Archive for the 'recovery' Category

Apr 11 2012

Angela’s Recovery Summary: Week 12

Published by under recovery

Dear Ones,

This is our last week in Florida.  On Friday, April 13, we return to our home in White Rock BC where major reconstruction works will resume repairing the damage from the water leak that occurred in January.  We have been in Florida for nearly 3 months, quite possibly the longest time I have been in one place for most of the past 20 years.

In some ways it has been the most difficult week yet, garnering two hearty thumbs-up from Howard during our weekly Skype.  I have Mr. Parkinson’s attention and he is fighting back.  Meanwhile, I have a couple of interesting observations.  I bought a beach ball to help me with the Standing Qigong exercise (the instructions say to hold your arms out in front as if holding a large ball, so I thought that using an actual ball may make the exercise more doable – it works).  While carrying the beach ball in front of me from the store to the car, I noticed that I could walk much more easily.  Without the ball, my right leg tends not to step forward but rather only catches up with my left leg.  When holding the ball out in front with both hands, my right and left legs both move normally – quite a novel feeling since I haven’t been able to walk properly for over a year.  I have also discovered that I can walk even better and faster when I bounce the ball in front of me.  So now when I go for my daily walk I carry my beach ball with me!  Late news: I have just found that holding a tennis ball is also effective in correcting my gait.  I think it is more socially acceptable to carry a tennis ball with me than a large beach ball – unless of course I am at the beach.

A second observation this week has to do with the movement of my right fingers.  When I first saw a neurologist in February 2007, and was instructed to wiggle my right fingers as if I was “air typing”, I couldn’t move them.  This was a major piece of evidence in the preliminary diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.  As you can imagine, this has significantly impaired my ability to use a keyboard and to write.  Last Friday, I mentioned this to my chiro chi practitioner Lynn Migdal, and demonstrated the inability to move my fingers.  She adjusted my C-5 vertebra.  Since then, I have been able to move my fingers.  After 5 years, it is quite a novel feeling to have conscious control over my right fingers once again.

Being on Howard’s “Recipe for Recovery” has certainly tested my PD symptoms.  To an impartial outside observer, my symptoms (mostly the tremours) may appear to be worse than when I began the Recipe.  Yet in my mind – and heart, and soul – I feel I am making progress.  I do not need or want medications that hide my symptoms yet do nothing to prevent the progression of PD (for those already on PD meds, Howard’s Recipe has enabled many to cut way back on their use as their movement improves).  Mentally, I am firing on all cylinders.  Physically, I am somewhat impaired but I’m still able to get around and even find time for the occasional tennis game.  Spiritually, I am reawakening.  I feel great!

I have resolved to continue with the Recipe for as long as it takes.  Howard has completely recovered from PD by following it, as has Marie.  That’s two more people completely healed than are said to be possible according to conventional Western medicine.  I would rather live in hope of a complete recovery than resign myself to having an incurable, progressive disease.  So many people (me included) upon receiving the diagnosis of PD are dismayed that there is no hope offered whatsoever for healing.  Hopelessness defeats.  Hope heals.  Many people diagnosed with cancer report that hope has helped them recover against great odds.  I believe it can be the same for people diagnosed with PD or other so-called incurable neurological disorders.  One in a million is still better than impossible.  It is a fight worth fighting.

I love the unlovable,
I accept the unacceptable,
I dream the undreamable,
I accomplish the impossible.
I am limitless.

All my love,

Angela

No responses yet

Mar 14 2012

I Ignore My Parkinson’s Disease

I wrote a plea in my newsletter for help in changing the false belief that Parkinson’s Disease is “degenerative.”  What follows is one of the many responses I received. Brad gave me permission to post the statement that follows. Be prepared to be inspired.

Robert Rodgers,Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

Why is it we “fight” cancer, but we must “accept” Parkinson’s Disease? I never accepted anything, that is why I continue to work, exercise, live normally, etc. Mostly I ignore my Parkinsons Disease.  I skip my drugs whenever possible.  I am too busy to be bothered with degeneration.  

