Natural Options to Reverse Parkinsons Symptoms

Month: September 2009

Inspired to Create with Parkinsons

Rose gave me permission to post her inspired to create with Parkinsons account that I have posted below.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

I have been a songwriter for about 12 years. My Parkinson’s was diagnosed in Feb of 2009, however, my first symptoms were in Sept/Oct 2006. At that time, my songwriting kicked into a very high gear. Incredible hooks were just there. I began pursuing the craft like I have never done before. Going to Nashville every quarter to pitch my songs, attending every possible local songwriting event in AZ, networking like never before and writing some pretty cool music.

My husband was diagnosed with 4th stage small cell prostate cancer in Jan 2006. I was his 24/7 caregiver along with holding down a full time project manager job. I believe it was the stress I was experiencing at that time in my life that kicked off the Parkinsons. In October 2006, we moved to Columbia, SC to give my husband relief from the heat in AZ. He passed in Feb 2007. Now, here it is, almost Oct 2009. I am in the process of obtaining disability as my speech is very rapid and slurred, and impairs my ability to hold meetings via the phone or in person. There is also some seizures of the hands and there are days when the walking is a shuffle. Anyway, I am going to move back to Nashville, TN and write music full time.

The tremendous ‘push’ I gave to the music back in 2006 has paid off as I was  inspired to create with Parkinsons. I have my first cut of a song I co wrote with a Nashville writer. This is a major event for any songwriter. The CD is scheduled to be released in October of this year. I have also continued to slowly climb my way up this very high and steep mountain and am writing with writers that have major cuts. And let me tell you, talk about a fine line between genius and insanity.. these incredibly talented people are there..and damn, I fit in amazingly well..kind of scary really.

I feel so at peace with this decision. The finances will be tight, but hey, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are pretty tasty! I am driving to Nashville next weekend to pick out a rental home. As I pack up from my rental home here in Columbia, SC, I find myself purging so much stuff…the local Goodwill people wave as I drive up and the shredder is working OT. It’s almost like a cleansing of the soul. You know what I mean?

It was meant to be. My influence is my mother (who lives with me and is excited to be going back to Nashville). She was a songwriter, although she did not have a cut, she always made sure we had music in our lives. I learned accordion, self taught myself guitar and piano. In fact, your most recent article on drumming hit home as well. I was a professional drummer for many years! I found myself tapping out the paradiddles after I read your article the other night. It was soothing to the brain.

I find your articles most refreshing in that they hit home. I believe I was always ‘wired internally’ for Parkinson’s. Always needed less sleep than others, always about ’12 degrees off center’, always the ‘weird kid’, always not just thinking outside the box, but on some days ‘destroying the box’! It just found its way to the surface this year.

I continue with my challenges, but hey, it sure as heck beats the alternative.

Thank you for ALL that you do. You are truly an inspiration!!

A Parkie and proud of it!

Rose

I Never Saw It Coming

I never saw it coming.
My life’s been rearranged.
So altered, not original,
I’ll never be the same.

The breath I breathe reduced,
The functions that I had,
the limitations place on me,
sometimes, it makes me sad.

I struggle almost every day
to do those basic things.
Can never plan what I’ll do next,
not sure what next, life brings.

My heart still has the want to…
My head might misdirect,
but I get up, keep going.
My feelings I protect.

I’m not the kind to give up.
I’m not the kind to quit.
Sometimes, I’m very mobile.
Sometimes, I have to sit.

So, if your body’s healthy,
your mind is good and strong,
today’s the day, give life your all,
tomorrow, it could be gone.

Kenneth Allen Patrick
I Never Saw It Coming

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Dopamine and Parkinson’s Disease

 

You do not believe that dopamine and Parkinson’s disease are factors?

Do you not believe that there is physical damage to the part of the brain that produces Dopamine?

Do you not believe that the damage has been verified by examining brain tissue from deceased Parkinson’s patients?

“The body is not broken. The body is not diseased. It is simply out of balance”

Is the brain not part of the body? Is the brain just “out of balance”?

Dennis

Thanks so much for your e mail and your question. I know many people think the same way you think.

