Archive for February, 2010

Feb 28 2010

Loss of Smell and Parkinson’s

Published by under smell and Parkinson's

By way of introduction to the correspondence below from Hanne Koplex, I thought you might first like to know something about her. The information was taken from the 12 Melisa Conference in Prague.

“Hanne Koplev, a Danish veterinarian, who also had studied acupuncture … stopped working as a veterinarian in 2001 because of Parkinson’s disease, presumably caused by exposure to mercury and copper. In collaboration with private clinics she “challenged” 15 Parkinson patients with Dimaval (DMPS) and 3 patients with penicillamin in order to prove exposure to mercury and copper, respectively. Some were later treated with chelators and improved.

Hanne indicated a number of exposure sources: mercury from dental amalgam; copper from intense pig farming, intrauterine inlays, cooking-vessels, copper tubing and amalgam; manganese from welding; lead from gasoline:

The Parkinson patients that I have seen were all heavily exposed with amalgam in their teeth, and sometimes also gold. The only exception was a dentist from India, working in Sweden, with no amalgam in his teeth, but exclusively amalgam in his work.”

Hanne Koplex submitted for posting the following fascinating summary of her ongoing study that clearly links toxins to the loss of smell for persons with Parkinson’s.

Please note that intoxication with Mercury can be followed by symptoms as loss of smell.

My article about Parkinson’s disease is not updated since 2005. The corresponding diagram can be found at this link: http://www.snowboat.no/Diagram15.03.2006.PD-1korr.pdf (This diagram from 2005 contains only 18 patients.) Today I have collected test results for about 72 Parkinson patients.

All except two patients, who were or had been medicated with anti-psychotic medication, were found intoxicated with heavy metals. The most common result is a combination of chronic intoxication with Mercury, Lead and Copper. Copper could be a special Danish problem due to pollution from agriculture production.

The article has been used at The MELISA-congress in Prague concerning “Toxic Metals as a Key Factor in Disease”. http://www.melisa.org/popup/12-group-summary.php

Please note too, that in some patients with Parkinson’s disease the sense of smell is changed. Putrid smells are sensed very strong, and pleasant smells as ex. flowers can not be sensed. Some of these patients would (wrongly) answer, that they have a very good sense of smell.

The sense of smell have be restored after (years of) detoxification in one of the patients with loss of smell.

And note too the way that mercury can enter into the body and destroy the sense of smell.

Best regards.

Hanne Koplev
Veterinarian

The links Hanne provides in the summary above contain information about toxins and Parkinson’s that is illuminating. If you have Parkinson’s and have not yet explored with your health care providers whether toxins may be a factor that is contributing to your symptoms, may Hanne’s study inspire you to explore this possibility with greater zest and zeal.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Cruise to Alaska
Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas
Alternative to Cataract Surgery

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery

Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

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Feb 26 2010

Phantom Smells Anyone?

Published by under smell and Parkinson's

Question:

I have experienced the loss of the ability to smell for a number of years even though I was diagnosed with PD only three years ago BUT I often have phantom smells (wires burning, ammonia, permanent wave solution, smoke and other smells I can’t describe.) I wonder if I am alone in this or have other PD patients experienced this.

Thank you.

Sharon

Response:

How about it folks? Anyone else experiencing phantom smells like those Sharon describes above? Please write in a comment to let Sharon and the rest of us know your experience with phantom smells.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Cruise to Alaska
Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas
Alternative to Cataract Surgery

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery

Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

6 responses so far

Feb 24 2010

Tai Chi and Parkinson’s Disease

The inspirational e-mail posted below was sent by Danny Loney who will be offering free Tai Chi workshops on the Parkinsons Recovery Cruise to Alaska which departs from Seattle on May 3, 2010. For further information about the 7 day cruise to Alaska, visit: http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me/alaska.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Hi Robert,

This past week concluded the conference of the Israel Parkinson’s  Association held at the Dead Sea.  I spent most of the last night of the conference laying in my bed with tears in my eyes as I thought  about the experiences that I had encountered over the previous four days.  For me personally, it was emotionally overwhelming as I did not expect to experience such an outpouring of warmth, acceptance, and love.  Most of the participants I had known from past conferences and other Parkinson’s events, but this time I was able to connect to others and get to know them in a very personal way.  I felt like a lost puppy that had found a warm and accepting home.

