Category Archives: About Parkinson’s Disease

How can I know what I need to do for myself to feel better?

Trust that your body knows what it needs to come
back into balance.  I think there is a special skill
involved in being able to communicate with  your
own body. The skill requires the ability to check in 
regularly to see what your body  needs.

I think it helps to think about what you can do
in the moment rather than trying to figure out
one single huge intervention that you can do
(such as visit clinic A or take supplement B or
see doctor C). We work with this skill at 
Jump Start to Wellness.

For example, let’s say you are in a stressful
situation. Your body will probably give out the
usual signals of stress. Symptoms will flare up
(such as more shaking, trembling, greater
rigidity or whatever. . ) Are you noticing?  
This is your stage cue to reduce the stress
in the moment.  

I think a key is first to make conscious the
usual reality that the underlying trigger for the
symptoms involves some combination of fear,
stress and trauma. It thus helps to begin watching
yourself closely and noticing when the stress
flares up. When you can monitor your stress
levels every moment, you can learn how to
get your body out of stress and into a more
balanced mode.

Alternatively, if you have having increased
symptoms, your body may be having problems
processing all the supplements and medications
you may be taking in conjunction with the food
you eat.  You may feel sluggish or depressed.
When everything is combined together, the level
of toxins can begin to overwhelm your immune
system. 

When your body gets overloaded with
substances it can not process (which can
include medications of one type or another, 
toxins, pathogens, etc.) the immune system
crashes. Again, symptoms will get worse.
This is when the toxins begin to take their toll. 
If this happens it would help to investigate 
ways to detox your body.

Your body will tell you what it needs. The
symptoms are important signals. In the end,
it is all a question of inviting your body to
come back into balance moment to moment.  

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

 © 2008 Parkinsons Recovery
 

Parkinsons Disease Natural Treatments

Question:

Are you familiar with the work being done in Santa Cruz, CA (PD Recovery Project), and do you have any information about the success (or lack thereof)?

Answer:

I personally believe they are providing a useful alternative
for people with Parkinson’s who are interested in 
finding ways to feel better. There is a large body
of information on their website that is interesting
and informative.

I also know they offer group sessions as do
we at Jump Start, though the focus, content
and delivery differs considerably. We look at
Parkinson’s as an issue involving a number of
factors (toxins, nutrition, trauma, pathogens).
They are much more focused in their approach
as I understand it. 

I have heard many reports from people who have
participated in their programs. The feedback 
jumps all over the place and reports are mixed. 
It is clear however that some people have found
relief from their symptoms or have found techniques
that are helpful.  

I hope others who are familiar with their program
will comment on their personal experience below. 

We have observed that most people are actually
not aware that they are getting relief from their
symptoms. Just because someone says a program
did not help does not mean that is true necessarily.
It is very difficult to track yourself when there are
so many symptoms that come and go. 

I created the Symptom Tracker program so that
anyone with Parkinson’s can track their
symptoms over time. You simply go to the website,
enter any name (so you can not be identified and
the information is confidential) and answer a
39 item questionnaire. 

You initially get baseline results. Then, you visit 
the website in a month or so and (using the same name
to log in)  answer the questionnaire again.
The program gives you an immediate report of
how your symptoms have shifted over time.
You can print out the results and show them
to your doctor.  

System Tracker is free. Your past data are
always stored under the user name you give
so you can track yourself over time.

Just be sure and give a user name that
can not be connected to you in any way. 
The information is known only to you.  

I suggest that if you decide try any modality, track your
symptoms using Symptom Tracker.  We invite
everyone who participates in Parkinsons
Recovery programs to use Symptom Tracker so they can
monitor their own progress for themselves. 

If you join us in the Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room Mondays
(I participate from 9:00 am – 10:30 am pacific time) you 
can ask anyone else who is present about their experience
with the Santa Cruz program. This type of feedback from
people who have actually participated would clearly be
helpful to you at this point. 

I also want to say that everyone is different.  
Responsiveness to any specific modality – I do
not care what it is - will differ. 

For example, Sally reports to you that therapy A was the
holly grail for her. Sam reports that therapy A  gave him 
no relief and was a waste of money and time.  Down the
line Sam reports that therapy B is his holly grail, 
while Sally says it is a waste of time for her. 

We encourage people at Parkinsons Recovery to collect
information about all the many alternatives that are
available as you are doing now.  I encourage you 
to experiment with those that you are called
to and see what happens. 

The recovery program that will succeed for you
in the long run will be tailored to to your
situation, fit your personal needs and
satisfy your preferences.

Have fun searching.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery 

 © 2008 Parkinsons Recovery
  
 

What Can I Do to Stop Tremors when I am in Stressful Situations?

Question:

I start getting tremors in my jaw and left arm every time I am in a difficult or new situation. It doesn’t make any difference if I  have just taken my Sinemet medication or not. What can I do about this?

Response

Stress has a huge impact on symptoms. The husband of one client was having serious health challenges himself. Her  symptoms deteriorated rapidly during this period. When his health problems resolved, her symptoms immediately improved. The correlation between the stress and her symptoms was near perfect.

