Category: medications (Page 1 of 2)

Has Anyone Improved Enough to Discontinue Sinemet?

The most encouraging news I have heard comes from John Coleman ND who is from Australia. He is a naturopath who himself had Parkinson’s in the mid 90’s and has now fully recovered. John has now helped many others do the same. What follows is John Coleman’s answer to this question in his own words.

“I chose not to take any western medication during my journey. There were a number of reasons for that, mainly around the way doctors treated me. But that was my choice, and I’m glad of it.”

“However, all my clients who have recovered were taking western medication (Sinemet, Madopar, and/or others) until they got better. The first was taking around 1500 mg of levodopa per day, and gradually weaned himself of it over two years. Another was on Sinemet 100/25 three times daily and reduced that to 0 over about 18 months. Another was on Madopar and went cold turkey (I don’t advise that) after three years or so and has stayed well. Others have started on high medication and reduced to very low doses while they still work towards recovery.

“I saw a client this week who just gave up Sinement in January because he didn’t like the way it made him feel. He is a little stiffer without it, but feels better in himself and has more energy to work towards wellness. He is improving in health steadily.”

At Parkinsons Recovery we are hearing more and more stories from people who have successfully reduced the dose of the medications they have been taking under the close supervision of their doctor. The answer from John Coleman ND to the question: Has anyone improved enough to discontinue Sinemet – is yes.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®

© Parkinsons Recovery

Lately, I have been contemplating the weaning off PD medications. Presently I take 100 mg of Levodopa Carbidopa 4 times daily and I take Requip for restless leg syndrome, five times daily.(The Levodopa is a fairly low dosage.) I am also on Azilect 1 mg 1x daily. This is the highly touted drug that is supposed to slow down PD.

Motivating me first and foremost to stop my meds, is that I do not like putting chemicals into my body and I have been taking Lev/Carb for 12 years now. Secondly I have read that if you keep supplying your body with pill form dopamine, it relies on that, and it will not try to make dopamine on its own.

In the future, I would like to try and free my body of pill form chemicals, and put my body back to work for itself. I know that this would have to be done gradually and carefully and working with a doctor under his/her guidance. And it would involve lots of work on my part. And I do remind myself too, that it could be risky–and at this moment I am fending off symptoms quite well.

My neurologist he cautions me saying that I am doing so well, why change anything? He says that first of all PD patients like myself, whose symptoms start with a tremor, tend to fare better than others. (And I am thankful for that). But mostly he stresses that MY MEDS are the biggest contributing factor for my ‘wellness’, and that THEY are what is making the difference for me. So, no encouragement from him whatsoever.

I just wondered if, in your work, with PD, Roger, have you ever encountered or heard of anyone else who has set out on a similar journey : without meds and using alternative therapies, and whether they have been successful, or not. If so I would be interested in hearing their stories. And do you or your colleagues have any comments?

Thanx

Ms X

Your vision is clear about what you want to see happen with weaning off PD medications. You have precisely what you need to manifest your heart’s desire: a clear vision, solid focus and unwavering determination. There will always be people who question your decision. This happens with any change you have decided to initiate.

You ask if there are any other people who have pursued a similar path. I know of many people on a path of reducing meditations and/or alternating their program in one way or another. Some people wean themselves off medications that are no longer serving their best and highest good with the support of their doctors.

The challenge of course is that side effects of certain medications can begin to be  worse than the symptoms the medications are formulated to help.

Compounding pharmacists tell tell me that if a person is taking three medications, there is a good chance there are drug interactions and drug depletions. If a person is taking five, there is a 100% chance of drug interactions and/or depletions.

The term you use is weaning which is appropriate. When people try to stop medications, serious consequences can result – even visits to hospital emergency rooms. The trick is to reduce the dosage very gradually with the guidance of your doctor. It may take months before success is celebrated.

It takes a serious commitment on your part. And as you aptly point out, you have to work very closely with a doctor who supports your decision to wean off medications. It is also important to acknowledge the role that supplements have in whatever decisions you make and whatever approach you pursue.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®

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. Can I stop taking Sinemet to Pursue Natural Therapies? 

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.

The issue I raise is to explore the reasons for a dopamine depletion. If caused primarily by anxiety, then getting anxiety attacks under control will go a long way toward reducing the need for a medication or dopamine supplement.

You do not mention if you have celebrated any improvement after taking Sinemet. The most common reports of improvement are a reductions in anxiety and muscle pain,  improvements in sleep and better energy. Have you experienced any of these welcome outcomes from taking the medications? They certainly do offer benefits to many.

You ask:  Can I Stop Taking Sinemet to Pursue Natural Therapies? 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.

In addition to working with your doctor about medications and supplements, begin investigating the cause of your symptoms. There are many possible causes (toxins, trauma, stress, infections to name a few). Many people celebrate relief from symptoms while identifying and addressing the cause (or causes). The two together can be a winning combination especially when the medications offer symptom relief even if temporary.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Are there any drug interactions and side effects from taking Parkinson’s medicines? My medicine is inderal 10mg and pacitane 2 mg, three times a day. Now my cardiogram is not perfect and for six months selgin 5 mg. I don’t get a good sleep at night. My doctor suggested that I stop selgin.