I was amazed at the many compliments that I received from my tai chi workshops and felt a bit uncomfortable with all of the attention.  There is a tremendous amount of creative talent in our Parkinson’s Association, whether it be paintings, woodwork, organizational skills, poems, music, counseling, or just a word of encouragement and a warm smile.  And I am only one of many who want to make a contribution; a guy with Parkinson’s trying to help a few other people with Parkinson’s  improve the quality of their lives.

Danny

No responses yet

Feb 23 2010

Sinemet Alternatives

Published by under fava beans,sinemet

Question:

Hi Robert

First of a million congratulations for creating such a fantastically interesting radio show [http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery] which to me is a lifeline of hope. I wish I could nominate you for the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

A question on the fava beans issue: What’s the bottom line? Is it that fava’s are cheaper than Sinemet, which is not an problem in London since we have free prescriptions. Or more excitingly do fava’s lead to less risk of addiction???  Having ploughed through the majority of Janice Walton-Hadlock’s treatise on the horrific risks one can run in giving up L Dopa, addiction is my number one fear if I put myself on the fava road to Recovery.

Robert


Response:

Thanks for your kind words about my radio program. I love doing it every week. It gives me a chance to talk with such interesting people and a fantastic way to get the word out that there are many people out there who are on the road to recovery from Parkinson’s Disease.

What a high honor to be thought of as a recipient of a Nobel prize! Once we have 5,000 cases of documented recovery, I would like to nominate all 5,000 pioneers for a Nobel prize in medicine. I am just documenting the discoveries that others with the symptoms of Parkinson’s are making!

As for the choice between taking fava beans or Sinemet … What is best? Of course, the decision depends on the individual in all cases. Some people have told me that Sinemet has saved their lives and given them hope. Others have said the same thing about fava beans and mucuna.

As you note, a challenge with any prescription medication is of course the side effects. There is also the long term possibility that the body will become addicted to a prescription medication. Once you start taking it, it is very difficult to stop.

As Sandra points out in my radio show interview with her, fava beans are also not exempt from risks. Some people are allergic to them. There is also a contra-indication for anyone who is taking an MAOI inhibitor (usually for depression). It would be a good idea if anyone is contemplating taking fava beans as a source of dopamine for their bodies to listen to my radio interview with Sandra from Tennessee. She grows her own fava beans and makes a tincture that is giving her sustained relief from her own symptoms.

Clearly, it is not the case that one choice is obviously better than another. It depends on a number of factors that can interact in very complicated ways.

There is an energetic difference between fava beans and Sinemet. When grown in a natural environment, the energetic charge of fava beans (or any food for that matter) can exude a very high frequency, giving your body quite a “charge” so to speak (unless you are allergic to the fava beans of course). Because fava beans are a natural food, the body is less likely to react negatively with side effects.

Any prescription drug is a synthetic. Medications usually convey a combination of frequencies to the tissues of the body that transmit conflicting signals. This of course is why side effects are experienced by some people.

My personal preference is always to try the natural therapies first. If they fail, then resort to the synthetic alternatives. There is a good chance the body will be better able to assimilate the therapy if it is natural.

Of all the Parkinson’s drugs, my interviews suggest that Sinemet seems to prove the most useful to people. There is certainly no reason to rule out any option that is available!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Cruise to Alaska
Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas

Improve Vision

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery

Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

No responses yet

Feb 23 2010

Loss of Smell and Parkinson’s Disease

Published by under Uncategorized

Question:

A pre-diagnosed Parkinson symptom was the loss of my sense of smell.  It rarely appears on medical information forms, and if brought up during  examination noted but never gone further in discussion.

I wonder about this. If it was a matter of lose of touch, hearing or sight, would this be treated differently?  Why is it downplayed?   Are there any known recovery  methods, studies or treatments concerning this condition?

Thanks, any information will be appreciated.

Daniel

Response:

Researchers have known for at least 30 years that persons with the symptoms of Parkinson’s have an impaired sense of smell. Several studies were released in 2008 confirming the link. The impairment in ability to smell involves more than being able to take in the full essence of a scent. Individuals with the symptoms of Parkinson’s have greater difficulty distinguishing one order from another, or are unable to detect any order whatsoever.

There is currently considerable research interest in the link between Parkinson’s symptoms and the loss of smell now that it has become clear that the two are inextricably linked. Loss of specific smells in particular have also been linked to Parkinson’s symptoms, which is interesting in itself.

