JUNE 5, 2018 BY JEAN MELLANO
My body does not feel right. What am I going to do about it?
What has happened to me?
My quality of life was deteriorating due to my neurological issues. Along with poor fine motor skills on my left side and slowness of movement, I was constantly fatigued. This was a fatigue that no amount of quality sleep could ever satisfy. Additionally, I had internal tremors (not visible to the naked eye, but I always felt so weak and shaky). I thought for sure there must be some kind of “natural” solution to help cure what ailed me — one that did not involve prescription drugs.
My initial approach was to go to physical and occupational therapy and to continue my exercise regimen (weights, yoga, cycling, walking). This plan did not seem to slow disease progression or alleviate my symptoms. My depression and lack of motivation (other Parkinson’s disease symptoms) were also hindering me.
I can’t fight this alone, so drugs are an option
In March 2016, I finally agreed to try Azilect (rasagiline), a prescription medication. Two weeks later, my symptoms had not improved and I felt worse (dizzy and nauseous). So, off that medication and on to the next one, ropinirole. This time, it only took a few hours on the medication for me to become extremely sick with vomiting and a pounding headache. I immediately discontinued that medication.
Both my neurologist and primary care physician thought I should focus on treating my depression symptoms with a prescription medication. In August 2016, I tried Viibyrd (vilazodone HCI), an antidepressant. Within a few weeks, I was suffering from intense, gory nightmares every night with no improvement in my symptoms. At this point, I decided my PD symptoms may not be such a bad thing, and I refused to try any more medications.
I can’t fight this alone, but drugs are not an option
In October 2016, I attended a week-long workshop that focused on a plant-based diet. My diet needed a serious overhaul. The time was right to see if changing my eating habits would make a difference in the quality of my life. I was already a vegetarian, but I still loved my dairy products. I also loved sugar, pasta, and bread. These food items are known to potentially cause inflammatory responses in the body. Also, I have read that the neurodegeneration observed in PD is accompanied by inflammatory processes. If I added these two theories together, I believed a change to a gluten-free, no-sugar-added, vegan diet might help my PD symptoms.
A holistic doctor at the plant-based diet workshop I attended suggested I look into the Hinz Protocol for treating my PD. Dr. Marty Hinz developed an amino acid therapy that utilized natural dopamine powder from the Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean) plant in conjunction with other amino acids. I found a neurologist in New York City who endorsed this approach. After I returned home from the workshop, I maintained the strict diet and struggled with the Hinz Protocol. I say “struggle” because I suffered a lot of nausea. The doctor had to repeatedly adjust the dosages for the amino acid capsules and Mucuna pruriens powder to attempt to eliminate nausea and get symptom relief. Also, the cost of this protocol was hundreds of dollars per month and was not covered by insurance. I could handle the cost if my stomach had relief and my PD symptoms improved. However, that was not to be. After six months, I discontinued the Hinz Protocol.
The losses and the adjustments
I was starting to get very good at making adjustments when a PD symptom would impair me in some way. As an example, I find it difficult to put my coat on with my left sleeve first, so now I put my coat on with my right sleeve first. Or, since I can no longer feel where to put in my pierced earrings, I just make sure I have a mirror handy to see what I am doing. While waiting on a cashier’s line to check out, I make sure I have my money ready so I am not fumbling around in my purse and holding up the line. Wearing satin pajamas makes it easier to move around in bed at night. Being mindful of all my movements is critical so I do not trip, walk into things, or let things fall through my hands.
If my PD does not progress any further, I feel I can deal with the losses it has thrust upon me thus far. However, at times when I wake up in the morning, I think to myself, “What simple task will elude me today?” PD is a disease of loss, the loss of some of the most, mundane things in life many of us (including myself) take for granted. These include:
- Holding a purse or newspaper firmly under the arm
- Folding laundry
- Tying shoes
- Buttoning a shirt
- Putting on a seat belt
- Zipping a jacket
- Opening a package
- Cutting a salad
These are mindless tasks everyone does almost every day. Many of us with PD can no longer perform these daily rituals without assistance. If PD has not totally disabled us, some of us may still complete the task unassisted, but it requires intense concentration and focus on our part. It is almost as if we have reverted to being a child again.
Still struggling
It is now mid-2017. I continue to struggle with my worsening PD symptoms, and I am still not on any prescription medications.
All the “snake oil” solutions online make it even more difficult to find relief from my symptoms. On more than one of my PD-related blog posts, some unscrupulous individuals have responded with comments about the great herbal or vitamin supplement that has “cured” their PD. There are so many scammers out there, people and companies that prey on those who are so desperate for relief. I think I can speak for many of us with PD when I say we want to believe there is one thing that can help our symptoms or cure our disease, however, it is so difficult to separate what works and what doesn’t work.
Although I continue to exercise, meditate, and maintain my vegan diet, I fully realize I need more help.
Stop the roller coaster — I want to get off!
***
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2018/06/05/parkinsons-struggles-worsening-despite-best-efforts/
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