I am not a medical doctor. I am a researcher. I find that the Road to Recovery involves examining our thinking about “disease.” – any disease. In this case of course it is Parkinson’s Disease. If we focus on the “disease,” we are holding very negative thoughts about what is happening by thinking:

“My body is broken.”

Since thoughts can manifest anything our heart desires, holding this thought will insure that our body will forever remain broken.

What percent of the body is “broken” in the case of Parkinson’s? I assure you that answer varies widely across persons. My hunch is that a tiny proportion of cells are problematic: perhaps 1%; maybe 3% for some people. At least 97% of the cells are working perfectly. I would say that is close enough for me to say that the body is working perfectly. Speaking for myself, I get much more energy by focusing on what is working than what is not working.

You say that damage has been verified by autopsies. This is certainly true, but only in a minority of autopsies. For a majority of autopsies, they find no substantia nigra damage. Don’t take my word for it. Do your own research on the matter. I have been surprised myself to see how low the percent actually is.

My point is that you are holding the belief that cells in your brain are dead. It may be the case that a tiny fraction of cells in your brain are dead, but cells are dying throughout the body all the  time.  It is the natural process of life and death.

It is also possible you are one of the majority where there is no damage to your substantia nigra. There is no way to tell without an autopsy.

A third of the people who have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s are misdiagnosed. It happens. There is no definitive test for it. Perhaps you are one of the one third who have been misdiagnosed? There are certainly many possible causes for the symptoms. For example – perhaps toxins are the culprit and not cell damage in the substantia nigra.

Let’s say all of these speculations are wrong and that yes, you do have neural damage in the substantia nigra and that yes, you do have Parkinson’s Disease.

New cells can be created anywhere in the body anytime. If you happen to have an overabundance of dead cells in the substantia nigra for the moment, you can set your intention to grow new ones. If the body can make new cells, I would say it is working perfectly.

Here is the rub: If you focus on the dead cells (assuming they even exist) you are assuring that new cells will not be created. Your  thoughts are centered in a negative sphere. If you focus on the reality that your body can heal itself, it will heal itself.

This is what I have learned from my research. At the core of all healing are our thought forms. If you think your body is broken I can assure you it will remain “broken” and become more “broken.” If you believe your body can heal itself, new cells will be born, hormones will be balanced, and your body will return to health and wellness.

The most powerful force in the universe are thoughts. When we change how we think, we change the course of our lives. This is what motivated me to write Five Steps to Recovery which is all about how to transform our thoughts.

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

Interview with John Coleman ND

I received a copy of the e-mail below from Kumar which refers to my interview with John Coleman ND on my radio program.

Kumar has given me permission to  post his letter which was actually sent to John Coleman, ND. I love to post such letters – whether they are addressed to me or someone else.  It is energizing and motivating to see what other people are doing to get wonderful relief from their symptoms.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Dear John Coleman, ND:

I just heard the interview with Dr. Rodgers and the questions and answers. It was fascinating. I was happy you gave so much importance to meditation. I have been meditating for the last two decades, praying to the Lord in the form of devotional singing and giving importance to spiritual exercises under capable Masters but yet I was diagnosed to be suffering from PD about three years back. However I have continued all these along with medications which is syndopa plus(Levodopa 100mg + carbidopa 25 mg) 1.5 tablets four times a day and the dopamine agonist Ropark 2 mg three times a day as prescribed by the neuro physician.

I am feeling quite fine. Tremors have reduced significantly. I can walk at a stretch for 30 min with both arms swinging and climb staircases without any support since this was the severe problem I suffered with last month since I was falling backwards while climbing staircases and also while moving horizontally at home and other places. Add to this hallucinations and uneasy feeling on the back of the head which are no longer there.

The present improved condition is due to two weeks of hospitalization for drug optimization, physiotherapy done both at home and the hospital for coordination, balancing, muscle strengthening involving cycling, rowing, weight lifting for both arms and lower limbs and exercise on the tread mill for slow walking with longer steps. Beside these I have also been doing exercises prescribed by Dr. Roberts from the Internet which are also helpful. I taught some of these exercises to the physios attending on me.

I am eagerly waiting for the Aquas hydration formula which has not arrived yet even after 24 days after ordering the same. In the mean while I am trying my best to drink 8 glasses of water everyday.

