Category Archives: medications

Dad in the Hospital with Low Blood Pressure and Parkinson’s

The following questions were sent by Nancy:

Question:

Saw your interesting article on the internet last night. My Dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 10 years ago. He has been on the required medication, such as Levadopa and Requip, maybe some others. My most concern is the Requip.

He has been the hospital all week because of his low blood pressure. For some reason they don’t know what to do about it. I have been  told that the requip  causes low blood pressure. Can he safely get off of the stuff? And how?

Response:

Once a person starts taking medication, it is very tricky to stop. The body goes into a type of withdrawal. It is important to work closely with the doctors if the intent is to stop taking any Parkinson’s meditations (or reduce the dosage). It is not a smart idea to go cold turkey on the medications.

Question:

How can you tell if someone has been misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s?

Response:

Parkinson’s is a garbage can type diagnosis which means it covers a wide range of symptoms. Research estimates show that about one third of the people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s were misdiagnosed. This happens because there is no definitive test for it. Most doctors eliminate other possibilities – and if nothing is left – it is diagnosed as “Parkinson’s”.

Question:

Has all this medication put him in the condition he is in?

Response:

You can partially answer your own question by asking your pharmacist for the list of side effects from the medications he takes. If the symptoms he is experiencing are on the list, there is certainly a good possibility interactions of the medications might be the culprit.

There is also another problem that emerges when more than one medication is taken: drug interactions and depletions. Additional problems are caused sometimes when certain medications are combined. I refer people to Randy Mentzer who is a nutritional counselor and compounding pharmacist.

Randy does a full analysis of everything a person puts into their body, consults with the patients and writes up a detailed report of recommendations. He can sometimes make a natural medications that can substitute for the medication the person may be taking that is causing the problem.

Most medication doctors are not trained to do such an analysis. I might add it takes someone like Randy years and years to learn what these medications do and how they interact, It is a specialty in itself.

Question:

I see Parkinson’s patients and say to myself,

“My Dad does not act like that.”

Response:

How interesting, I always encourage people to trust their own intuition. It may be that it is time to entertain other possibilities.

Question:

Can a person safely get off of the medication to see if he really needs it at all?

Response:

As I mentioned above, weaning off of medications is a tricky business. You have to work very closely with your doctors and reduce the dosages very slowly and cautiously.

Question:

Just would like your opinion be and what can I do for him?

Response:

I am not a medical doctor, so I can only offer my “opinion” if this were my Dad. To be clear, I am not suggesting you do these things! This is only what I would do if this were my Dad.

First, I would do everything in my power to get my Dad out of the hospital with the doctors’ blessings. There are many bacteria floating around hospitals these days, so people can get sicker sometimes because of exposure to new infections.

Second, I would get a consultation with Nutritional Counselor and Compounding Pharmacist Randy Mentzer for my Dad.

Third, I would order a bioenergetic assessment from Dr. Ivy Faber (which would likely point to possible causes of the symptoms).  There is more information about bioenergetic assessments on the Parkinsons Recovery website (www.parkinsonsrecovery.com).

Fourth, I would get a consultation with a naturopathic doctor.

Fifth, I would do everything possible to make sure my Dad was eating live foods.

Sixth, I would do something for my self as his son, so I could have some distance from the urgency of the problem at hand. If I am in fear as his son, it will do him no good whatsoever.

All of the above steps make it possible to approach the crisis in different ways, to step outside the box so to say. I am confident your current doctors are doing everything possible to help your Dad out, but specialists look at problems from the perspective of their own specialty. That is what they are trained to do!

If I were in your shoes,

  • I would begin thinking about the problem from different perspectives.
  • I would involve other health care practitioners in addition to the neurologists.
  • I would remind myself that the body always knows how to heal itself.