It has not made me very popular with the medical establishment.  Parkinsons Disease is exceedingly psychogically and emotionallly sensitive.  When our mind is preoccupied with growth, involvement, concentration (“recovery” mode), our symptoms abate.  When we are upset, angry, anxious (“degeneration” mode) our symptoms are exacerbated.  

As most athletes and artists know, in order to accomplish something, we must first “visualize” the possibility.  If we do not believe something is possible, it will never be so.  If we believe, anything is possible.  

When my symptoms caused me to lose my ability to bicycle ride at a high level of performance, I fought back and reversed those symptoms.  Last fall, my girlfriend and I rode six or seven difficult “century” rides (100 miles in one day), including one back to back days for the first time.  

I still have Parkinson’s Disease, but I can do anything I choose to do by simply deciding to let nothing stand in my way.

Brad

3 responses so far

Mar 08 2012

Prognosis for Early Onset Parkinson’s

Nearly a year ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 27.  While it definitely came as a shock to me, I haven’t let it define the person that I am.  My father was diagnosed with PD when he was 51 (which is still considered young) and I sadly watched Parkinson’s completely take over his life.  The smallest things such as walking and even talking have become difficult for him.  

I was wondering, because I am diagnosed at such a young age, will I become as symptomatic as my father by my 40′s?

David

Response:

My answer may come as somewhat of a surprise to you. Your future state of health and wellness is primarily a function of what you think will happen. More specifically, do you think in your heart, mind and soul that you will suffer the same fate as your father? If you do, then you will.

If on the other hand, you hold the belief that your body can heal itself and that the symptoms your currently experience are an indication that something is out of balance in your body, then you will search for answers and find them.

You want to know what happens to people in your same circumstance. The outcomes split into those who believe their fate is sealed – they get gradually worse – and those who know healing is possible – they get better. At the foundation of all healing are our thought forms.

The pessimistic thoughts have low frequencies which impede healing. The optimistic thoughts have high frequencies which facilitate healing. In the end, the engine that  drives what happens to you lies in your moment to moment thoughts about what is possible to manifest. I have written about the impact of thoughts on healing for Parkinson’s in Five Steps to Recovery.

If you are interested in exploring options that can potentially facilitate a reversal of symptoms and to flood the cells of your body with an energy of optimism, attend the Parkinsons Recovery Summit this June! It is the happening of the decade for anyone who has set a course to recover.

http://www.summit.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me

No responses yet

Mar 07 2012

Resources for Recovery from Parkinsons in France and Great Britain

Dear Robert,

I have been given your address, after being diagnosed with early Parkinson’s Syndrome, by a friend after discussing my general state of health with him. After exhaustive tests and the most frightening stay in hospital, a number of health issued raised their ugly heads.

I am just coming to my 56th birthday in June, to be told I had a liver virus, gall stones, depression (I have suffered with this after a nervous breakdown in 1994, but have been taught to control the effects through non-medicinal methods). I am in constant lower back pain and my specialist finally dropped the bomb shell that she believed I had the early symptoms of Parkinson’s.

I have been on a ‘light’ cocktail of drugs which have helped, but I do find it difficult to write now and hold a glass – it can suddenly fall from my hand for no reason. Walking is difficult, and I have had to give up driving, move into a friends apartment after falling and being unable to contact anyone for two days.

After going through your excellent site and information, I am writing to ask if you have :

  • Any knowledge of someone I can contact in France as this is where I live (or the UK)
  • Can I receive information you have on your site here

And finally, I want to be able to not be classed as disabled (which is what the French Health Service currently have me registered). It was hard work learning how to deal with my depression, but I learnt, I’m sure I can do it with the tools you have in your arsenal ! I am not a religious person, but I do believe in the power of the mind and the importance of a balanced spirit. If I could get to Bali, I know who and where I could go to get this positive / negative energy balance.

Thank you for your time,

Best regards

Rigby

Response:

Sounds like it is indeed a good time to get serious about considering other options! You have certainly come to the right place to get information about options that are helping people reverse symptoms that are similar to yours.