I am not a medical doctor, so I am not qualified to suggest changes to any medications that have been prescribed by your doctor. I can speak to your question about side effects.

Are there any drug interactions and side effects from taking Parkinson’s medications? Yes. There are many as is the case with most prescription medications. The frustrating challenge is that many of the side effects are the same as the symptoms of Parkinson’s that the medications are designed to suppress.

Keep in mind that when you use the term “medication” it really embraces anything we put into our bodies including food, drink, supplements, herbs, lotions, makeup, soaps, shampoos – the whole can of worms so to speak.

Side Effects of Medications

If you want to know which side effects are associated with the medications you are taking, go to your pharmacist and ask for the drug sheet which lists all side effects. You may be surprised to discover how long the list can be for some Parkinson’s medications.

One of the easiest ways to know about the side effects of medications is to do a quick search on the internet. Type in the words (name of medication) side effects. You will see several medical websites that list all of the major and minor side effects that have been documented in studies.

Drug Interactions

There are further, potentially serious complication. Drugs you are taking may interact with one another. When we take more than one drug, there is a possibility that the effect of taking more than one drug is causing additional, unanticipated and potentially life threatening symptoms.

Certified nutritional counselors tell me that there is a very good chance of drug interactions when you are taking three medications and a 100% chance of interactions when you are taking five or more medications. Of course, there are no studies that report on these interactions. Besides, everyone responds differently.

It is a good idea for people taking multiple medications to have analysis done by a pharmacist who can identify problems and recommend alternatives you can consider in consultation with your doctor.

The truth is that it is a very complicated area. It is thus very important that you involve specialists who know about drugs. They can analyze your full health history (which includes a consideration of foods you eat, supplements you take and substances you put on your body).

The body is a very sensitive, living entity. When we ingest something that is harmful to our health, we get clear signals through symptoms that it is time to make some changes. As you already know, the fact you are unable to sleep is a signal your body needs something it is not getting or is getting something it does not need.

Drug Depletions

Drugs can also deplete the minerals and vitamins our bodies need to produce energy, so it may be important to take additional supplements to counterbalance the depletions. People train for years and years to have the skills to help out with such problems. Take advantage of their skills. Find a compounding pharmacist or natural pharmacist who can do a thorough analysis for you so you know for sure where you stand. They can provide a thorough report of  drug interactions and side effects from whatever medications you are taking.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

I know you are not a physician but we want to hear from patients with the same experience Or have you interviewed patients who reduced their medications  successfully to recovery. We want to learn from these experiences.

I post e mails from people here on the Parkinsons Recovery Blog who report patients who reduced their medications using one approach or another.  Check in with the blog periodically to get their stories.

I also document cases in Pioneers of Recovery. Many I have interviewed over the years have been successful in reducing their medications in close collaboration with their doctor.

People use different approaches to reduce their medications. The most important rule is to do this slowly working with your doctor.  As you point out, there are many excellent alternatives which can be considered. Some will succeed for you and others will not.

As you correctly point out, I am certainly not qualified to say one way or another whether this particular drug therapy would be a good choice for you. I would proceed just as you are – ask around – get some opinions – then  use your own intuition to decide whether taking this drug would be a smart decision for you or not.

Drugs have literally saved people’s lives, so we must all be thankful that they exist. The downside to taking any prescription drug is that there are always side effects. That is why the FDA is involved.

You may well achieve your goal (which in your case is to reduce the medications you are currently taking) but other unwanted side effects may emerge (or not). You never know since every one’s reactions to drugs differs.

As with any drug the list of possible side effects for the drug you are considering is extensive. Possibilities that have been reported for the drug you are considering include disturbed sleep, unsettling dreams, fatigue, spasms, pain, headache, diarrhea and an increase of liver enzymes. If you decide to pursue this as a therapy you may experience none of these possible side effects. Or, you may experience several of them.

You can always evaluate whether any therapy is a good idea or not for you through muscle testing and checking in with your own intuitive sense of what is the right decision to make.

You actually know the answer to your own question. When you sort out how the option feels, you will know the right decision to make.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Naturopath John Coleman. ND, from Australia answers the question asked by a member of my audience: “When to Start Taking Parkinsons Medications?” Many people agonize over this issue. John provides his own perspective in offering his answer to this question.

Author of the book Stop Parkin’ and Start Livin‘, John Coleman was one of the first individuals to recover from symptoms of Parkinson’s disease he personally experienced in the mid 1990’s. Given his personal journey down the road to recovery, John offers rich insights into the question from a member of the Parkinsons Recovery audience : When to Start Taking Parkinsons Medications?