Give the body what it needs to come back into balance and your Dad’s body will take care of the rest.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Weekly Reader
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas
Symptom Tracker

Books

Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations to Relieve Stress
Stop Parkin’ and Start Livin’

Parkinsons Recovery Radio Interview with John Coleman

I received a copy of the e-mail below to John Coleman from Kumar which refers to my interview with John on my radio program which aired July 16, 2009. If you visit Parkinsons Recovery Radio you can scroll back to my interview with John in July and listen. The programs are listed in the order they were aired.

Kumar has given me permission to  post his letter which was actually sent to John Coleman, ND. I love to post such letters – whether they are addressed to me or someone else  because it is energizing and motivating to see what other people are doing to get wonderful relief from their symptoms.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Dear John Coleman, ND:

I just heard the interview with Dr. Rodgers and the questions and answers. It was fascinating. I was happy you gave so much importance to meditation. I have been meditating for the last two decades, praying to the Lord in the form of devotional singing and giving importance to spiritual exercises under capable Masters but yet I was diagnosed to be suffering from PD about three years back. However I have continued all these along with medications which is syndopa plus(Levodopa 100mg + carbidopa 25 mg) 1.5 tablets four times a day and the dopamine agonist Ropark 2 mg three times a day as prescribed by the neuro physician.

I am feeling quite fine. Tremors have reduced significantly. I can walk at a stretch for 30 min with both arms swinging and climb staircases without any support since this was the severe problem I suffered with last month since I was falling backwards while climbing staircases and also while moving horizontally at home and other places. Add to this hallucinations and uneasy feeling on the back of the head which are no longer there.

The present improved condition is due to two weeks of hospitalisation for drug optimisation, physiotherapy done both at home and the hospital for coordination, balancing, muscle strengthening involving cycling, rowing, weight lifting for both arms and lower limbs and exercise on the tread mill for slow walking with longer steps. Beside these I have also been doing exercises prescribed by Dr. Roberts from the Internet which are also helpful. I taught some of these exercises to the physios attending on me.

I am eagerly waiting for the Aquas hydration formula which has not arrived yet even after 24 days after ordering the same. In the mean while I am trying  my best to drink 8 glasses of water everyday.

I would like to share a simple technique here which we call evening cleaning. After the day’s work when we are relaxed, we seat ourselves in a comfortable seat erect and at a quiet place, take the thought once only in the beginning that all complexities, negativities, fears, darkness, grossness, disease and recently added toxins are leaving our body from behind in the form of smoke and sit quietly for 30 min using your will power but not meditating. You feel highly refreshed and empty after doing this.

I am in the process of writing my Life history in brief which I will send it to you after I have finished.

Once again, it was wonderful listening to you.

Kumar

Parkinson’s Disease Medications

Question:

Firstly, of course you are most welcome to  quote my letter as signed Robert W (London)

Secondly your book and Meditations are proving thoroughly uplifting and sustaining. Before I found your site were the Dark Ages but thanks to yourself I am on the Road to Recovery and the New Renaissance.

Thirdly I’ve been rather perturbed by reading two books by Janice Walton- Hadlock of pdrecovery.org. By virtue of the similarity of site-name I Guess you must know of her.

My worry is that by putting myself on the Road to Recovery, obviously I am going to want to wean myself off the drugs that I’m on, as indeed John Coleman said he had done. But do I risk being  one of the unlucky minority for whom the cocaine-like addiction to the meds stirs in vengeance and smashes  back at me? I realize that you can’t act as a doctor advising on medicines, and also I’m sure that you are very watchful in not antagonizing the stealthy gods of the Pharmaceutical industry.

However it is a deep undiscussed issue which worries me enormously I hope you might be able to air somehow on your Radio show. Could you even invite Janice on to discuss the issue?

Robert W (London)

Response:

I have forwarded a request for Janice to be a guest on my radio show. I know she is very busy, but I hope she accepts. She has years and years of experience with this issue at her clinic.

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

Exciting News about Recovery Progress

What follows is a letter which reports exciting progress of recovery that I have permission to post.  This letter was a most wonderful and very unexpected birthday present that I received several days ago.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

I just wanted to share with you that my neurologist was completely impressed with your website. We went online during my appt. and I told him you had offered a free membership and he said he would be contacting you.

He is awesome- absolutely the most open M.D. I have ever met. I said you weren’t saying that this was a cure for parkinsons, but that you were saying a person could become symptom free and he said,

“Yes you can!”

He mentioned that many of his patients ask him what they can do to reduce symptoms and he tells them good nutrition, exercise, meditate, etc. That is the beauty of your site. You have done all the work and a wonderful job organizing everything — all we have to do is turn the computer on! The first thing he said to me is,

“Have you been working out a lot? You look great!”

That felt really good. I have made vast improvements in such a short time. However, I need to keep working hard and reduce my meds more as I am having a lot of very restricting dyskinesia again – that is my signal to reduce. My doctor was also impressed with my med reduction. I have totally eliminated 3 drugs and reduced one, I have cut my l-dopa (mucuna) dose by 50% 1st than another 25% of that and now it’s time again. I just want to thank you for all that you have done and are doing- remember to take a break sometime!

Sincerely,

Turtle

Medical Specialities for Parkinson’s

There are many alternatives to consider when searching for therapies and treatments that provide relief from the symptoms of Parkinson’s. I will preview several by way of opening up ideas for where you can search to find relief.

One of the places that is familiar to most people today is western medicine, a specialty among many other possible specialties that can be considered. Western medicine treats symptoms with prescription drugs and surgery. This approach for treating illness has become a commonly accepted method of treating disease for about 100 years now.

It is losing some of its popularity because of the side effects of the medicines and the consequences of surgeries. It is important to remember,  however, that the mainstream medication specialty is precisely what some people need to jump start their recovery program.

Thank goodness the western medicine specialty is stringently regulated. Prescription medicines make molecular changes to the cellular structure of the body.  Most prescription medicines have significant side effects. This is why Federal Drug Administration (or a similar agency in other countries) legally regulates the prescription and sale of all prescription drugs. Stringent certifications are required for the medical doctors who prescribe the meditations and for the pharmacists who sell them.

The standard treatment approach in western medicine is to perform diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the symptom.  Unfortunately administration of the tests can of course take months and require considerable expense. Unfortunately, the diagnostic tests sometimes cause illnesses in their own right.

After determining a diagnosis, the standard approach is to prescribe medications or surgery. If the medications and/or surgery succeed in alleviating the symptoms, the treatment is declared a success. If  unsuccessful, the treatment is suspended in search of an alternative drugs or surgeries that are hoped will provide relief.  Sometimes medical doctors have to go back to the drawing board to consider other diagnoses. Some people have a long list of diagnoses for a variety of symptom sets.

The western approach to medicine works beautifully for some people and some symptoms. For other people and other symptoms, such treatments can be disappointing. Many people prefer this specialty over other alternatives. Others use both.

There are also a wide variety of other specialties that offer the potential to provide relief which rely on natural methods to heal the body. An  advantage of such specialties is that they have been practiced for many thousands of years with great success. The worst side effect you are likely to  experience when using natural therapies is improved health on some level.

The number of specialties other than western medicine is extensive: homeopathy, acupuncture, herbs, meditation, energy healing, physical therapy, tai chi, chi gung, naturopathy, exercise, hypnosis, counseling therapy, nutrition, body work – you name it. This is the short list.  Most of these specialties have been practiced for thousands and thousands of years. The standard approach to illness in the United States was to use homeopathic remedies until the beginning of the 20th century, a time when most of us today were not living.

Many people get a huge advantage when they use a combination of specialties.  Why? When used in combination, the benefits from using the treatments from more than one specialty are usually synergistic.

In the countless interviews I do with individuals who have the symptoms of Parkinson’s I am overwhelmed with what people do that helps – not just a little – but a lot.