You ask about resources that might be available to you in France or the UK. There just happens to be one wonderful resource which has helped me personally and has helped many other people who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinson’s: Simon King. Simon, located in the United Kingdom, is a chiropractor who has has discovered the debilitating role that metal and crowns in our teeth can play on our neurological  system.

Why not first listen to my radio show interview with Simon King to evaluate whether you might want to make an appointment with him. His show aired April 9, 2009. To listen, visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

Be sure to keep scrolling back since the most recent shows are listed first. Of course, all shows are free to download and listen. Simon’s website is:

http://www.proprioception.co.uk

You ask about other resources. My answer here is really quite simple. Start listening to some of the other Parkinsons Recovery Radio shows! There is a wealth of information in each show that I have aired. Read posts here on the Parkinsons Recovery blog too. If you have ever had any doubt about the prospects for recovery, those doubts will soon dissolve after you have listened to a few of the radio shows and had a chance to realize the wealth of information on the blog. Recovery is happening for more and more people.

Finally, if you want to get serious about identifying options, one incredible resource Parkinsons Recovery is making available in 2012: the Parkinsons Recovery Summit which will convene in Cincinnati, Ohio June 22 and June 23. I fully realize this is a long trip for you and would mean you must cross the ocean. I can assure you, however, that the trip would be well worth the effort.  You will encounter an incredible diversity of resources that are transforming many lives.

For more information about the Summit, visit:

http://www.summit.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me

One response so far

Jan 13 2012

Painting for Parkinsons

Published by under painting,recovery

My guest on the radio show this week was Anne Atkin who has made remarkable discoveries for herself about what helps her get sustained relief from her symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Her radio show interview is remarkable in every respect and I strongly encourage everyone to listen.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery 

Anne was kind enough to send me a copy of her book, Living and Laughing with Parkinsons which I have now devoured. I did not stop reading and laughing until I landed on the final page.

Her book is a thorough and comprehensive review of the symptoms that are associated with Parkinsons and the frustrations that they present. Anne has drawn provocative and very funny cartoons that complement each explanation of a symptom and that embody the many challenges she personally encountered. You can purchase her book (which Anne sends to people to any country in the world) on her website: http://www.anneatkinart.com

Living and Laughing with Parkinsons is a beautifully written and illustrated book  that reveals the work of an incredibly creative woman. Anne points out in the book that the creativity of many people with Parkinson’s soars and blossoms.  Her work soundly confirms this hypothesis. When you see her book you will understand why,

In addition to sending me her book, Anne forwarded a letter she wrote in response to a question about what she has been doing to get relief from her symptoms, Anne gave me permission to post the letter which follow. May this not however be a substitute for listening to her interview which is full of golden treasures for anyone who currently experiences the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com  

I am very careful about how I describe what is happening to me. Recovery is a word that is too strong; I like to think that I have reached an equilibrium and a state of balance with Parkinson’s. I feel that I am always improving some aspect of myself. If you think you have recovered, then you may allow bad habits to come back whereas to keep in balance you have to keep working at it. It all becomes second nature.

Yes, it is true that I no longer use a cane and that has happened because my quad muscles are much stronger and that helps balance. Also, my overall balance has improved because I spend time just practising standing on one leg then the other.

I don’t do hours of exercise because I would be bored silly. I exercise no more than 10 minutes at a time but at frequent intervals. This way I don’t get tired or bored. I do all my own housework, which is also exercise! I love gardening and I will talk about gardening more.

I don’t do anything that is complicated or difficult. Nor do you have to do everything exactly the way I do it. After a while you will find your own pathway and it will feel right and comfortable.

