Dec 15 2009

Dopamine Producing Cells

Published by at 3:50 pm under Dopamine,symptoms

Question:

My husband and I receive your newsletter and listen to many of your radio interviews. I am encouraged by your message of working toward recovery. I do have one question, and it deals with physiology.

Conventional medicine explains the symptoms by stating that the dopamine producing cells in the substantia nigra are dying, and this is irreversible. Do you think the cells are dying but this state is reversible? Or do you question the whole idea of the cells dying? If PD is simply a collection of symptoms, what causes the symptoms?

We are working hard toward recovery, although the path is discouraging right now.

Regards,

Don and Dianne

Response:

You ask if I question the idea that cells are dying. I have no doubt but that cells are dying throughout the body every second of our life. It is the sweet nature of life as it is sustained by the awakening of new cells and the death of cells whose time has come.

Do cells in the Substantia Nigra die? Of course they do, just as the cells in my right big toe. I say,

Out with the old and in with the new.

The process of old cells dying and new cells emerging gives life juice and power. It we hang onto the old, our life force withers away.

You ask if the state of illness is reversible? My answer unequivocally is yes. There are beliefs that typically drag us down into the sewer of depression and illness. Once those beliefs are transformed, recovery becomes possible as long as the physical body is given the support it needs to heal.

You ask what causes the symptoms? I write quite a bit about this subject in my new book I just released this week, Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease. There are a number of interrelated factors that contribute to the symptoms including trauma, stress, toxins, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and a digestive system that has shut down.

Here is what I think. There is no single therapy or approach that can offer the promise of  full recovery. Parkinson’s is one of the most complex conditions that can exist in the body. It takes a multifaceted approach to heal.

A deficiency of dopamine plays a minor role in what is happening within the various systems of the body. I can assure you it is not the central character in this drama. I suggest you step back and begin thinking in a much larger and broader context.

It sounds like you have launched a path on the road to recovery. Take action on whatever therapies or approaches that call to you. A little experimentation will go a long way in helping you figure out what you need to do for yourself to recover.

It is very easy to get discouraged, since the road to recovery tends to have quite a few curves and unexpected twists. When you get discouraged, as is the case today, just acknowledge the thought and whisk it away for it is not serving your best and highest good.

I have a concluding thought for you. You mention you are working “hard” toward recovery.  It certainly does take an unwavering commitment, but if the work is “hard” it may actually be stressful, provoking symptoms. Perhaps the thought form could be transformed by the mantra:

‘We are having fun as we travel down the road to recovery. Every day reveals exciting new discoveries that feed our souls, our bodies and our minds.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Parkinsons Recovery Cruise
Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Weekly Reader
Parkinsons Recovery Chat RoomSymptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas

Books

Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery

Meditations for Parkinsons
Stop Parkin’ and Start Livin’

4 responses so far

4 Responses to “Dopamine Producing Cells”

  1. Billon 16 Dec 2009 at 7:22 am

    (I shared this note with my readers today…)

    If you’re like me, and God help you if that’s true, you do a daily search of “Google News” for updates in the field of Parkinson’s Disease research. Today, I stumbled onto THIS gem…

    “Many people believe that once you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, you do not have a prayer of recovery. According to this belief, symptoms will continue and fester until you find yourself withering away all by yourself in a nursing home for invalids.

    This depressing belief is misguided, misinformed and simply put, dead wrong according to researcher Robert Rodgers, Ph.D. Released this week, his new book documents the recovery of people with Parkinson’s who are using natural approaches and therapies to get remarkable relief from their symptoms.”

    Waitaminnit, waitaminnit… you’ve got the secret, “Doctor” Rodgers? The “road to recovery” with herbs and spices and oils? Well, HELL, brother… why don’t you TELL us what those secrets ARE…

    Oh, wait… there’s a website. I’ll bet THAT’S where the “secrets” are!

    “Let me be clear about the purpose and content of Road to Recovery from Parkinson’s Disease. Here is my “truth in advertising” disclosure.

    * You will not find any discussion of wheel chairs. They will not be needed when you are far enough along on the road to recovery.

    * You will not find any discussion of nursing homes. I believe you can remain independent as long as you choose.

    * You will not find any talk about “cures.” I believe it is terribly silly to think about “curing” yourself. Do you really want to become like concrete or crispy bacon?

    * You will find concrete discussions about choices you can make to help yourself feel better.

    * You will find a persistent theme of hope and optimism.

    * You will find ways to transform beliefs about what the symptoms are really telling you about the imbalances in your body.

    * You will find suggestions you can run with to feel better.”

    Well! You’ve certainly peaked MY interest! And being the “Scientific Researcher” that you are, you are no doubt ready to present your findings in a peer-reviewed paper to seek publication in one of the established medical journals so clinicians EVERYWHERE can benefit from this discovery of yours…

    Oh, wait…

    You’re selling a book.

    You want people with Parkinson’s, people who pay God knows how much each month for the medications they need to be able to move, to shell out $32 to learn about your “cure”…. oh, sorry. You said “curing” is for bacon and concrete, not Parkinson’s patients desperately seeking hope — the kind of hope snake oil salesmen and similar vultures prey on.

    So, here’s my challenge to you, “Doctor” Rodgers.

    Your Ph.D… is in which area of science?

    Your qualifications for dealing with movement disorders are… what?