May you open the door to consider what all specialties have to offer. That is what I have been doing with my own research strategy and I am unearthing unbelievable discoveries which you can read about in the Parkinsons Recovery newsletters and hear on the Parkinsons Recovery radio program.

Join me with investigating other specialties that have the potential to help you feel a lot better. The people who are getting great relief from their symptoms are willing to experiment with many different specialties. The sky is the limit. The potential for healing is limitless.

Pain and Parkinson’s Disease

Question:

Although this topic may have come up before, we haven’t gotten yet a satisfactory answer.  The question is whether you have found pain to be a significant symptom in people with other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and if so, what they do to find relief.

The second question is whether in people who take L-dopa, it is common for them to feel worse 20-45 min after taking the medication before finding relief.  Any suggestions or information you have on these two related questions would be very much appreciated.

Response:

Pain:

Yes, I have received many reports from people who report pain is a very troubling symptom for them among others. First, from what I have learned, people get relief from pain by meditating. Meditation allows them to override all of the thinking that surrounds the “meaning” of the pain. We all put a head on top of our head, which makes the experience worse. That is one reason I have been motivated to record the weekly series of meditations.

Second, my observation is that there is typically a thought form that is buried beneath the pain. Once that is cleared and released, the pain resolves. I will be interviewing Deborah Russell on the radio program next month who will be explaining how quantum healing is useful in this regard.

Third, a source of the pain is often unreleased trauma. Using one body therapy or another (we use cranio-sacral) helps with releasing trauma. Other therapies are helpful as well. Once the trauma is released, the pain resolves (if trauma is the primary causal factor)

Fourth, I just interviewed Lee Bender this morning who has had a considerble challenge with pain over the years. It is interesting you just happened to write in today! Go to Lee’s website and you will see what he does to get relief from his pain. I will be airing his interview next month.

Timing of Medications

As for the timing of the medications – this  is a tough one. Most people tell me that when they work closely with their doctor, they can adjust their medications so that the down time is minimized. I wonder about the reason for the emergence of pain before the meditations kick in. Perhaps the body is in a suspended state of withdrawal until the  new dose starts to work. Perhaps there is a temporary flare up of inflammation.

I hope others have their own two cents to offer so we can shed some light on this particular challenge.

Parkinson’s Supplements

Question:

You must be most certainly aware of Dr. Mukesh Paneri,an ayurvedic doctor from Ahmedabad, India. His website is www.drpaneri.com

He claims to have cured more than 50 patients from Parkinsons Disease and 122 well on their way to recovery. I would like to know how genuine and authentic are his claims before progressing further. I am eagerly waiting for your reply.

Srinivasan

Response:

I have been trying to arrange an interview with Dr. Paneri for a year but I have thus far not succeeded. I have talked with several people who have received his treatment. Results of my investigations to date are reported in my book, Pioneers of Recovery.

This is the first I have heard that he reports specific numbers of persons who are symptom free. It would be wonderful if he is now meticulously tracking the recovery of his patients.

My own feeling about “cures” is that no one else cures us of anything. We cure ourselves. I do know from my interview with Nathan Zakheim (who reports a full recovery from Dr. Paneri’s treatments in Pioneers of Recovery) that Dr. Paneri uses an Ayurvedic approach which requires a very strict dietary intake of food. His treatment involves much more than simply taking herbs or supplements which he sends his patients from his clinic in India.

He is the fifth generation in his family of people who have worked with people with Parkinson’s. You are clearly dealing with someone who has intimate knowledge of the symptoms. I understand that he does consultations with his patients by phone.

I do not know whether the claims you report above are “valid” or documented. I have talked with people who have used his services who report feeling  better as a result. I suspect that like all possibilities, some people respond favorably to his therapies and some do not. I have no direct evidence to this effect. I only have results of my own investigations on many other therapies and treatments.