So I use a combination of:

•    creativity
•    socialization- being with people from all walks of life is the way to go. Don’t isolate yourself.
•    humor – develop a sense of humor as laughter is so good for our bodies
•    exercise – and you don’t have to join a gym. There is a great book on exercise for us and it is called ‘Delay the Disease.’ It is by Jackie Russell and David Zid.
•    Mindfulness
•    Wellness   These three are handled beautifully on the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation website
•    Visualization
•    Positive thinking
•    Not giving in to negative thoughts

In everything I do I have a little catch-cry -

‘You’ll never, never know if you don’t have a go.’

You can retrain your brain through thinking positively. It is very important if you have depression.

Whoops! I forgot about gardening. Gardening is an activity that is both creative and exercise. You get the best of both worlds. I love gardening and spend at least an hour a day in mine.

My book ‘Living and laughing with Parkinson’s’ is just at the very beginning of my journey and it is my second book which is being published later this year which will do a lot of talking about the dot points above.

I hope I have given you some ideas but I must impress on you that  you can find you own path to wellness and mindfulness. There is more than one pathway because Parkinson’s is such a mixture of symptoms. We are all different and therefore our pathways are going to be all different too.

I also started this journey about 4 years ago and the further along the pathway I went, the more easily I found it to take control of some symptoms. For example, anxiety attacks are now no problem because when I feel one starting, I just visualize myself drawing, or sniffing my roses or I see myself bathed in sunlight with, sitting on a hill and watching the clouds.

Anne

Postscript:

I do believe that the complexity of Parkinson’s means that there is a complexity of different ways you can tackle the condition. I concentrated on the motor skills because I like being physically independent. Plus, retraining the brain is vitally important. I hope people see that if a late middle-aged mum from Australia can help herself then it is something within the reach of most.

But the key word is Persistence.

Cheers

Anne Atkin
http://www.anneatkinart.com

No responses yet

Jan 07 2012

Most Amazing Journey on the Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

My radio show guest this week is Anne Atkin from Victoria, Australia. Anne offers painting workshops throughout Victoria to persons with Parkinson’s where she discusses everything that really counts when it comes to reversing the symptoms of Parkinson’s.  Below is a brief email from Anne that gives your a sneak preview at the incredible story she will be telling on the radio show this Wednesday.

To get a snapshot preview of Anne’s ground breaking book, Living and Laughing with Parkinsons, visit her website at: http://www.anneatkinart.com

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

You know Robert, when I look back about 4 years ago to how I was doing PWP, I can’t believe how much both the group and myself have developed.
I have found it all to have been a most amazing journey and one that I would not have missed for the world. I have changed so much as a person and developed skills that I never thought I would have.

I have attached some of my Parkinson’s cartoons which I hope you will find amusing. The are from my book ‘Living and laughing with Parkinson’s’

Cheers

Anne

 

No responses yet

Dec 30 2011

How to Manifest Recovery in 2012

Several weeks ago I sent out an invitation to persons who receive my free newsletter to do an exercise I have found personally powerful. The invitation was to jump ahead one year to January, 2013 and reflect back on everything you are grateful for. In other words, you set in motion the ability to manifest your dreams for 2012.

What follows is an email from Alan who has given permission to post here on the Parkinsons Recovery blog.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

Here is my list of gratitude for 2012. I accompany it with a story from Autobiography of a Yogi, a long-standing classic.

A student went to his teacher/guru, having become quite sick.

I see you have made yourself ill, said the teacher, but tomorrow you will feel better.”

Gladdened, the student went home and regained health. He returned to thank the teacher, who said,

“I see you have made yourself well. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”

A wave of fear went through the student at the prospect of becoming ill again. He did become ill again and could hardly drag himself back to the teacher. Of course, the teacher said,

“You have again made yourself again indisposed.”

 The student, exhausted, asked the teacher what was going on.

“Really, it has been your thoughts that have alternatively made you feel weak and strong. You have seen how your health has exactly followed your subconscious expectations. Thought is a force, even as electricity or gravity.”

He then went on to explain that the mind is a spark of divine consciousness and that a thought, if believed intensely, would come to pass.  pp.133-4.

I could certainly use some work on the intensity of thought, but doing the exercise that Robert suggested has helped change my thinking. I listened to his broadcast many times to be sure I understood it. Then, I took some planned time and made my list of improvements as if looking back on them from 2013.

The next day, I found that I had planted those “subconscious expectations” mentioned above. For the past few weeks, that phrase “subconscious expectations” has been coming to mind. I wondered how I could set them up to be relieved of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Without realizing it, this was the answer. Writing things out commits yourself to what you are writing. The next day. I kept thinking that change is possible and started acting as if it was happening.

The support for acting out change comes from within!! It is cool to see thought go to work for you. Everything will correspond. Of course, there is a battle between what is and what I can change. The nice thing is that the writing strongly plants new seeds in the mind of healthy thoughts because it is one of your actions–and it is free!

List of gratitude:

  • I restore full use of my left hand with flexibility and contractions are released.
  • My steady balance is restored.
  • I have excellent bladder control.
  • I regain and surpass the muscle mass that I have lost in the past few years.
  • I turn over spontaneously in bed while sleeping.
  • I live in a manner that improves my health, day by day.
  • As my symptoms disappear, my medications are reduced down to nothing.
  • Complete feeling returned to the left side of my body and face.
  • I advance in my career, personal growth, and wealth.
  • I easily chew and swallow all foods and liquids. Choking has ceased. I swallow saliva spontaneously.
  • I complete all tasks, intellectual and physical, easily with normal speed.
  • I walk efficiently with a normal gait and maintain a completely upright posture.
  • I lift and carry heavy items with ease.
  • I give positive encouragement to others.

It is necessary to have something in your mind besides devastation. I stayed positive and had faith in my first year and a half. I seemed to have spiritual healings but not so much physical ones. I was trying to defeat the “medical model”: it will progress.

That is all I knew and believed (from the Internet), and I did get worse in that time.  I found Parkinsons Recovery at this time of year in 2008-9. I soon committed myself to recovery, starting with vitamins. I’ve had to fight progression, and it has been challenging. What is truly better this year is my eye viewing the scenery, close or far.

I am spontaneous at noticing things.  My eyes flit about instead of stare, and I turn and notice things. Example: I heard some women laugh after a man spoke at the grocery checkout. I turned 180 degrees to see what that was. A tall man had just joked with three women who were facing him. I was surprised at my quick, turn around response. I have become more socially spontaneous, too.

Now,  I hope to get into bodybuilding again. Two years ago, I couldn’t find any thoughts to desire it at all, and it had been a passion of mine. Listening to the music of Johann Strauss has freed me up to start thinking about mobility again. I can picture the ballroom dancers seen on youtube when I hear or think of this music. Prior to this, I couldn’t picture any motion at all.

Now, I need to expand my visualization to other activity.  I used a study where one group exercised, one group imagined exercising, and another group did nothing. The second group improved, though not as much as the first. The third group made no improvement. This study told me that the mind will affect the body in regard to motion.

My biggest crisis this year was whether to go down in defeat or not. Howard Schifke said, if you fight Parkinson’s, it will fight you back. After that, I could see you can fight the whole thing–it may be fierce, but its fierceness does not have to beat you into a hole.

When you set up one therapy or practice you open up other possibilities of  healing. I am excited with the effects already of making this list of gratitude for recovery in 2012.

Alan

5 responses so far

Dec 13 2011

Good News About My Progress

Published by under recovery

Dear Robert,

A month has passed and I want to report good news about my progress. I’m happy to say:

The inner shaking is completely gone. It was constantly present before.

I have better balance when walking  Now I can even look aside when walking, which was impossible for me two months ago.

My left side, the affected one, is not so rigid and heavy any more.

I notice tiny swings of my left arm when I am walking.

My voice gained some energy back. Before I sounded like I was too exhausted to talk.

I notice more strength in my body.

My concentration is better. I can work for 3-4 hours now. Before it was around 1-2 hours.

In general, I feel much better. Of course, some days are good, some others not so much, but I notice the progress. I know I still have a long way to go, but I am optimistic now!

My recovery program includes:

 I don’t take any anti-parkinsons drugs.

Dr. Paneri’s ayurvedic medicine since October 10th 2011 – I’m taking some tablets at mornings and evenings and some others before and after lunch and dinner. I follow the diet which, honestly, is not so hard to follow. I order a new package of medicine from India every two months.

Since September 2011 my husband is helping me according to the description in the book of Dr. Janice Walton-Hadlock – he simply holds my foot for an hour every evening. I have noticed recovery symptoms described in the book. The method is aimed to correct wrong energy (Qi) flows in the body.  Note, please, that this method is suitable only for those who are not taking any anti-parkinsons drugs!

I have a Tui na massage every two weeks.

I practice yoga (30 min daily, twice a week for an hour).

I meditate daily.

I work on resolving the psychological influences (conflicts, resentment, guilt, trauma, etc.).

I practice self-healing method reiki and … I’m changing my life principle from “Be good, work hard!” towards a wiser one: “F*** it!”

:-) It works! :-)

I wish you all a nice day! And … let’s keep going!

Romana

One response so far

Nov 13 2011

Does CoQ10 Really Slow Down Parkinson’s?

Does coq10 in large doses really slow down Parkinson’s?

Stephen

Response:

The framing of your question is fascinating. There is an implicit assumption behind the framing of your question that Parkinson’s disease is a race in a download direction. I fully realize that many people hold the belief that Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease – meaning
that anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease is destined to deteriorate over time, with no hope of recovery.

The mission of Parkinsons Recovery is to provide compelling evidence from across the globe that the assumption Parkinson’s is “degenerative” is misguided and wrong. In support of this mission, I have been interviewing people for the past several years who have successfully reversed their own Parkinson’s symptoms. Stories of former guests on my radio show are featured contributors  in the book just released, Pioneers of Recovery. We are documenting more and more cases of recovery every week now.

There are many treatments and modalities of one form or another that help reverse the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Some supplements will help depending on the factors that are causing the symptoms. After all, a supplement is simply food for the body. You can feed your body with the nutrients it needs by eating healthy, live food or you can acquire the nutrition you need through supplements.

There is a controversy in the research studies concerning the use of CoQ10 to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s. I am about to launch a thorough analysis of the research evidence. At the outset, I suspect the difference in study outcomes (some studies report positive effects and others do not) is due to the type of Co-Q10 that is used.

Some people with Parkinson’s shop around for the lowest cost CoQ10 available. The cost differences are extreme. A search for the lowest cost is a terribly flawed strategy. You might as well be throwing your money into a bottomless well if you purchase and take a low cost form of Co-Q10.  There are only a few forms of this particular supplement that will pass through  the blood brain barrier.

For recommendations, I suggest you listen to my radio show with guest Laurie Mischley, ND who has extensive experience treating people with Parkinson’s and has specific recommendations about the brands of Co-Q10 that she has discovered have been helpful to her patients. I aired two shows with Dr. Mischley in June, 2010.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
www.pioneersofrecovery.com

No responses yet

Nov 08 2011

Hope and Support for Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

A few months ago I have ordered and read your book Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease. It gave me a lot of hope, support and very valuable information.

It was important for me to see that some people managed to recover! I am much more relaxed now, not in a panic any more.

I have a diagnose since August 2010. I took Azilect until December 2010, but afterwards I have stopped taking it. I’m exercising yoga, meditation. I’m walking every day. Tuina massage also helps. I have changed  food, reduced stress factors, etc. And I’m taking Dr Paneri’s medicine for a month now.

Great news: I am already noticing some improvements!

I hope you know, how important your help is! Thank you.

I wish you all the best.

Kind regards,

Romana

Response:

Thanks so much for letting us all know about your recovery progress and giving me permission to post your update. I am hearing more and more stories of recovery every week now. I just released a new book this week [Pioneers of Recovery 2012] that reports 11 stories of recovery as told on my radio show.  These are exciting times to be alive.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
www.pioneersofrecovery.com
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
www.parkinsonsdisease.me

No responses yet

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