Some researchers are currently working on designing a diagnostic smell test for Parkinson’s. There is no definitive test at present that gives a clear  indication of Parkinson’s.  A smell test will also not be definitive,  but it can be used in conjunction with other evidence.  I suspect such tests will soon be routinely offered to patients.

The Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test is often used by many neurological clinics to evaluate neurological imbalances. This test evaluates a person’s ability to detect 40 scents.  People who take the test can are able to identify on average 35 of the 40 odors correctly. Parkinson’s patients can identify 20 of the 40 odors or less.

Researchers predict that people with seriously impaired olfactory functions have five times the risk of developing Parkinson’s than those with the highest olfactory function.

In light of your interest in this question, I will set my intention to interview some of the researchers who are currently conducting studies to evaluate the connection between the ability to smell and the symptoms of Parkinson’s. To be sure, it is an interesting line of inquiry which may  lead to understanding the underlying factors that are at play.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Cruise to Alaska
Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery

Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

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Feb 19 2010

Dental Detox and Parkinsons

Published by under dental health

What follows is a rich explanation of dental health as a critical factor in the overal health and well being of persons with Parkinson’s which was submitted by Brad:

Much has been written about the presence of toxic metals in dental work, but there is another  source of toxins in our mouths that should not be overlooked.  Naturally occuring bacteria are present between the teeth and gums that can cause bleeding gums and in severe cases, loss of teeth.  The bacteria produce potent foul-smelling toxins.  As the toxicity becomes chronic, the gums become inflamed and recede over time.  This is known as “gingivitis” or “periodontal disease”.  If your gums bleed, even a tiny bit, you have it.  As the condition worsens, “pockets” form deep around the tooth, further harboring the toxin-producing bacteria and absorbing the toxins directly into the bloodstream.  I have not seen research linking these toxins to Parkinson’s, however, the mouth is very close to the brain and any toxic stress is bad for PD.  There IS research linking periodontal disease to heart disease and other maladies.

Gingivitis can be mild and persist for years without pain or obvious symptoms.  Regular dentists do not usually treat this condition, referring patients to periodontists who specialize in gum conditions.  If the condition is advanced and the pockets are deep, the periodontist may recommend gum surgery, which is obviously costly and more traumatic than prevention.  Prevention or recovery from mild cases is simple and inexpensive.  Merely following routine oral health practices (brushing, flossing, rinsing, use of anti-bacterial mouthwashes, etc.) religiously will destroy the bacteria and toxins before they can reach your bloodstream.  This must be done at least once or twice daily, though.  Regular dentists or periodontists can give advice and judge the effectiveness in this regard.

Brad

No responses yet

Feb 18 2010

Persantine and Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

Question:

I was told by my doctor to have A MIBI stress test which is a Nuclear Medicine test that If you are unable to perform the stress test on the treadmill, a drug called PERSANTINE will be given to you. Does it have any harmful effects on PD patient?

Thank you

Response:

As a general rule, any FDA approved drug has side effects and involves a certain degree of risk. You can always search on the FDA website (http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety) to discover the side effects of any drug.

My research did not reveal any information about Persantine. As best I can determine, it was approved for use by the FDA in 1987, but withdrawn from the FDA approval list in 2005.

it looks to me like a similar drug is now available called Aggrenox which has dipyridamole as the primary ingredient. It appears to act much like aspirin. You might want to review the articles below and consider consult with a pharmacist who can surely provide a list of possible side effects.

As for specific interactions with a persons with Parkinson’s symptoms, that is a wide open issue. It really depends on what are the presenting symptoms, what drugs and supplements you might be taking at the time, etc.

Here are a few website references I found that might be of interest:

PERSANTINE – dipyridamole

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm111085.htm

http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/05-4158.pdf

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/docs/obdetail.cfm?Appl_No=012836&TABLE1=OB_Rx

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/99/slides/3510s1/

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/99/transcpt/3510t1a.pdf

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Cruise to Alaska
Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
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Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
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Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

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Feb 18 2010

There is Nothing Wrong With You

Published by under Thoughts and Parkinsons

Below is a follow-up correspondence from Brad whose story appears on my blog yesterday:

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

I got “PD’ed” at church today.  I was a visitor and had no sooner entered than I was greeted by a young man with very obvious Down Syndrome.  He instantly spotted my shaking hand and said with a big smile,

“Don’t worry, you don’t have to be nervous, it’s only Ash Wednesday.  Or perhaps you’re very excited because you have such a beautiful wife!”