Stress clearly is the trigger for the symptoms.There are helpful responses you can initiate in new situations to relieve the stress. We do live demonstrations of techniques that are useful in such situations in Jump Start to Wellness. A solid connection with yourself and the earth helps relieve the stress.  Regardless of the technique, they all invite a connection with yourself  and to the earth.

When we go into fear in a new situation – everyone does - our energy tends to dissipate and scatter. We feel unsafe, some of us more so than others. Our energy begins to bounce  around our heads and not our feet. The key to reducing the stress is to shift the energy down to your feet so that you can feel the support of mother earth and feel safer.  

When we are able to move out of feeling fear in the moment and shift into a place of feeling secure and safe, the stress is relieved and the symptoms do not flare up. It is really a moment to moment thing.  It helps to remember that the stress is created moment to moment. We control the symptoms when we control our reactions in the moment.   

I will be writing soon about specific techniques that are useful in such situations in the Parkinsons Recovery Newsletter.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

 © 2008 Parkinsons Recovery

  

Can I Stop Taking Sinemet if I Decide to Pursue Natural Therapies?

Question:

Dr. Rodgers: I was interested in your suggestion that Parkinson’s is not caused by a lack of dopamine but due to adrenaline, toxic and stress problems.  Does this mean that I could stop taking Sinemet?

Response:

First let me emphasize I am not a medical doctor. You will need to consult with your medical doctor about any changes in your medications or doses.   

There can be serious consequences if you stop taking your medications abruptly. The addictive properties to some medications for Parkinson’s make it particularly difficult – and even dangerous – to stop taking them cold turkey.   

I have heard sad reports from people who tried to go off of their medications cold turkey. These reports say that people have found themselves in the unfortunate situation of having to go back on their medications at an even higher dose – sometimes twice as high – when compared to the dose they were taking the day they tried to quit.  

The decision to wean yourself off of your medications is a serious one. Be sure to consult with your doctor if you consider doing something like this. Some people are able to successfully reduce the dose they take. In these cases the reduction is gradual and, again, conducted only with the close supervision of their doctor.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

 © 2008 Parkinsons Recovery

Is the Diagnosis of My Parkinson’s Disease Correct?

Question 

Before three years, I was diagnosed Parkinson with rigidity in neck, shoulders and back, less arm swing,slowness.
 
Thereafter I consulted a number of neurologists who diagnosed as stiff person syndrome or drug induced parkinsonism or due to depression.
Currently, I have following symptoms
 
1. Rigidity in arms, shoulders, neck back and whole body.
2. Within last one month intensity of muscle spasm in right shoulder increased which spread over neck, back with increase in rigidity.
3. Heavy legs, difficult to walk; body is dragged while walking
4. Spasm in right shoulder and upper back as a result the head is slightly bend over right shoulder.
5. Rigidity in right shoulder, upper back and neck create pain and very uncomfortable spasm like sensations which aggravate as day progresses.
6. Some times uncomfortable sensations in legs.
7. Anxiety with depressed mood.
8. Low energy level.
9. Restricted painful neck movement.
10 Slowness in hand writing; no much change in size of letters
11 Less arm swing
 
Things which I can not do: 

  Can not walk normally
  Can not stand for long
  Can not lift heavy luggage 
  Can not drive car
  Can not concentrate 
  Do not like to read , mix with people
  Can not sit for long 
 
Family history :
 
  I have not undergone any surgery so far.
  Congenital fusion of C6 to D1 vertebra
  My mother had breast cancer and has undergone by pass surgery.
  No PD in family.
 
Summary of health:
 
Lipid profile Normal
Renal profile Normal
Blood sugar Normal
BP Normal
Ultrasound of KUB Normal
ESR High
MRI of cervical spine Presence of Arachnoid cyst at C7- D1 level;
size appox. 11x15x13 mm
Congenital fusion of C6 to D1 vertebra 
MRI Brain Normal
Glutamic acid decarboxylase test IgG Antibody serum Positive
Neurophysiology  report Chronic partial lower motor neuron type of degeneration in the anal sphincter muscle with normal tone preserved
Thyroid profile Normal
Vitamin B 12 High
 
Facts :
  No tremor
  Near to normal gait
  All of a  sudden muscle spasm increased in last month.
  Balance near normal, never fallen
  Hand eye coordination good
  Can cut vegetables, button shirt and handle coins
  Can ride scooter
  Normal 6-7 hrs sleep
  No urination at night.
 
Current medication
1. Lelodopa + Carnidopa 2 tab a 
day
2.Premipexaxole 05 mg three times a day
3. Lioceutical glutathione 
4.Co enzyme Q 10 100 mg/ day
5. Vitamin B complex 
 
Inspite of taking these I feel continuous  feelings of rigidity in neck, shoulders, back and whole body. My legs have become heavy.

Please let me know whether my diagnosis of PD is correct and what should be the line of action..I wanted to do brain scan  and dopamine absorption test but they are not possible here.
Please advise me.

Answer

I am not a medical doctor so I am not qualified or trained to diagnose
or treat disease or even speculate on whether your diagnosis is right or
wrong.  My perspective differs from the conventional approach of
diagnosis and treatment of disease. Let me explain myself. 

Parkinson’s is what we call a garbage can diagnosis. 
Because there is no definitive test for Parkinson’s 
it is terribly difficult for even highly trained neurologists to 
diagnose Parkinson’s.  Some researchers
even speculate that one third of the people with Parkinson’s
are misdiagnosed. Sometimes a neurologist will even
tell a patient: 
   
      “I am not sure whether you have Parkinson’s or not.”

So, let’s say there is a two thirds chance your diagnosis is correct
and a one third chance it is wrong.  What does it matter whether 
the diagnosis is correct or wrong? With a “diagnose then treat”
approach the key question turns on “what is wrong with
me and how do I fix it?”  

I want to be fixed as much as anyone, but I also
know there is something inherently wrong with this
mindset. If I hold onto the thought that something is wrong
with my body then that belief will eventually become true. I will
become sick. I will become my thoughts.

How do I know this is true? Easy. Just think about what happened
when you were first conceived. There was only one cell in the beginning.
How did that one cell become two cells? Answer: the consciousness
and thought forms of the first cell created the second cell. And so forth.
These thought forms work their way up the chain as cells multiply
and we are fully materialized in human form. 

How about considering a different way to think and respond
to your symptoms?  How about acknowledging that your body is
actually working perfectly, exactly the way it was designed
to function?  

Pain is a gift that is given by the body.  Receive
the gift with open arms. Your body is simply giving you 
signals that it needs a little help in returning to a 
state of balance and health.  

After all, most of the cells in your body are functioning perfectly. 
Why not focus your attention on giving your healthy cells the
support they need to become stronger? Bodies with healthy cells
grow other healthy cells. The good news is that the body can
always rejuvenate itself. 

I believe the key is to listen to what your body is telling you. 
By the description of some of your symptoms it might be the case
that your body is very, very stressed and traumatized. 

In our newsletter I regularly offer information about many
different ways you can consider to address the stress and trauma
that is trapped inside your body (if that, in fact, is the issue at hand). 

All the best. May you find relief from your symptoms soon. 

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D. 
Parkinsons Recovery

 © 2008 Parkinsons Recovery

Story of a Miracle Recovery from Parkinson’s

Question 

My husband, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
seven years ago, and who was drug free for the first five
of those years, has improved dramatically over the past
two months as follows: 

major, noticeable and sustained
   increase in energy (sexual, emotional, physical, mental, etc.): 
handwriting is easier; 
balance improved; 
less need for sleep and recovery/rest;
abatement of muscle soreness;
urge to return to direct, upright posture and then, arms swing naturally;
return of facial expression, moving faster and smoother;
the list goes on. 

He presently takes 5 25/100 Sinemet per day, which he
has been taking for almost two years.  He also is on a wide
range of supplements, which he has been on from the beginning
and finally, I have been giving him weekly energy treatments
which are loosely based on yin tui na but which amount to
an intuitive, hands on kind of relaxation session.
 
We are simply unable to explain his seeming recovery
and are happy to live with it as a miracle.  However, we
wanted to advise you of the remarkable turn-around
he is undergoing and seek any input you may have. 

Response

Your story of recovery is an inspiration to everyone with
Parkinson’s who are on the road to recovery. Thank you
so much for sending it. I hope others with stories similar
to yours will be encouraged to send their own personal 
experiences with recovery.

Your husband’s recovery program has consisted of a two pronged
approach: nutrition and energy work. He gives his body the
nourishment it needs to rejuvenate damaged neural pathways and
balance out the intricate array or hormones in his body.

Why did it take so long for the supplements to take effect?
It is often the case that the digestive system is compromised
in the early stages of recovery.  The food needed by the
body to repair cells is not being adequately assimilated or
processed. It takes time for blockages and barriers in the
digestive system to clear.  

Some of the best evidence of recovery comes from John
Coleman, ND. It took him nearly four years to recover from
the symptoms of Parkinson’s. As a naturopath John has helped 
other clients fully recover, but their recovery too has taken
2-4 years. It simply takes time for the digestive system and
the body time to come “back on line.”  

You have also been giving him subtle energy treatments.
I believe this is also a significant reason for his remarkable
improvement. 

My colleagues and I did a six month study to evaluate the
effects of energy healing on the symptoms of 10 persons
who have Parkinson’s in Portland, Oregon. We tracked
their symptoms using standard research instruments
and videos. 

Findings showed that 75% of the symptoms either improved
or stayed the same. Videos of before the treatments and after
also showed remarkable improvements.

Energy work helps to release stress and trauma which we
believe is a factor that causes the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Energy work also helps the body balance out the complicated
mix of hormones that are continuously circulating throughout
the body.   

Your experience with the recovery of your husband matches
our own experience perfectly.  The weekly energy sessions and
the nutritional supplements are both clearly two important reasons for
the miracle of his recovery. 

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D. 
Parkinsons Recovery  

 © 2008 Parkinsons Recovery