I would like to share a simple technique here which we call evening cleaning. After the day’s work when we are relaxed, we seat ourselves in a comfortable seat erect and at a quiet place, take the thought once only in the beginning that all complexities, negativities, fears, darkness, grossness, disease and recently added toxins are leaving our body from behind in the form of smoke and sit quietly for 30 min using your will power but not meditating. You feel highly refreshed and empty after doing this.

I am in the process of writing my Life history in brief which I will send it to you after I have finished.

Once again, it was wonderful listening to you.

Kumar

Is there a Cure for Parkinsons?

Os there a cure for Parkinsons? The problem is that no one has been cured of Parkinson. I mean no one. Everyone talks about John Coleman but he is a Bowen therapist and uses his cure to promote his practice and generate income and clients.  Parkinsons happens in the brain and no amount of therapy is going to fix that, perhaps stem cell therapy in time.

Not the remedies that merely address and help control the symptoms. It is best to be honest and upfront about this I think. Otherwise Robert, please compile a list of people who have been cured of Parkinsons apart from John Coleman and distribute it and say what cured them.

Thanks

John

Response:

Thanks so much for sending in your question. John Coleman himself is very clear about not being “cured” himself. He is only symptom free. I personally do not find value in hanging my own thinking on “curing” anything.

John works hard every day at being symptom free. As a naturopath doctor he has helped many people feel better. Click on the arrow below to hear my interview with John Coleman ND on Parkinsons Recovery Radio:

There are so many stories out there and so many different programs and approaches that people adopt to get relief. The people I interview are not people who are “cured” to be sure. They are people who are leading full and complete lives. Most still have symptoms of one type of another but have found incredible ways to address them in one way or another.

I have included replays of interviews with persons that have celebrated successful recoveries here on the Parkinsons Recovery Blog. You can access all of them by clicking on the Pioneers of Recovery Category listing on this website. They are also included in my book Pioneers of Recovery.

I sent John Coleman your questions and comments above. He forwarded for posting the following thoughtful and informative response and has given me permission to post his response below.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Posted below is John Coleman’s response to John’s question above on is there a cure for Parkinson’s. 

Thank you for initiating this discussion on what it means to become free from symptoms of a diagnosed incurable disorder. Whenever I enter into a discussion on any subject, I find that it is best to make sure that the information I am using is accurate and clearly stated. Therefore, I would like to correct several misapprehensions on your part.

Is There a Cure for Parkinsons

1 have never claimed to be cured from any disease. I have never claimed to cure anybody. I have never claimed to have found a cure for Parkinson’s disease. So when you state that I use my cure to promote my practice and generate income and clients, and claimed to have cured others, you are deliberately misquoting all my published literature, my newspaper and radio interviews, and my websites.

2. My professional qualifications are rather more extensive than you have claimed. I am a qualified naturopath (known as a Naturopathic Doctor in USA and Naturopathic Physician in many European countries), having studied at two prominent Melbourne College’s. The Southern School of Natural Therapies and the Australian College of Naturopathic Medicine. I am accredited by all appropriate professional bodies, approved by the Australian government, accepted by professional insurance companies and many health insurance funds. I am also a qualified Bowen therapist, having qualified in basic Bowen therapy and Neurostructural Integration Technique. I also hold a certificate of massage.

3. My charitable work within society is well documented. I received a Tattersalls award for my work in founding Very Special Kids (a support group for families whose children face life-threatening disorders), a professional excellence award from the Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association for community education (most offered without charge and/or at my expense), and was a finalist in the Pride Of Australia Medal Courage Awards in 2007 for my work with Very Special Kids and my recovery from Parkinson’s disease. All those in charge of presenting these awards are intelligent, professional people, and investigated my history and claims thoroughly before offering the awards.

4. I have lectured to a number of conferences that address the question – is there a cure for Parkinsons – including an international conference on Parkinsons disease, and have conducted workshops for health professionals in several countries instructing them on my research into recovery from incurable disorders. Offering this information around the world has cost me many thousands of dollars of my own money.

5. While there are many medical practitioners who find my ideas unacceptable, there are also a number of prominent neurologists who encourage their patients diagnosed with Parkinsons or multiple sclerosis to work with me

Now that we have brought some accuracy to the discussion, let me say that I agree totally with you that day is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. In fact, there is no cure for any disease.