From his perspective there was absolutely nothing “wrong” with me; to the contrary everything was “right” with me.  My partner and I agreed that there was a profound lesson to be learned from this man’s innocent and perceptive observation.

Brad

No responses yet

Feb 17 2010

Alternative Therapies for Parkinson’s Disease

What follows is a fascinating e mail I received from Brad who has given me permission to post it here.

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

I am still “in the closet”, so to speak, that is to say I have not publicly discussed my diagnosis.  I am very new to this discovery as I received my diagnosis one year ago (at age 52).  Sometimes I get “PD’ed” by strangers who notice my symptoms and ask (or tell) point blank that I “have Parkinson’s”, which I cannot evade.  The only purpose for taking the currently available meds is too hide the condition from others during, say, public speaking or other event which might lead to self-consiousness or embarrassment.  The meds serve no other purpose, they do not treat any underlying condition whatsoever.  I suspect this denial, or hiding from PD symptoms, is very psychologically damaging (Michael J. Fox treats this in depth in his books).  It leads to over medicating and adds stress, thereby worsening the condition.

In my case, I was lead to believe that the use of L-Dopa would provide dramatic relief and thereby confirm the diagnosis (remember that PD is a “negative” diagnosis, that is, it is indicated by ruling out all other possible explanations, however, in reality this is impossible to do.  So PD is labeled “idiopathic”, or of unknown causation).  Instead of relief, absolutely nothing happened, except that I immediately worsened and developed new symptoms in addition to a multitude of side effects.  My brain has resisted L-Dopa therapy over these twelve months.  L-Dopa is only sporadically effective and is very hard to predict.  It takes very high doses to alleviate all symptoms (breifly) and during periods of high stress (particularly social stress) it does not work at all.  So I have made a conscious decision to  minimize my use of L-Dopa and seek alternatives right from the start.  Sometimes I go for days without medicating at all and my symptoms usually stay about the same or sometimes better.

Things I am doing that seem to help:

Continue to ride and race bicycles.  I have had to give up certain types of racing that require extremely fine motor skills, but I ride with accomplished groups regularly, at least 5,000 miles per year.  Balancing a bicycle utilizes different neural circuits from your center of gravity than balancing on your feet, so I actually cycle better than I stand or walk.  Some medication is required to control dystonia and keep my “slow” leg in sync with my “fast” leg, but I have experienced symptom-free rides occasionally.

Continue serious weight training.  Since lifting weights does not involve high speed movements, it is largely unaffected by the symptoms.  I have always been very strong and have become even stronger with pd symptoms than I was previously.

All other forms of physical activity, such as stretching, hand and finger exercises, table tennis, hiking, walking, basketball, anything that involves motion.

Healthy food, water, and sleep/rest.  Avoid all trauma and toxins insofar as possible.  Drama-free social life, mental engagement and exercise, healthy spiritual practices.  These seem to be so “common sense” that they may be overlooked, but the proof is in disrupting any one of these and the symptoms immediately worsen.  Improve them, and they immediately get better.  Simple.

“Alternative therapies” that I am trying or considering include mercury detox.  This is very dangerous, because disturbing mercury in dental work and/or chelating mercury that has been bound to brain tissues for a long time can worsen matters by “stirring up” heavy metals that may then be reabsorbed or recirculated prior to elimination.  A personal decision has to be made balancing the risk/possible benefits of this approach.  It is too early to tell what impact this decision will have on me because I have only had mercury-free teeth for less than thirty days after more than thirty years.  I do believe eventually mercury will be banned in dental work.  There are better alternatives available.  My dentist conceded only after agreeing that having already developed pd symptoms, the levels of mercury that may be safe for a normal healthy adult might not be appropriate for me.

Hypnotherapy is showing great promise.  If nothing else, achieving relaxed states reduces stress.  However, even western medicine recognizes “psychogenic Parkinson’s”, from which full recovery is possible.  It distinguishes this from “real” or “organic” Parkinson’s which by definition precludes recovery.  So if you recover, it must have been psychogenic and vice-versa, if you don’t recover it’s not psychogenic.  This is circular reasoning.  Self-observation proves that all PD is at least partially psychogenic.  Besides, it is a Western assumption, wholly based on faith, that there is any real difference between the mind/spirit and body at all.  There is plenty of evidence, including in Western science, that there is no difference.  One cannot exist or be healthy without the other.  During hypnotic states (basically that relaxed dreamy state just before falling asleep), observable symptoms abate.  What more proof that these symptoms are controlled by mental states (or brain waves, if you will) is needed?

Long held attitudes and “belief systems” are hard to change but they clearly play a role in recovery.  There is a website with which you may be familiar, it’s www.pdrecoveryproject.org, I think, that discusses this in depth.  It’s chapter 45 of a lengthy treatise.  It’s basic theory is that negative self-hypnosis or “accidental” hypnosis is a causitive factor in PD symptoms.  At home, we avoid using the term “disease” or even “Parkinson’s”, instead referring to “Mr. P” or “my condition” or “symptoms” because one thing is for sure, if for one minute, you believe that you will not recover, your prophecy will be self-fulfilled.  On the other hand, if you believe improvement or recovery is possible (not guaranteed), then that will be true also.  Cancer victims refer to “fighting” cancer, PD’ers often talk about “accepting” PD.  While “accepting” oneself as one is or accepting the public acknowledgement of your symptoms may be helpful, the will to live (not mere survival, but living well) is the driving force behind recovery from any illness.

On the drawing board: acupuncture.  The brain is an electrical system.  Western science proves this through DBS.  DBS, however, is a crude and intrusive means of maintaining that system.  Again, the website mentioned above details how electrical disuptions in other parts of the body (particularly the foot or ankle) may affect the brain.  I had such a traumatic injury in which the tibia was fractured and did not “knit” after 99 days in a cast.  Subsequently, a “TENS” unit was utilized passing an electrical current, night and day, for several months through the fracture.  While this did cause an 80% “healing” of the bone to occur, there may have been electrical side effects unbeknownst to me from this therapy.

I realize that this is rather lengthy, but PD is a vastly complex and mysterious condition.  The mere lack of dopamine is neither it’s cause nor solution.  I agree with you that the current scientific research will never result in a “cure” because there are a multiplicity of causes and therefore a multiplicity of “cures”.

I appreciate this opportunity to share my thoughts in writing because it has helped me be a little more organized in my own research and thinking.  I do not yet know in what way my experience may be used to help others, but I will consider your idea.  Thank you for your time and the work that you are doing.

Brad

3 responses so far

Feb 16 2010

Liver Detoxes

Published by under detoxes

Question:

Toxin buildup in the body is one of the probable causes of PD. As we know, the liver is our body’s major waste converter. What do we do to keep the liver in top shape? Also, what is the best supplement to give the liver especially when one has PD?

Thank you,

Arsenio

Response:

The question you raise is critically important for persons with Parkinsons. Research has definitely shown that heavy metals and pesticides have a direct impact on the symptoms of Parkinsons. As you point out, the liver plays a huge role in this drama. The bowels and kidneys are also lead actors. I like to think of detoxing from the perspective of all the body’s elimination organs.

Perhaps the most important factor to a successful detox is better hydration. Many people are unaware they are dehydrated. If cells are not adequately hydrated, waste does not have a prayer of being eliminated regardless of the detox method you use.  John Coleman, ND recommends people used Aquas (www.aquas.us) , a homeopathic remedy designed to help the body take in water and distribute it to the cells. Clearly, the intake of sufficient quantities of water is important.

I believe many people underestimate the value of colon cleanses. Regular colon cleanses can take the burden off the shoulders of the liver and kidneys.

Eating unprocessed foods also takes a huge burden off the liver. Fresh vegetables and pure water can do wonders for the liver. Some people with Parkinsons use a brief fast to cleanse the liver, though these decisions should of course be pursued under the close consultation of your doctor.

In part, the best detox method depends on the type of toxins that are present in the body. Testing can be done by a naturopath doctor or medical doctor to pinpoint the specific toxins that are present in the body. Naturopath Ivy Faber uses bioenergetic testing which scans the body for toxins and other problems :

[http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com/ivytest.html].

Doctors also have tests to identify the presence of specific toxins that may be causing the symptoms. There are specific detox methods for specific toxins, so it really depends on the specifics. This is such a specialized area that some medical practices specialize in helping people detox their bodies.

By way of example, one detox method that can successfully remove heavy metals according to my interviews with doctors and other health professionals is zeolite, a substance that is derived from the ashes of volcanoes.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Cruise to Alaska
Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery

Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

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