Still in shock

[Nancy D]

I was diagnosed with PD one year ago August. I am 58 and I think I actually had it 2 years before that. I am very independent and active and now I am very afraid that will all be taken away from me. I cannot stand taking medication with all of it's side effects. I am trying to find out if anyone believes of any natural remedies to slow down the effects of PD. I am trying to eat healthy and exercise. I know stress really has an effect on my symptoms. Does anyone have any suggestions on natural.....holistic......remedies? I would love to hear from you.
Also, Lianna thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[bobct]

Nancy,
We all understand since we've been there. Being diagnosed myself 2 years ago was very traumatic even though I suspected I had the disease for 5 years prior to that. It also seems to be prevalent in my father's side of the family. We went through very difficult years when my father had it so my diagnosis was doubly disturbing. However, that experience made me decide I would deal with the PD differently than my father could due to the limited solutions available to him at the time.

I, too, have difficulty with many medications and their side effects. Since I am in the early stages of PD and not on meds, I have opted to try non-conventional treatments. After some research on the internet, I have decided to try some experiments with fava beans which are high in natural L-dopa. Like all treatments, there are drawbacks and serious cautions such as the rare but dangerous reaction to the beans called favism. There are several other natural sources L-dopa as well.

Education is your greatest weapon and empowers you. Read all you can about PD and understand the subtle varieties of the symptoms you are manifesting. Since PD manifests in many different symptoms and each treatment effects certain symptoms more so than others, it's important you understand what your body is telling you. For example, my PD has less of tremors and more stiffness and loss of fine motor control. Others are exactly the opposite.

You're already on the right track with healthy eating and especially exercise. For me exercises, some from the net and others I make up myself are crucial for maintaining flexibility. I can't emphasize exercise more. It's probably as important as any medicine you'll opt for. You can even contact physical therapists, many now becoming familiar with therapy treatments that work for PD patients. Insurance might even cover it, although mine doesn't, hence my designing my own exercise plan.

I'll be sharing my fava bean results with the group in the coming weeks. I've decided to have my PD be my stimulus to empowerment. "Even if I knew for certain the world would end tomorrow, I would plant a tree today.'- Martin Luther

Bobct

[Pauline]

Originally Posted by Nancy D

I was diagnosed with PD one year ago August. I am 58 and I think I actually had it 2 years before that. I am very independent and active and now I am very afraid that will all be taken away from me. I cannot stand taking medication with all of it's side effects. I am trying to find out if anyone believes of any natural remedies to slow down the effects of PD. I am trying to eat healthy and exercise. I know stress really has an effect on my symptoms. Does anyone have any suggestions on natural.....holistic......remedies? I would love to hear from you.
Also, Lianna thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hi Nancy my name is Pauline and I was diagnosed with PD in Jan, I am still in shock and I guess like you Iam having troube dealing with it and Iam afraid to lose my independance my hobby is stained glass and I hate the thought of having to give it up . I am 58 and I thought I was to young to have it but I have learned that I am not to youg there is even younger
well hope to hear from you bye Pauline

[Gail]

Originally Posted by bobct

Nancy,
We all understand since we've been there. Being diagnosed myself 2 years ago was very traumatic even though I suspected I had the disease for 5 years prior to that. It also seems to be prevalent in my father's side of the family. We went through very difficult years when my father had it so my diagnosis was doubly disturbing. However, that experience made me decide I would deal with the PD differently than my father could due to the limited solutions available to him at the time.

I, too, have difficulty with many medications and their side effects. Since I am in the early stages of PD and not on meds, I have opted to try non-conventional treatments. After some research on the internet, I have decided to try some experiments with fava beans which are high in natural L-dopa. Like all treatments, there are drawbacks and serious cautions such as the rare but dangerous reaction to the beans called favism. There are several other natural sources L-dopa as well.

Education is your greatest weapon and empowers you. Read all you can about PD and understand the subtle varieties of the symptoms you are manifesting. Since PD manifests in many different symptoms and each treatment effects certain symptoms more so than others, it's important you understand what your body is telling you. For example, my PD has less of tremors and more stiffness and loss of fine motor control. Others are exactly the opposite.

You're already on the right track with healthy eating and especially exercise. For me exercises, some from the net and others I make up myself are crucial for maintaining flexibility. I can't emphasize exercise more. It's probably as important as any medicine you'll opt for. You can even contact physical therapists, many now becoming familiar with therapy treatments that work for PD patients. Insurance might even cover it, although mine doesn't, hence my designing my own exercise plan.

I'll be sharing my fava bean results with the group in the coming weeks. I've decided to have my PD be my stimulus to empowerment. "Even if I knew for certain the world would end tomorrow, I would plant a tree today.'- Martin Luther

Bobct

I will be very interested in hearing about your fava beans. I think I was put on medication too soon. I was diagnosed and sent home with requip. My symptoms seem to worsen after I started the medication. I have stiffness and am losing fine motor skills, but don't suffer from tremors either. I am hesitant to experiment while I am still working, but once I retire, I would like to try something natural.

[harding51]

I don't know if it is legal where you live but have you tried medical marijuana I have heard that helps

[unborn]

I have been on WSN B12 for over a year now, 1000mg 3 times a day. I know it keeps my tremers down and keeps me more calm.

Stress makes PD worse.

Ruth

[heather]

Hi Ruth
sorry but can you tell me what W S N B12 is

we give patient's B12. 3 monthly for pernicious anemia

I found

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[norma g martinez]

hi
im new also and still in shock but it really gets alittle
easier just take a day at a time. and dont let it get you
down,easier said than done i know.
norma

[tinkerbell]

hi,

i was diagnosed in august 2006 i am 45 and am starting to come to terms with it even though it is hard. i have tried several different medications and am still learning really. so nancy d you are not alone we are all in the same boat.
i was afraid of losing my independance and still am, but you just learn to adjust. it is not easy but i think you have to learn to accept help when it is offered, the only thing i can think of naturally is vit b.
all the best tinkerbell

[heather]

Originally Posted by norma g martinez

hi
im new also and still in shock but it really gets alittle
easier just take a day at a time. and dont let it get you
down,easier said than done i know.
norma

hi Norma
hope you are on a good day
like you said it does get easier
I think one of the best things posted on hear, but i can't remember who said it
PD is a uninvited guest,

and as a uninvited guest ,i say" you don't make your self comfortable in our lives"
If something is not right, i don't wonder if it's Jim illness, i just ignore it and treat him as if he was not ill, this is my opinion , i just feel if i put everything down to his illness, then it's winning ,and all we will be doing is living and breathing his illness, I also stand back and think he is 65years [ my sugar daddy 6yearsolder than me] would this be happening anyway
I think we can be quick to put things down to illness, when it could be age
I do no that some things will be his illness , but some not
hope that makes sense