Category: Parkinson’s

Secret Code

What I don’t plan to keep secret is how I feel about LuminAloe. I believe it is improving my health and quality of life at the cellular level. Rather than writing out all the ways I see my life being impacted, I’d like to refer you to the Transparency page, at the top of each post, where I update my progress. So to see the improvements, you would need to scroll back and read it in reverse from …………….. to …………….. or look for the dates of each entry.

The Iceberg then Poof

I’m one of the lucky ones… I do not generally exhibit resting tremors. And although the traditional c/l doesn’t seem to help me, The agonist does…

We just got home from spending our morning at the Norman Fixel Institute for neurology, where I saw a speech therapist, occupational therapist, a physical therapist and then the Movement Disorder Specialist.

I hadn’t seen any of them for six months.. And across the board, all four of the specialists who saw me, said there was much improvement in my functioning over the last visit. The Movement Specialist went so far as to say… “There are different forms of Parkinson’s which progress at different rates. You must have a very mild case. You are looking GREAT! I don’t think we will need to see you for another year.”

I was gracious and thanked her for her time… But I was thinking, this is going to be an awesome testimony of the benefits of the ‘more comprehensive nutrition’ found in the LuminAloe. She is aware of my taking the LuminAloe, but not sold on it, yet. I figure next time I see her, in a year, I should have also had the benefits of the frequencies provided by the Currie… and I will be able to demonstrate the benefits of really good nutrition in a most convincing way. So Poof… my symptoms are going away!

Oh, my!!

One of my daughters called to ask me for links to group chats, or blogs for caregivers of people with Parkinson’s. I’m not sure if she was looking for a way to let people know what she had recently learned, or if she was looking for support. But what follows is a message from her… She works in a dental office.

“If your mom knows anyone with a DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) they should know it’s important to let their dental professionals know. “

“I didn’t know these things until my mom’s procedure No panel radiographs or MRI/CT (the image that goes around the head) A full set of individual radiographs is okay. No cords which produce power (drills, ultrasonic instruments, etc) should never cross the patients neck or chest. All of those mentioned can increase the frequency of the DBS signal to the brain. Luckily I’ve always accessed my cords from under the dental chair and never draped my cords on my patients. The cords should not come close to the neck (superficial cords run from the stimulator in the chest to the rods in the brain) “

Since I do not have DBS (deep brain stimulation), I do not know ; but I would presume the doctors give the information to the patient at the time when they sign up for the procedure. Perhaps the information needs to be taught to the care givers… or even inform the dentists. But it would still be the responsibility of the PwP or their caregiver to tell the dentist, because it isn’t obvious that a person has even received a DBS.

Why don’t you like me?

The title of this blog post is the name of the poem posted in a discussion group. Zella wrote earlier this week… “I thought my husbands poem might be suitable for Parkinson’s Awareness Day!”

To which LAJ responded… “I thought it was going to about a caregiver who thought their husband didn’t like them anymore, which is what it felt like before I knew what was happening due to the frozen face that seemed to glare at me all the time😟”

WHY DON’T YOU LIKE ME?

“When did it start?” the doctor said “The hate campaign that’s in your head”

It started out with a little thing A parcel neatly tied with string

I couldn’t get the knot undone It really wasn’t too much

The problem very quickly spread A champagne cork encased in lead

Just pull the corner, plastic tag It’s just like opening up a bag

But heat-Sealed cartons won’t comply They tear or shred, I wonder why?

They should open up for me Not stay tight shut. It’s misery

It cooks in minutes on the pack But opening it, I’ve lost the knack

It doesn’t work I can’t get in, This thing is going in the bin.

I’ve stabbed it with a table fork Tempers rise, I cannot talk.

Have all these packs developed hate For me no meals, note the date

But all my efforts are in vain Four broken nails what a pain.

I’ve tried with other simple things 10 pound note develops wings

It floats and flutters then it sighs. I’m out I’m out it loudly cries

It won’t go back without some force All my notes have changed their course

Why do all things hate me so? Why won’t they just go with the flow

Is it old age that treats me thus I can’t go on I’ll make a fuss

Coordination is the key Its making such a fool of me

Filing papers opening mail all tasks that I can fail

It was my mother that I told You take too long, it’s cause you’re old

Parkinson’s is such a sod For my old back another rod

I’d change the duvet if I could My fingers seem to change to wood

The pillowcase will not comply It really makes me want to cry

Zips and buttons stubbornly Are never like they used to be

Sometimes it really makes me laugh I seem not whole I’m cut in half

The half that works has disappeared The other half behaves quite weird.