    Your “methods” — tell us about the clinical trials you’ve conducted and the results thereof.

    Your “cures” — ooops, there’s that word again — your “recovery from Parkinson’s” techniques. Present some factual evidence… not anecdotal evidence from “satisfied customers” who you list by first name only and can’t be verified or cross-checked.

    You have a website. You have a blog. Where’s your CV? What are your credentials? Care to share?

    You wouldn’t just be another quack selling snake oil to people who are so desperate for a “Cure” that they’ll believe any sort of hogwash if it’s presented by someone with a “Ph.D” – would you?

  2. Jpainkillerson 16 Dec 2009 at 7:35 am

    I take painkillers for my back pain, the best known this findrxonline are vicodin and hydrocodone are opiates to treat my illness, so I recommend always do the necessary consultation to avoid taking medications or analgesics that do not help overcome the pain.

  3. adminon 17 Dec 2009 at 3:01 pm

    Your Ph.D… is in which area of science?

    My Ph.D. from Michigan State University is in the social sciences with a specialization in Labor and Industrial Relations. I served as an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin in
    the 1980′s and subsequently as a tenured professor at the University of Kentucky.

    My interest in health care emerged after I was appointed as the Director of Graduate Studies of the Health Administration program at the University of Kentucky which at the time was housed
    the Martin School of Public Policy.

    My masters degree is from Cornell University and my undergraduate degree is from Vanderbilt University.

    Your qualifications for dealing with movement disorders are… what?

    There are many answers to this question. My mother, diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease, had significant mobility challenges. Her gate was slow. Her steps were small. She occasionally froze as she
    walked.

    Since 2006 I have been interviewing experts on exercise, physical therapy. occupational rehabilitation, tai chi, Chi gong and a wide variety of other specialties which have given me incredible insights into
    what can help people get relief from their symptoms. I air some of the interviews on my radio program. You can listen to any of the previous programs by visiting the radio program website:

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

    I have interviewed amazing people who have deep insight into the factors that cause the symptoms and the treatments that can help.

    Your “methods” — tell us about the clinical trials you’ve conducted and the results thereof.

    I offer no “methods” per say. I actually report the research I have collected from people who are getting relief from their symptoms and the health care practitioners who have found treatments that help people feel better.

    I have no “methods” to offer, only a wide variety of choices people can consider for themselves. Everyone is different. Some methods work magic for one person and do nothing for another person.

    Your “cures” — ooops, there’s that word again — your “recovery from Parkinson’s” techniques. Present some factual evidence… not anecdotal evidence from “satisfied customers” who you list by first name only and can’t be verified or cross-checked.

    Again, I offer no “techniques” per se. There is no single technique in my opinion that can reverse
    all symptoms. The illness is far too complex for one single technique or treatment to prove effective.

    As for any testimonials you might see on the websites … I can assure you that all have been e mailed to me by real people who are expressing their opinions about one aspect or another about what we do here at Parkinsons Recovery. All of the testimonials are unsolicited.

    People send me e mails. As a matter of practice, I only publish first names of the testimonials to protect the identify of anyone whose testimonial I post.

    If you would like to meet some of the people who have written testimonials, I am quite sure some of them will join us on the Parkinsons Recovery Cruise to Alaska. If you would like to take a fun vacation this spring, I invite you to join with other people who are on the road to recovery on the cruise so you can hear what they have to say face to face.

    You have a website. You have a blog. Where’s your CV? What are your credentials? Care to share?

    Actually, Parkinsons Recovery sponsors much more than a blog and a website. Many free services are offered:

    The Parkinsons Recovery Chat room where you can talk with anyone anytime of the day or night: http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.net

    Parkinsons Recovery Symptom Tracker: Track your symptoms over time so you can assess your progress toward recovery.
    http://www.symptomtracker.info/parkinsons/login.php

    Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network: listen to interviews with medical professionals from a wide spectrum of specialties discuss the causes of Parkinson’s symptoms and treatments they are finding to be beneficial.

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

    Questions and Answers: I provide answers to questions that are submitted to me about Parkinsons (just as I am doing here)!

    Research discoveries about Parkinson’s: http://www.parkinsons.diseaseremedies.com

    Parkinsons Recovery Cruise to Alaska. Clearly people have to pay for the vacation, but Parkinsons Recovery will be offering free workshops and presentations

    http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me/alaska

    Parkinsons Recovery newsletter: just sign up at http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com and receive my free e mail newsletters

    You ask about my credentials … In addition to the formal degrees I mentioned already (Ph.D., Michigan State, MPA, Cornell University, BA, Vanderbilt University), I am a certified cranial sacral therapist and a graduate of the four year Barbara Brennan School of Healing. I have a passion for writing, so I have spent much of the past several years writing about the discoveries I have been making about Parkinson’s. If you would like to have a curriculum vita, I would be happy to forward one by e mail.

    Feel free to call me anytime. Call the toll free number 1-877-526-4646 and I will gladly return your call.

    I assure you I am a real person with a passion to discover ways that can help people with Parkinsons heal. I am really an information conduit, not a person who offers treatment regimens or “cures.”

    Thanks so much for sending in your questions. I know many people must have the same questions.

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

  4. Monica McIntyreon 23 Dec 2009 at 3:25 pm

    Such an angry person Bill is. No room for much of anything else.

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