. Drugs you are taking may interact with one another. When we take more than one drug, there is a possibility that the effect of taking more than one drug is causing additional, unanticipated and potentially life threatening symptoms.

I am told by Randy Mentzer who is a pharmacist and certified nutritional counselor that there is a very good chance of drug interactions when you take three medications and a 100% chance of interactions when you take five or more medications.

It is a good idea for people taking multiple medications to have analysis done by someone like Randy who can identify problems and recommend alternatives you can consider in consultation with your doctor.

The truth is that it is a very complicated area. It is thus very important that you involve specialists that know about drugs who can analyze your full health history (which includes a consideration of foods you eat, supplements you take and substances you put on your body).

The body is a very sensitive, living entity. When we ingest something that is harmful to our health, we get clear signals through symptoms that it is time to make some changes. As you already know, the fact you are unable to sleep is a signal your body needs something it is not getting or is getting something it does not need.

Drugs can also deplete the minerals and vitamins our bodies need to produce energy, so it may be important to take additional supplements to counterbalance  the depletions. People train for years and years to have the skills to help out with such problems. Take advantage of their skills. Find someone like Randy who can do a thorough and individual analysis for you.  

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery

No responses yet

Jan 27 2009

Explain Meditation

Published by under Meditation

EVENT:  Meditation and Healing Parkinsons
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, January 28th at 1:00pm Pacific
FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast — it’s your choice)
TO ATTEND THIS EVENT, CLICK THIS LINK NOW…
http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=5722824

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Jan 27 2009

Injury to the Head

Published by under injury to the head

Question:

A limited type of Chiropractic care called Upper cervical chiropractic care claims they may be able to cure Parkinson’s Disease “if” you have had head trauma. Your neck is twisted because of  it and you develop Parkinson’s years later.

They claim-along with a study, that the nerves from the trunk to the brain are being pinched off, causing them to atrophy and then years later the tremors start. Ever here of this?

Are their claims valid. Is this one way of developing Parkinsons?

Response:

The consensus among medical researchers is that traumas to the head can be one causal factor that creates the symptoms of Parkinson’s. I think of this factor as cellular damage.

Keep in mind that multiple factors are at play for most people. Traumas to the head may constitute one among other confounding factors. It is a mistake to assume there is a single factor that accounts for any particular set of symptoms.

In my opinion, the body’s reaction to the trauma can take many forms. You describe one such form: Twisting in the neck resulting in pinched nerves. Sometimes the source of the damage is rooted in the sacrum which lies at the bottom of the spine. Constrictions in the spine are not necessarily limited to problems with neck constrictions. There can also be direct damage to cells in the brain itself.

Many chiropractors are being trained in craniosacral therapy which address such problems in a holistic  fashion. Our own Parkinsons Recovery study of craniosacral work with people who have the symptoms of Parkinsons certainly reveals that the gentle energy work with the craniosacral system helps to relieve symptoms. 

As for a “cure,” I have not identified any single treatment that reverses symptoms entirely nor do I expect to find a “cure” in the course of my research. Recovery requires a comprehensive intervention that embraces a variety of treatments and modalities including diet, exercise, stress reduction and others.

The good news is that cells do rejuvenate. New neural networks can be created by the body. The big picture is that the body knows how to heal itself, even when there has been a physical blow to the body.

Rejuvenation does not happen quickly, but it can and does happen when the body is given the proper support and nourishment.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery

No responses yet

Jan 25 2009

Pain in the Thigh. Pain in the Groin

Published by under groin pain,pain

Question:

My husband has been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease 7 years ago.  He is 80 years old. His latest symptoms are: burning and pain around the groin area, thighs and sometimes backside. The only way to make him comfortable is by taking Neurontin and Darvocet.  Confusion is then increased. Any suggestions?

Ready to give up,

Jeannette

Response:

First, let me give my customary warning: I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to diagnose and prescribe. My response is founded on my research findings and should be taken to a medical doctor for further discussion and evaluation.

My first reaction to the description of symptoms is that the pain may be caused by lymph that is backed up and clogged around the groin area. The only way to move lymph out of the body is through exercise.

Does your husband get exercise every day?  I am guessing not.

What if exercising is too painful for him at this point?  It may be painful at the beginning, but if my guess is on target, the pain will subside when he begins to move. A great technique for moving lympth is to jump on a trampoline. Everyone should do it. You can purchase small ones for home use for $30-$40 in the U.S.

Another possibility is for him to use a body inverter which he can use to shift the body so that his head is lower than the feet. There are little valves throughout the lymph system that prevent the lymph from slipping back down, so when you place the body upside down, the lymph moves up and out. There is no organ that pumps the lump as there is for blood (which of course is the heart).

A total inversion would probably be unwise, but  positioning the body so that the head is lower than the feet can be helpful. Various health care practitioners might have such equipment you can experiment with. If he has other health problems, this idea might be unwise, so check it out with his doctor. 

The challenge for him is likely that the lymph in his body is a thick mucuous. Hydrating his body will be a great asset. Dr. John Coleman, ND,  recommends that everyone with Parkinsons hydrate their body using a homeopath remedy called the Aquas (www.aquas.us). The thirst mechanism for all older persons shorts out, so the body needs a backup signalling system that will helo the body tell him when to drink. At a minimum he should drink a lot of water.

My guess is that the more he can move his body, the more relief he will get from the pain. You of course might also want to examine very carefully the side effects of any medications he takes. This can also be a confounding factor which can directly contribute to the problem he is experiencing.

Finally, the sentence jumps out at me

Ready to give up.

I note that you do not say whether you are ready to give up or he is ready to give up. If he is ready to throw in the towel, then I would say to you – honor his wishes. A time comes for everyone when a decision is made to begin shutting down the body. Is this his time? If so, he will not move or exercise or do anything of the things necessary to relieve the pain.

Are you ready to give up? Believe me, this is totally understandable. It is so difficult to take care of someone you  love who is ill. If you are ready to give up, it is time for you to take a break from care taking. 

Take a short vacation with your friends. Get away. No one can take someone who is ill 100% of the time. Ill people take the energy away from healthy people. That is the natural process of what happens.

You need to get away to rejevenate yourself. This sounds counterintuitive, but by taking care of yourself, you are actually able to do a much better job of taking care of him.

My guess about the cause of the pain may be wrong and you will have to move to another possibilty, but I can  guarantee you that when he moves his body, he will feel better. It is the one surefire suggestion I can offer that I know will yield relief.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery  

© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery

One response so far

Jan 24 2009

Medication Side Effects and Parkinson’s Disease

Question:

I have been diagnosed with Parkinsons almost four years ago. My main symptom is tremor. Some days are better than others. I am not taking any medications.

Every year we go to Hippocrates Health institute for detox. At home I am on almost vegeterian diet. I drink green juices, algae as well as taking enzymes and whole food supplements. I walk every day 3 -4 miles, do yoga and gentle therapies as feldenkrais. Over the years my condition has not changed much.

As I understand medications don’t really treat the disease. Am i doing the right thing by not taking any medications?

Response:

One man who had been recently diagnosed with Parkinsons told me his neurologist recommended that he hold off taking medications until the time comes (if it does) that you have to have something. Why did his neurologist recommend this cautious approach?

The levodpa medication for Parkinson’s works miracles for some people for a short period of time. Some people tell me the honeymoon lasted 6 months (or less). Others say the honeymoon lasted longer – 2 years or even more.

It is inevitable however that the honeymoon will come to an end and the drug will start to become less and less effective. Usually this means that a neurologist or general practitioner will prescribe larger and larger doses for you to take over time. Most people eventually have to take doses more frequently.

The “on” times (when you feel good) become shorter and shorter. This confound of the medication is typically addressed by prescriptions from neurologists who usually prescribe larger and/or more frequent doses during the day.

As you state, the medications do not address the underlying causes of the condition. They only address the symptoms.  

The unfortunate consequence is that more and more of the drug circulates throughout the body. The result is dyskinesia (involuntary muscle gyrations and jerking). This symptom is not the direct consequence of Parkinson’s per se. It is a side effect of the medications.  

Let me stress that some people have told me that the medications have given them their life back. They have been able to begin functioning and, in some cases, reduce their medications. So, any outcome is possible.