Everyone has to find the path of recovery that works for them.  I have not found a therapy yet that has a positive impact on everyone. I do know that if you commit to working with Dr. Paneri, you have to have a strong commitment to get better and you must be willing to make significant changes in your diet and life style. I suspect a reason people do feel better is because they begin to watch the food they eat much more mindfully.

If you decide to receive his treatments, please let us all know how it turns out! We would all love to hear from you.

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

Lithium and Parkinson’s

Below is a question I received from Carol which  is asked of everyone.  Please comment if you have any experience with the drug she is asking about.

Robert Rodgers, PhD
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Question:

My doctor just recommended a very low dose of lithium  for neuroprotection. Does anyone have experience with this?

Carol

How do I Jump Start My Recovery Program?

Question:

As I told you on the broadcast you held this week past:  I AM LISTENING TO YOU!  I am tired if feeling bad EVERYDAY!!
 
Since reading this today I WANT TO GET OFF MY ARTIFICIAL MEDS but don’t know exactly what to replace them.  I have beefed up my immune system starting 1-3 months with CoQ10-12mgs/daily, Vit E- 32mgs/daily; Vit C-300mgs/ daily along with MACUNA – 50% L-Dopa……….ALL NATURAL MEDS provided by God…. I am currently on Carbidopa-Levodopa – 50/200 4Xdaily, Mirapex-1.5mg/3 X daily, Benicar (B/P) 40/12.5mg daily………….how do I do this safely to not FREEZE, SHAKE to death, toes CURLING UNDER to lots of pain thigh and knee pain,,,,,,,etc…….
 
I have begun MOSTLY vegetarian diet, high fiber, fish, eat most daily intake of protein end of day, etc……..
 
I hear so much – even following Michael J Fox these past couple weeks on television – but feel mainly confused BUT DETERMINED to RECOVER FROM PARKINSONS.
 
I have very little money due to EXTRAORDINARY business / personal financial loss so I have difficulty even committing to John Coleman’s $49/ 12-step deal.
 
 Are you in a position to advise me how I can JUST START recovery now ——– rather than later?
 
Regards
Joan

Response:

You have taken the most important step. You have set the clear intention to heal. Our thoughts are the most powerful force in the universe, so by eliminating negative thought forms and establishing for yourself a clear commitment to heal, good things are happening.

Healing does not happen tomorrow or next year. It is happening now, in this very moment. It happens as a benefit of your thoughts and your actions. Stay tuned to my weekly radio program. You will hear suggestions there that will help you now. Your body knows how to heal itself. You just have to listen.

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

How to Eliminate Medicine Side Effects

I am interviewing John Briggs, a naturopath physician, who gives many practical suggestions for how to get relief from symptoms of Parkinsons. I also talk about a powerful way to eliminate the side effects of medicines. 

Listen to the program over phone by calling 347-945-5358 at 11:00 am pacific time – Thursday, April 16th or listen in here. 

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

Parkinson’s Freezing and Parkinson’s Medications

Question:

I have had Parkinsons for 18 0r more years. My problem is locking up, can’t move.

Example: If I’m keying in on an object, trying to carry something, I will lock up and have to struggle to move.  Once moving I’m better until I stop;then I struggle all over again. Is this a side effect of medication I take?  Jack

Response:

It is certainly the case that medications for Parkinsons have many side effects. You are wondering whether the side effects of the medications you are currently taking might be causing the freezing.

By way of investigating this issue, I recommend that you ask your pharmacist for the drug sheets on all medications that you currently take. Drug companies are actually quite good about reporting all the possible side effects. It is their legal obligation. If you see freezing listed as a side effect on the drug sheet disclosure, then you have the answer to the question you are asking here.

I would speculate that even if medication is contributing to the freezing that you are currently experiencing it is probably not the sole factor at play here. I had a fascinating interview with Kevin Lockette, a physical therapist, that was posted on this website last week. I recommend you listen to the teleseminar. Kevin talks about the importance of posture in facilitating movement.

In working with people ourselves, we have noticed that changing positions akways helps people get unstuck. If you move from side to side after freezing it usually helps. If you focus on your  destination, it helps.

The reason for freezing is that the energy required for fluid movement gets totally blocked because of how you are standing and holding your body. Another way of saying this is that the center of balance gets shifted too far forward.

When you think about the challenge of freezing as a center of gravity issue it is much easier to address. You can do something about being stuck in the moment. If you are thinking freezing is being caused by medications you take, then you may be less likely to think about immediate shifts in your balance that can help tremendously.

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

Drug Interactions and Drug Side Effects

Question:

Are there any side effects from Parkinson’s medicine? 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.                         
                                        
Response:

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 side effects from Parkinson’s medications? Yes. There are many. And, the true challenge of it all is that many of the side effects are the same as the symptoms of Parkinson’s when a person does not take medications.

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.

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.

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.

I am told by Randy Mentzer who is a pharmacist and certified nutritional counselor that there is a very good chance of drug interactions when you take three medications and a 100% chance of interactions when you take five or more medications.

It is a good idea for people taking multiple medications to have analysis done by someone like Randy 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 that know about drugs who 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.

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 someone like Randy who can do a thorough and individual analysis for you.  

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

© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery

Medication Side Effects and Parkinson’s Disease

Question:

I have been diagnosed with Parkinsons almost four years ago. My main symptom is tremor. Some days are better than others. I am not taking any medications.

Every year we go to Hippocrates Health institute for detox. At home I am on almost vegeterian diet. I drink green juices, algae as well as taking enzymes and whole food supplements. I walk every day 3 -4 miles, do yoga and gentle therapies as feldenkrais. Over the years my condition has not changed much.

As I understand medications don’t really treat the disease. Am i doing the right thing by not taking any medications?

Response:

One man who had been recently diagnosed with Parkinsons told me his neurologist recommended that he hold off taking medications until the time comes (if it does) that you have to have something. Why did his neurologist recommend this cautious approach?

The levodpa medication for Parkinson’s works miracles for some people for a short period of time. Some people tell me the honeymoon lasted 6 months (or less). Others say the honeymoon lasted longer – 2 years or even more.

It is inevitable however that the honeymoon will come to an end and the drug will start to become less and less effective. Usually this means that a neurologist or general practitioner will prescribe larger and larger doses for you to take over time. Most people eventually have to take doses more frequently.

The “on” times (when you feel good) become shorter and shorter. This confound of the medication is typically addressed by prescriptions from neurologists who usually prescribe larger and/or more frequent doses during the day.

As you state, the medications do not address the underlying causes of the condition. They only address the symptoms.  

The unfortunate consequence is that more and more of the drug circulates throughout the body. The result is dyskinesia (involuntary muscle gyrations and jerking). This symptom is not the direct consequence of Parkinson’s per se. It is a side effect of the medications.  

Let me stress that some people have told me that the medications have given them their life back. They have been able to begin functioning and, in some cases, reduce their medications. So, any outcome is possible.

Clearly, there is no standard operating procedure for anyone who is diagnosed with the symptoms of Parkinson’s. What works for you may flop for someone else. Some people start on  medications and it does absolutely nothing for them. Others get sick from the side effects. Still others are ready to walk on water. Everybody is different.   

Are up doing the right thing by not taking medications at this time? By your own report, the answer has to be yes! Let me first qualify my answer by reminding you that I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to advise you specifically about medications or individual treatments. My approach is strictly from a research perspective. 

Why do I think you are doing the right thing by not taking medications at this time? You are not getting worse. Your symptoms have been stable for four years. The drug studies follow the “progression” of Parkinsons of people who are on medications. Findings across studies are consistent. Studies report an average gradual decline of functions of approximately 3-4% a year.

This means that relative to people who have elected to take medications, you are on average 12-16% better off today than had you begun taking medications 4 years. 

Let me stress this is an average. The variation in symptoms across studies is very large.  

I am continually generating alternatives for people to experiment with which involve various herbs, supplements or or natural remedies. Why?

Such alternatives tend to have fewer side effects than levodopa and some of the other prescription drugs. Some of these herbs and supplements enhance the effectiveness of the medication, making it possible to take less over time (rather than more).  Everybody is different. 

Your recovery program is solid. It is consistent with what other people tell me gives consistent relief from their symptoms.  The challenge now is to dig deeper to find the underlying cause of your symptoms so that you can shift from “no change” to “positive improvement.”  

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery

Parkinson’s Medication, Treatment and Recovery

Questions:

I would like to know more about the recovery program.

What products are available though your organization?

Do you recommend Zandopa? What homeopathic products can / should one use? I am considering the membership, but I am not so sure how beneficial it is. Your-e-mails are excellent, I love to read them. I live in Canada BC and I might not have access to any clinic which is similar than yours.

I really believe that my body can heal itself if I give it a chance – right support.

Response:

Thanks for your email inquiring about Parkinsons Recovery. As for membership, I recommend that you visit the website daily for a month and just see if the visits are helpful. 

 Logon to the website here:

 http://www.member.parkinsonsrecovery.com/amember/login.php

username: recover
password: ready

Information is updated daily. The idea is that recovery is a process, so when you visit the website every day, you are setting the intention to get well. 

Parkinsons Recovery products are listed on the member website. Click on the picture of books. I am always adding new products every month. I just released a series of meditations which you can also hear on the member website by clicking on the meditation icons once you land on the member web site.

As for recommendations of medications, I have to roll over dead so to speak. I am not a medical doctor and so am not qualified to speak to that specific question. Rather, I am a researcher and can tell you a lot about what people do to get great relief from their symptoms. 

Be sure to read the side effects of any medications you take. Often what you may think are the symptoms of Parkinsons are actually the side effects of medications you are taking. That news is a relief to many people!

I am so happy to hear you find my newsletters helpful. Be sure to listen to the interviews and the teleseminars this month. Some awesome information is coming through. 

I do know that recovery requires patience and commitment. It happens for people who are determined to make it happen. 

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

Parkinson’s Medications

Question:
 
My meds were changed recently from Mirapex 1 mg.4 x per day
and Stalevo  100 mg. 5 -6 x per day as needed.
Now I take stalevo, sinemet, and Activet on rising,
then 16 mg of Repex in the mid morning.  Then I might
need another 2 doses of stalevo and one more dose of
Sinemet before bed. 

I don’t feel all that great in fact I have a much worse
time being off in the morning, hard and very depressed
at the same time.
 
any thoughts??
 
Response:
 
It is really inappropriate for me to comment on your
medications since I am not a medical doctor. I am not
qualified to make suggestions with regard to medications
or dosages. Most medications do have serious side effects
which could possibly account for why you are feeling so poorly.
 
I strongly suggest you have a nutritional consultation done.
Click on the link below to hear an interview with Randy
Mentzer who talks about some of the issues with drug interactions
and nutrient depletions when multiple medications are taken.
Randy explains that when 5 medications are taken, there is
almost a 100% chance of drug interactions and/or depletions. 

http://www.instantteleseminar.com/Default.asp?eventid=4225818
 
Randy offers long distance consultations. My personal 
suggestion is to use him. He is a pharmacist and a nutritional
counselor. Randy is the most gifted person I know in this area.
Believe me, it took me a long time to find a person with Randy’s
ability to look at the big picture.  He is incredible.   

Most importantly, consult with someone you trust about
possible drug interactions and nutrient depletions. It obviously
does not have to be Randy. 
 
All the best
 
Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2008 Parkinsons Recovery