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

I use carbidopa/levodopa daily and have for about 4 years. I’ve tried with out the medication for about 2 weeks on two separate occasions recently. Unfortunately I was shocked at how difficult all movement was without it. But I’m concerned. Does Carbidopa/Levodopa hamper recovery? Any data on this?

Pat

The challenge with taking medication is that over time, a higher dosage is needed to achieve the same benefit. Eventually, increases in dosage have no added impact and begin making matters worse. It is not that the medications make the situation worse. It is just that they stop offering the benefit originally intended by you and your doctor.

As in your case, let me stress that users can celebrate symptom relief and are able to function again. It helps you feel better now. The trick is to begin exploring the cause of your symptoms and begin with therapies that address them. For example, if toxins are a cause, being a detox program in close consultation with your doctor.

My research reveals that it is not advisable to stop taking any prescription medication – to go “cold turkey.” The side effects of withdrawal can be troublesome.

If you decide to reduce the medication after consulting with your doctor it is critical to do so slowly and gradually. Compounding pharmacists are an ideal resource who can help you reduce the dosage very gradually so that the reduction does not trigger strong side effects.

A number of persons have reported that medications have helped them get back on their feet so that they could begin doing what is required to reverse the symptoms. Once other options are found that address the causes of your symptoms, many people find they do not need to take as much medication and some have been successful with weaning off of them completely. This of course is a slow process that needs to be pursued mindfully.

In the end, when it comes to the question of – does Carbidopa/Levodopa hamper recovery- it is a question of balance. There are a multitude of therapeutic options that are helping people reverse their symptoms. Once options in addition to the medication are identified and found to facilitate a reversal of symptoms, most people find it is possible to begin reducing their medication dosage very gradually in close consultation with their doctor and their compounding pharmacist.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Pioneers of Recovery

My friend’s husband is 53 and has been living with Parkinsons for 12 years. The medicine does not seem to work anymore. He now shakes the whole day where as before it was only once the medicine wore of. Is There Any Hope After the Medicines Stop Working?

Is there any treatment that he can go for that will help him to live a normal life again?

Have you had any feedback on stem cell replacement therapy?

Regards:

Annelie

Response: Is There Any Hope After the Medicines Stop Working

Yes indeed. There are many, many therapeutic possibilities that your friend’s husband could find that would be helpful now that the medicines are have stopped working.

Most people are familiar with the approach used in the specialty of western medicine. Help offered by prescription medicines has been useful to your friend’s husband for over a decade, but is now no longer working for him. He can celebrate the many years of relief he obtained from the medicines he has taken thanks to western medicine. Some people discover that the prescription medicines are only helpful for 2-3 years at best.

Now what? The good news is that the treatments offered by western medicine in the form of medicines and surgeries are only one among dozens of other treatment options and approaches. Recovery really hinges on broadening the perspective on recovery options and being willing to consider other treatment modalities.

There are a multitude of therapies – some thousands of years old – that people with Parkinsons report offer relief from their symptoms. Most are natural, safe and offer the potential for improvement in health on some level. I have documented dozens of therapies in Road to Recovery that help people recover.

There is a wide range of choices to consider from sound therapy to vibration therapy to herbal remedies to quantum healing to energy healing to biofeedback to Emotional Freedom Technique to photobiomodulation to focused ultrasound …  The list goes on and on.

Western medicine has been in existence for about 100 years. Many of the other specialties that offer profound relief to persons with Parkinson’s have been around for thousands of years and and have proven true to the test of time.

Success with recovery requires that the cause (or causes) of symptoms be identified and therapies adopted that address the cause. I have documented 11 stories of recovery in Pioneers of Recovery. Each person had a successful recovery but went about it with very different therapies and approaches. In short, each situation is unique and requires an individualized approach.

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

Can medications make symptoms worse? I have been taking L/Dopa for 6 months now and just increased my dose in the last couple weeks and I have noticed more tremors in my legs.

Mandy

Unfortunately, taking medications is a two edged sword. Yes, they can provide relief from some of the symptoms – especially in the short run. And yes, all prescription medications have side effects.

If you list all of the side effects associated with the prescription medications that are available to treat Parkinson’s Disease you will actually see a long list of all the symptoms that are associated with Parkinson’s.

Some people experience few side effects. They find the medications provide them with welcome relief. Other people report that the side effects are worse than the symptoms they experienced before taking the medications.

I am not a medical doctor. I am not qualified to diagnose what is happening to you. I can offer a simple observation.

If you increase the dose of a medication and the symptoms are worse than before, your body is giving you a strong message. For whatever reason, the medication(s) at the current dose do not appear to be helping.

It could be a single medication. Or, it could be the side effects created from taking more than one medication. Your doctor is the go to resource when it comes down to resolving this problem. It may be a simple problem with a dose that is too high.

I would recommend entertaining other options that offer the opportunity to tame tremors which can be used in conjunction with medications. I have documented dozens of natural therapies that are proven to quiet  tremors in my online course here: Tame Tremors.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery