Feb 19 2010

Dental Detox and Parkinsons

Published by admin 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

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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
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 18 2010

There is Nothing Wrong With You

Published by admin 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

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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

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Feb 16 2010

Liver Detoxes

Published by admin 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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Feb 15 2010

Is Sinemet Necessary for Recovery from Parkinson’s

Published by admin under fava beans, mucuna, sinemet

Question:

John Coleman, ND mentioned in his book Stop Parkin’ and Start Livin’ that Aqua Hydration Formulas (www.aquas.us) comprise 60% of the therapy, while Bowen therapy 25%.

What makes up the remaining 15%? Does Sinemet (or herbal like Mucuna) fit into it? If so, does it go to say that we cannot recover from Parkinson’s without including Sinemet in the regime?

Thank you,

Arsenio

Response:

Dr. John Coleman has offered the fascinating estimates you note above based on his personal experience with recovery and with treating others with Parkinsons in his capacity as a naturopath doctor. Simply summarized, his experience is that when the body is properly hydrated and trauma is released using Bowen therapy, the body is in a position to heal itself. Better hydration is of course also plays a critical role in detoxing heavy metals and pesticides from the tissues of the body which have a clear and direct impact on symptoms.

In my conversations with many people who are on the road to recovery, some have an immediate, positive response  from beginning to take the Aquas homeopathic remedy designed to hydrate the body. Other people must continue taking Aquas for several months before relief is detected. Others see improvement, but not in the range of the 60% that John reports. And of course a few do not observe any detectable result.

The bottom line for all therapies is this: They work beautifully and profoundly for some people, but not others. I believe the underlying factors that cause the symptoms and multifaceted and vary considerably from person to person.

Permit me to extend my explanation further by reference to Sinemet (which must be prescribed by a neurologist) or mucuna or fava beans which are natural sources of dopamine and do not require a doctor’s prescription. Some people report that the quality of their lives improves markedly after taking either Sinemet or fava beans or mucuna. Other people report trying them but see no positive impact. Some people who take Sinemet feel worse from the side effects.

In the end, it depends on the underlying reasons for the person’s symptoms and on the body’s response to whatever treatment is being tendered.

In specific response to your question,

“Does it go to say that we cannot recover from Parkinson’s without including Sinemet in the regime?”

The answer for some people is no and for other people it is yes. Believe me when I say I do not mean to waffle here. It is the simple truth. I interviewed people in Pioneers of Recovery who took no Sinemet but are symptom free today. Other people take dopamine supplements of one form or another and do better on them than off.

The good news of the day is that anything is possible. As I document on this blog and in my books such as Road to Recovery from Parkinson’s Disease, there are many therapies that help people get sustained relief from their symptoms. Sinemet and the other dopamine enhancing supplements provide a source of relief, but they are only one among many other options.

In conclusion, the factors that contribute to the symptoms are extremely complex. If you hold the belief that a rigid formula will help you recover, I suspect the chances are pretty good that you will be disappointed with the outcome.  There are certainly some people who might lead high quality lives from taking [Aquas + Bowen therapy + Sinemet], but that happens to be the solution set that works well for them. It may do little for you.

Dr. Coleman, ND never actually took Sinemet himself, but is symptom free today. Depending on personal circumstances, he does prescribe Sinemet to some of his patients.

I believe Parkinson’s is the most complex and multidimensional illness that exists in our world today. It all depends. Commit to a personal path of recovery and you will begin to feel better with each passing day. Chances are good that your solution set will be unique to your needs and the requirements of your body.

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 11 2010

Parkinson’s and Eyesight

Published by admin under cataracts

My uncle Gordon Ward lost sight in one of his eyes as a result of a botched cataract surgery.  The two loves of his life (besides my Aunt Betty) were reading and playing tennis. Gordon lost the ability to do both in his early seventies. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s soon after his cataract surgery fiasco.  My aunt Betty told me she thought the surgery had a lot to do with the diagnosis of Gordon’s Parkinson’s.

It is obvious to be that if people with Parkinson’s can avoid any type of surgery they will be a lot better off all things considered. So, I have been searching for some time now for a natural product that will enable the eyes to heal cataracts. Since the body is always able to heal if given the support it needs, I knew there had to be something out there that would help. Finally, I found a natural product that helps the eye to heal naturally.