Clearly, there is no standard operating procedure for anyone who is diagnosed with the symptoms of Parkinson’s. What works for you may flop for someone else. Some people start on  medications and it does absolutely nothing for them. Others get sick from the side effects. Still others are ready to walk on water. Everybody is different.   

Are up doing the right thing by not taking medications at this time? By your own report, the answer has to be yes! Let me first qualify my answer by reminding you that I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to advise you specifically about medications or individual treatments. My approach is strictly from a research perspective. 

Why do I think you are doing the right thing by not taking medications at this time? You are not getting worse. Your symptoms have been stable for four years. The drug studies follow the “progression” of Parkinsons of people who are on medications. Findings across studies are consistent. Studies report an average gradual decline of functions of approximately 3-4% a year.

This means that relative to people who have elected to take medications, you are on average 12-16% better off today than had you begun taking medications 4 years. 

Let me stress this is an average. The variation in symptoms across studies is very large.  

I am continually generating alternatives for people to experiment with which involve various herbs, supplements or or natural remedies. Why?

Such alternatives tend to have fewer side effects than levodopa and some of the other prescription drugs. Some of these herbs and supplements enhance the effectiveness of the medication, making it possible to take less over time (rather than more).  Everybody is different. 

Your recovery program is solid. It is consistent with what other people tell me gives consistent relief from their symptoms.  The challenge now is to dig deeper to find the underlying cause of your symptoms so that you can shift from “no change” to “positive improvement.”  

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery

No responses yet

Jan 23 2009

Depression Help

Published by under depression help

Question:

I am desperately depressed. What can I do about it?

Response:

This is a truly challenging place to find yourself.
It is as if nothing can pull you out of the depths of
despair. There is a drag on all motivation to do anything
of any substance. Nothing you do makes a difference.
Clearly, hormonal imbalances are taking their toll.

The depression can be so deep and penetrating that
it is nearly impossible to take any action to reverse it.
Even making an appointment with a health care provider
takes up too much energy. The negative thought form
that emerges is:

It won’t make any difference anyway, so why bother?

It is a place of despair where all you can think about
is going to sleep so you are not haunted by the black
void of nothingness and immobility.

Have I described the feel adequately? I had never
personally experienced depression until a few years
ago when it struck out of the blue. I was sucked in
by the negative drain of energy which feels impossible
to deflect. 

I have pondered what might be a constructive answer
for several weeks. Three simple possibilities are offered.

First, buy a seasonal affective disorder light. Use
it every day. Drag yourself to the computer and order
one online today.

Second, purchase a vitamin supplement of vitamin D3.
Please note – this is D3, not a cpmposite vitamin D
supplement (which can include other forms of vitamin D).

Third, if there is sunlight, bask in it. You do not need
to take D3 if you are able to get sufficient exposure to
sunshine.

These are my simple suggestions. You can pull these things
off even in a state of deep depression. They will help
pull you out of the darkness.

Do it and you will see a gradual reawakening to the sweetness
of life.
 
Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery    

© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery

No responses yet

Jan 23 2009

Total Recovery from Parkinson’s

Question:

In your travels you have ever met an individual who has “totally recovered from Parkinsons Disease”?

Response:

I am not quite sure what it would mean to be “totally recovered” from Parkinson’s. I do know people who are symptom free.

John Coleman, a naturopath doctor, is symptom free today. He does not describe himself as “fully recovered” and regularly adheres to his own health program. He sees recovery as a life time process which has
no definitive ending point. The process ends when we die.

Nathan is also symptom free after engaging in a very focused two year program of recovery. I have interviewed both individuals. You can hear their interviews on the Parkinsons Recovery member website. Their stories of recovery are both fascinating and very different from one another.

 John Coleman reports on evidence of 5 other people he has worked with who are symptom free today.

Many people I talk with are holding steady (i,e. not getting worse). An impressive body of evidence comes from people who are getting steady relief from their symptoms. In other words, instead of getting worse, they are getting better little by little.

If anyone reading this falls into the category of symptom free, please contact me. I would love to interview you!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery

No responses yet

Jan 22 2009

Meditation and Healing

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