It moves and shakes all on its own It will not do the things It’s shown

My life is turning into farce And Parkinson’s can kiss my arse

Written by…. John Smith

I am pleased

I am pleased to alert you to a new book published by some friends of mine. We met, because of the Parkinson’s group in the villiages. John and I attended one of their seminars and deffinitley learned some valuable information which has already been of great worth. I recommend it to both caregivers and PD warriors. Sue

A new book, “Our Parkinson’s Disease Instruction Manual: How to have a good life while coexisting with Parkinson’s disease” is now available at Amazon.com. It can be purchased as a digital download or as an 8 ½ x 10 inch printed book. The digital version can be read on a Kindle, tablet, computer, or smartphone. The digital version costs $4.95 or, if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, there is no charge. The printed version costs $ 11.95 plus tax.  Go to Amazon.com and search for “Our Parkinson’s disease Instruction Manual”.

Authors are fellow Villagers Edmund Smith and Jane Masterson. They have 25-years of experience with Parkinson’s disease and are frequent speakers in The Villages and other places where they give a seminar entitled “Ideas for Living Well with Parkinson’s Disease”.

The book covers the following subjects in 24-chapters: How to get great medical care, Learning from others, Exercise, Drugs, Electronic gadgets, Tricks to unfreeze, Speaking loudly and clearly, Making the home PD friendly, The bathroom, The bedroom, Urinary incontinence, Keeping the caregiver healthy, Assist devices, Increasing your mobility, Lift assist, Preparing for a visit to the hospital, Inpatient rehabilitation, Driving, Flying, Vacationing, Parkinson’s and pets. The book includes thirty-five photographs and twenty-five Internet links.

Melatonin

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Melatonin

Previously we discussed how melatonin can be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) at a dose as low as 10 mg / day. Recent studies are confirming that Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The relationship is not yet fully understood, but it is now clear that CVD is something that PwP need to be aware of and should be taking steps to try and prevent CVD from starting or advancing. Obviously CVD is problematic in other health issues as well as in the general public, but I will discuss how melatonin may be able to reduce the risk of CVD in PwP as well as in people in general.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32002576/

The following meta analyses discusses how PwP are at higher risk for CVD even though it was previously speculated that PwP were at lower risk because they present with fewer vascular risk factors for CVD and smoke less. Smoking is a risk factor for CVD. If your doctor, neurologist, movement disorder specialist or other healthcare professional has not informed you of this risk factor for CVD, now you know and can take steps to try and prevent or lessen your chances for getting CVD

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6130276/

We have melatonin in 3 mg. Which helps Rusty (the neurotic dog) calm down during thunder storms or when neighbor’s set off fireworks.

Although these excerpts I shared are more about CVD, I suspect 10 mg. melatonin might be worth a try for calming anxiety or provide relief for sleep issues which are frequently problems for PwP.

Conversation on ideation

Please read this discussion and offer your own thoughts. @mckchart said :

I asked the same question (why me ) but get one thing straight it’s not a death sentence so be very positive and make sure you don’t let it get you down ,many a famous person has thrown in the towel and done the unthinkable ,just make sure you have someone to talk to when things get on top of you …….Parkinson’s educator ( feel free to contact me )

……………………………… Here is @pdpatient’s response :

@mckchart, the “unthinkable” was excellently phrased by you and I couldn’t have said it better. However, you have inadvertently opened the proverbial pandoras box for some PwP’s such as me.

I was formally diagnosed in the early summer of 2014 by an MDS af the University of Columbia, NYC. I fell into a rut and things went ft bad to worse and I was contemplating the “unthinkable,” which I really hadn’t thought through. My son was 14 and my daughter was 9 and I was the only breadwinner of the family. My only concern for my family was that I would need to die in such a way that it could not be labeled as a suicide. I had my policy long enough, but I could not trust in the system to honor the payout for a suicide.