If the CAN-C eye drops had been available to Gordon, he would likely have been able to avoid surgery.  If he had use of his left eye, I suspect he would still be reading and still playing tennis today.   Instead, I attended my uncle’s funeral service in Wyoming last May.

I have now found a reliable supplier of the CAN-C eye drops that are discussed in my interview with Jennifer Jones during my radio program today. For more information on the CAN-C eye drops visit:

http://www.cataracts.parkinsonsrecovery.com

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 07 2010

Power Within to Get Relief from the Symptoms of Parkinson’s

Published by admin under Parkinsons, recovery, road to recovery

I received the e mail below last night from Danny. It makes my heart sing to know that my new book, Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease [http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me]  is having a positive impact on people who are on the Road to Recovery.

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

Your book, Road to Recovery is absolutely phenomenal.  I’ve only read the first 50 pages and I can’t put it down.  I had to force myself to take a break and write you this email.  During my 10+ years with Parkinson’s, I have had doctors, family members, support group friends and personal friends insisting that with Parkinson’s I will get progressively worse as time goes by until I am eventually completely disabled.
.

How refreshing to finally find someone who tells me that that is not necessarily the case, that I have the power within me to relieve my symptoms and to heal myself. I have always felt deep down that it is possible to get better and as you know I have made much progress in that direction through the use of tai chi.

In your book, you provide proof that it is indeed possible through a myriad of alternative approaches, with the research and stories of people who have been successful.You provide the information in such a positive and optimistic light, allowing the reader to experiment, discover, and develop his own Road to Recovery that is suitable for his own individual journey.

You encourage us to live life to the fullest, using our creative powers to experience the wonderful things that life has to offer us.  These are indeed the best years of our lives.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Danny

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Feb 06 2010

Join Parkinsons Recovery on the Cruise to Alaska

Published by admin under cruise to Alaska

I hope you are planning on joining us on the seven day cruise to Alaska, of course the trip will be a vacation for us all. I figure you can not beat a price of $699 for seven days – all expenses covered.

We are also planning many exciting activities experiences or everyone:

  • Join Danny Loney (who is symptom free today) in his Tai Chi workshop.
  • Discover whether music medicine provides relief from your symptoms.
  • Explore the possibility that entanglements in your family system may be affecting your symptoms.
  • Experience multidimensional healing.
  • Learn about  detox methods that have been proven effective for people with Parkinson’s.
  • Hear my live meditations.
  • Experience the Smart Lounge to see whether it gives you relief from symptoms.

All of the workshops we will be offering on the cruise are free. Please consider joining us for what I know will be a transformative and a life changing experience.

The deadline to sign up at the highly discounted fare is this Thursday, February 12th.  If you act now, the vacation is only $100 a day.  You get to both have incredible fun and steer a steady course on the road to recovery.

http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me/alaska

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 03 2010

Positive People Positive Results for Parkinson’s

Published by admin under Thoughts and Parkinsons, healing

Below is an e mail I received from Rose with encouraging news of recovery from the symptoms of Parkinson’s from a “healing.”

YOU ARE SO RIGHT ON!  NEGATIVE THOUGHTS=INSTANT FAILURE!  BAH!  HUMBUG!


THERE IS THIS OTHER BOOK, CALLED “THE SECRET”..POSITIVE PEOPLE ATTRACT POSITIVE PEOPLE = SUCCESS…WORTH READIING.

I WENT TO MY HEALER FOR THE FIRST TIME HERE IN NASHVILLE. SHE WAS WONDERFUL.  WE FOCUSED ON SOME BAGGAGE I’VE BEN CARRYING….NOT THE PARKINSON’S DISEASE…AND WE IDENTIFIED SOME OF THE BIGGER PIECES AND I ‘GAVE’ THEM TO OTHERS AS IT WAS THERE:S TO HANDLE.

MY TALKING SPEED WAS VERY MUCH IMPROVED THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS!  I STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO, BUT I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE RESULTS WITH JUST ONE SESSION AND WILL SEE HER AGAIN IN MARCH.
ROSE

P.S. The deal of a lifetime to join us on the Parkinsons Recovery cruise to Alaska expired February 12th. Meet other people on the road to recovery.  Take advantage of free Parkinsons Recovery workshops on the cruise.
http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me/alaska

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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