We can, however, create an environment in which our body can become free from symptoms. That is the story of my recovery. I created an environment in and around my nerve cells that allows me to live a life with no symptoms of Parkinsons disease or multi-system atrophy, providing I continue to be conscientious in taking care of my health.

You are correct that the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease originate in the brain. If you wish to educate your self more about this and discover answers to the question – is there a cure for Parkinsons –  you will do well to read The Biology of Belief (Prof. Bruce Lipton),  Saving Your Brain (Dr. Jeff Victoroff), When The Body Says No(Dr. Gabor Mat), The Brain That Changes Itself (Dr. Norman Doidge).

These books will give you a thorough grounding in the fairly basic science you need to understand this process. Once you have read these books, I am sure that you will understand that Western medicine can currently only offers temporary control of Parkinsons symptoms, while my work is focused on addressing the cause of the symptoms.

If you look into the process of stem cell research and development, you will also understand that the only change required to change a stem cell from its immature state into a cell producing dopamine is a change of environment (this is what they do in the laboratory at vast expense). This change is possible within our brain, and you will understand that this is the prime focus of all my work.

If you choose to read all my work with an open mind, you will see that Bowen therapy, while a useful and important therapy, constitutes only about 3% of the recovery process. There are some homeopathic remedies that support another 13%, but more than 80% of the recovery process comes from within the individual, the changes they are prepared to make to their life and attitude, and these changes cost little or nothing.

I am very grateful that you have given me this opportunity to clarify my position on the question: is there a cure for Parkinsons. Many people have the same question 

I wish you all the best in finding ways to improve your health, and trust that you will be surrounded with love and joy in the days to come.

Best wishes

John Coleman ND
www.returntostillness.com.au
www.parkinsonsrecoveryprogram.com

Denture Cream Poisoning

Is denture cream poisoning contributing to your Parkinsons symptoms? Perhaps there are other toxins you are unknowingly being exposed to?

Consider the possibility that something you have been exposed to over the years is the primary cause of your Parkinson’s symptoms.

  • Perhaps it is something you put on your body like soaps or shampoos or toothpaste.
  • Perhaps it is something you are exposed to like the toxic laundry detergent you use to wash your clothes.
  • Perhaps the culprit is the food you eat because it contains MSG or other additives.
  • Or, perhaps it is the denture cream you use.

OK. I know many people have no worries about denture cream poisoning because they have no need to use denture cream, but stay with me here. This is just an illustration of an important idea which I believe affects every person in a body today. I have concluded from my own extensive research this includes everyone unless there are aliens walking in our neighborhoods we cannot see.

What is the big deal with denture cream? It can cause a toxic exposure to zinc which depletes the levels copper in the body. The body needs the correct balance of zinc and copper to function.

What is the consequence? According to a number of law suits that were recently filed against denture manufacturers, the side effects are:

  • numbness or tingling at the extremities
  • reduction in movement of extremities
  • pain in the extremities
  • episodes of stumbling while walking
  • poor balance
  • Decrease in stride of walking
  • blood pressure issues
  • constipation
  • sexual dysfunction

The list of side affects above are also include in the list of side effects associated with Parkinson’s which is actually very long and very extensive. If you use denture cream regularly, I suggest that you conduct your own independent research and sort out the issues for yourself. Ask your doctor about denture creams.

If you do not use denture cream, this recent string of law suits raises a different question: Are you being exposed to toxic levels of zinc through daily exposure to other toxins? Perhaps over the years with regular use, a toxic build up has formed in your own body.

I personally have a rather simplistic approach to toxins. I never use a product that contains ingredients with long, complicated names that sound ominous. Look at the ingredients in everything you touch, everything you put onto your body and everything you put in your body this week. When you are about to use it, take a minute to read the ingredients. You may be surprised to discover you have been adding a little poison to your body every day.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Thoughts about Parkinsons

I surely appreciate all the info I receive from you regarding PD, however, it now has become overwhelming due to emails “everyday” from you. You emails remind me of my thoughts about Parkinsons. They can have a negative effect because I am reminded “every single day” that I have PD.

I need a stretch of days where I can enjoy that time not being reminded constantly that I am living with PD. Don’t get me wrong, you are providing a wonderful site and I am grateful for your dedication but I just need those few days without the reminder.

Thank you & be well.

Michael

I have been perplexed about this issue too recently. When I do not send an e mail out every day, people write and tell me that they miss it. When I do send out emails daily, some people unsubscribe to the e-mails because they are overwhelmed with too much information. In light of your input, I will reduce the sending frequency and see if I can hit a middle point.

If you are not currently receiving the free Parkinsons Recovery newsletter, you can sign up by entering your e mail address to receive the newsletters on the right side of this blog

I know many other people who are dragged down into a ditch of depression when they connect themselves with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. When thoughts about Parkinsons surface, you are immediately reminded of the belief most people have that recovery is impossible.

My suggestion is to challenge this belief that you probably hold (along with millions of others). Think of the symptoms as messages your body sends about certain imbalances in your body that merit attention. The symptoms are information that can help you figure out what is needed to bring your body back into balance.

At the core of all symptoms are seed thoughts that feed the symptoms. A big part of returning to balance is to release, remove, eject and shield yourself from holding the negative seed thought that you have a disease which means you are destined to get “progressively worse.”

It is not true. When we believe it is true, the thought will manifest. When we hold the belief that recovery is possible, symptoms dissolve in their own way and time. My book Five Steps to Recovery provides the tools to transform thoughts that are not in your best and highest good (such as the thought so many hold near and dear to their heart that Parkinsons is degenerative. It does not have to be!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

Mantras for Health

Rose gave me permission to post her Mantras for health on the Parkinsons Recovery blog here.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Thanks for all you do in educating us about Parkinson’s. Here’s some mantras forMantras for Health health I tell myself everyday:

    1. I’m going to beat the snot out of this puppy.
    2. I won’t need no stinkin’ wheelchair or walker.
    3. Stem cell research WILL find a cure in my lifetime.
    4. Drugs are good.
    5. I thank God everyday for having chosen me to have Parkinson’s. Hey, 1 out of 100..I’m pretty special!
    6. Michael J. Fox and Dr. Robert Rodgers, Ph.D. are our champions!
    7. I’m proud to be a Parkie.
    8. Buttons suck! Use Velcro!
    9. A dulled sense of smell can be a very good thing in a crowded elevator!
    10. I am here for a purpose..God is great!

Rose

Exciting News about Recovery Progress

What follows is a letter which reports exciting progress of recovery that I have permission to post. This letter was a most wonderful and very unexpected birthday present that I received several days ago.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

I just wanted to share with you that my neurologist was completely impressed with your website. We went online during my appt.

He is awesome- absolutely the most open M.D. I have ever met. I said you weren’t saying that this was a cure for Parkinson’s, but that you were saying a person could become symptom free and he said,

“Yes you can!”

He mentioned that many of his patients ask him what they can do to reduce symptoms and he tells them good nutrition, exercise, meditate, etc. That is the beauty of your site. You have done all the work and a wonderful job organizing everything — all we have to do is turn the computer on! The first thing he said to me is,

“Have you been working out a lot? You look great!”

That felt really good. I have made vast improvements in such a short time. However, I need to keep working hard and reduce my meds more as I am having a lot of very restricting dyskinesia again – that is my signal to reduce.

My doctor was also impressed with my med reduction. I have totally eliminated 3 drugs and reduced one, I have cut my l-dopa (mucuna) dose by 50% 1st than another 25% of that and now it’s time again. I just want to thank you for all that you have done and are doing- remember to take a break sometime!

Sincerely,

Turtle

Parkinsons Progress Report

Nita gave me permission to post her email below here.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Dear Robert

If it’s of any interest I can report that I consulted John Coleman last December, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s a month earlier and have been on the aquas and other supplements since then. I refuse to take the mainstream drugs and from the outset decided to treat Parky as a temporary condition until my body regains its overall health.

Although my symptoms have varied and my condition has gone up and down over the last few months I like to think that I am improving and am delighted that for the last five days in a row I have had next to no symptoms.I am so grateful to live in the same city as and have easy access to John, and I am also most grateful to you for the enormous effort support and dedication without which most of us would find life a lot more difficult. I wish you and all your subscribers health and happiness.

Regards

Nita