Around that time, my most favorite movie actor – Robin Williams had also received a bed diagnosis . I was devastated. Next thing I heard, he had committed suicide. Oops. I have said the “unthinkable,” but it is time for us to face the monster head on and find a way to make this widely known to PwP’s, newly diagnosed PwP’s and their families.

Thankfully, my family came to my rescue and I agreed to take powerful medications that brought me back from the brink. I survived and my family is doing well still. I am grateful to God and the Universe for everything that I have been fortunate to receive despite my perception that others are more deserving than I. After all there are almost 8 billion people on this planet and I am only one of the lucky ones that is still alive

I learned along the way that life doesn’t end with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. Every doctor that I have met has told me that I was not facing a death sentence. True. However, what they don’t say is that the possibility of suicide in newly diagnosed PwP’s is extremely high. This is an existential problem that is overwhelming in its impact and understated in its awareness.

Unfortunately, I am still haunted by the ghosts of this seemingly “easy way out” or so as it seems. It is a path chosen by many and it rears its ugly head once in a while when the symptoms get worse.

This is a topic that is ripe for involved and in depth discussion.

…………………………… P Bear’s response

I do not expect to do myself in over Parkinson’s. However, at one time I had an uncontrolled chronic pain condition that did cause suicidal ideation.

Each person’s circumstances are unique. It is important to tend to our responsibilities. That said, if someone’s health situation is such that they deem it fitting and proper to leave, it is not my place pass judgment on that decision.

I get that your mention of income is in the context of why it was appropriate for you to stay. However, income is not a measure of worthiness, and a more modest description would be preferable in my opinion.

……………………………. Sharon provided “

You might want to refer to this Korean study found in science direct.

sciencedirect.com/science/a…

“Suicide risk in PD patients is approximately 2 times higher than that in the general population. Psychiatric disorders, and also L-dopa medication need further attention with respect to suicide.”

Another good overview can be found in Neuropsychiatry Review

jnnp.bmj.com/content/90/7/822

“Suicide is consistently listed among the top 10 causes of death in the USA, with rates steadily climbing throughout the 21st century and reaching an annual rate of 13.4 deaths per 100 000 in 2016.6 7 It is a dominant cause of mortality among the elderly and persons with neurological diseases including stroke,9 Huntington’s disease10 and epilepsy.”

” Depression in particular is common in PD, with one meta-analysis suggesting that 17% of PwP suffer from major depressive disorder and 35% suffer from clinically significant depressive symptoms.”

In contrast, suicide is not a major cause of PD death (which are falls and pneumonia.)

Butyric Acid

Alternative Medicine Review has the article “The Potential of Butyric Acid as an Alternative Treatment for Parkinson’s” atlasbiomed.com “Could Parkinson’s Disease Begin in the Gut” states “butyrate producing bacteria less in PD.”

The man from the Parkinson’s News Today forum, Russ, said he uses T. E. Neesby brand Butyrex. The ingredients are: calcium 480mg, magnesium 240 mg, Butyric Acid 3.6 g. Having never heard of this brand I was apprehensive. But I have been so pleasantly surprised. Butyric Acid is a short chain fatty acid that helps the colon. I was concerned that it would not make it to my colon but perhaps it is because the improvement is very definite.

Oh and I want to add that On the same Parkinson’s News Daily forum, a wife shared that her husband has had significant improvements with mannitol. I started using it a few weeks ago figuring, what the heck, might as well try. I am suddenly smelling things I previously did not even know had a fragrance like my mascara!

…………………………………………………………………………….

Butyric acid naturally occurs in butter, hard cheeses (e.g., parmesan), milk (especially goat’s and sheep’s), yoghurts, cream, and in some other fermented foods (e.g. sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers, and fermented soy products) but in very small and insignificant amounts for gut health.

……………………………………………………………………………

I’ve read the theories that Parkinson’s begins in the gut. And among the foods that numerous sources say that the best diet for gut health includes a lot of fermented food I’ve also read that butyric acid is necessary in the colon to enable the probiotics we take be effective. But it is hard for me to eat enough fermentation to be effective. Therefore I was excited to learn about a supplement to enable me to increase my butyric acid consumption.

Just saying.. for what it is worth.