Neurology Now Magazine free to patients and caregivers.

[quirkyme]

Neurology Now magazine if funded by drug companies but does have some good articles on PD. (Most of them don't apply to PD anyway). You learn more about neurology in general. You can subscribe online. journals.lww.com/neurologyn...

[Hidden]

Only for folks in the USA, unfortunately... but the website is always there

[JohnPepper]

I have applied for a free subscription to this magazine with mixed feelings. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1992. After I got to know more about Pd, I realized that my first symptom had started in 1963, when I found that I could not throw a ball properly. It went all over the place. That symptom was followed very quickly by: Bad handwriting, Depression, Constipation, Speech problems, Libido problems, Chest infections (Caused by my body's inability to keep my lungs free of phlegm), Shuffling, Tremors, Memory problems, Coordination problems and more. Because I have done regular meaningful exercise since 1970, It took twenty nine years before my neurologist was able to diagnose the Pd. Since continuing to exercise regularly and take an MAO-b inhibitor as a monotherapy, my condition improved to such an extent, that in 2003 I was able to give up taking the medication and lead a perfectly normal life.

Because I chose to tell the world about my experience, I decided to write a book, which is now in its third edition under the title of "Reverse Parkinson's Disease". This book was received very well by Pd patients but was generally rejected by neurologists who, without having met or examined me, came out with their diagnosis that I do not have Pd, because there is no cure for Pd! I agree there is no cure for Pd, but we can take control of it, if we are prepared to put in the effort. I keep my Pd under control by regular meaningful exercise and managing stress levels. I am able to concentrate on my movements by consciously taking control of my walking and other arm movements, like bringing food to my mouth. I will never be able to convince other patients that I have been able to do these things if neurlogists tell their patients that I don't have Pd and therefore I am a fraud. I do not charge patients to show them how to do these things, which everybody is able to do.

I therefore have a very skeptical attitude towards neurlogists! If they are professionals, they would want to examine me before procaliming that I do not have Pd. I can understand the pharmaceutical industry not wanting to find a cure for any medical problem, it is not in their interests. They are in business to make money! Who isn't? However! The medical profession should be doing their best to help patients overcome medical problems, not trying to stop them from doing so.

I will read this magazine with an open mind and contribute, where possible, to changing attitudes towards the management of movement disorders.

[quirkyme in reply to JohnPepper]

My husband's PT wanted him to use a metronome when he walks. She said his ability to walk fast was still in there only some of the nerve connections were not working. We tried it in the clinic and he walked faster than he has in years. Anyway, today we tried the metronome (it was good but will take some work).

Partway through our walk he remembered being in ROTC in his first months of college. He couldn't keep the pace (a march) and got consigned to the back ranks. The alternative was to be part of the "Horribles"--characters in costumes who brought up the rear. This and other things I know about him lead me to suspect PD goes back to before birth.

[JohnPepper in reply to quirkyme]

Hi Quirkyme

Your husband was using his conscious brain to walk, when he used the metronome. That was just a cue. He can do just as well without the metronome, if he concentrates on the action of walking and does not just try and will his legs to move, as he has always been able to do in the past. The coscious brain is a very powerful tool, if only we would learn how to use it!

[quirkyme in reply to JohnPepper]

We walked many years without a metronome and he tends to go slow. One goal is to increase his pace and then his level of exercise. I think I know what you are talking about, just feel and enjoy the sense of movement. Ironically, he was a ballroom dancer in his youth with wonderful ease and grace.

[PatV]

I can believe you have it and you have it under control. In hindsight I had all the symptoms described. I even started to overcome some of the symptoms through vigorous ball room dance training and other exercise. It was only a severely traumatic event (the death of my son at age 36) (I was 62) that a symptom became so bad I started to require treatment. Many brain events have a spectrum, I believe. Great book called 'Shadow Syndromes' by Ratey and Johnson. Should have a chapter on PD. I'm inspired to write to the authors to suggest it!

[quirkyme]

PatV

I've seen that book Shadow Syndromes and think it is true. Two family members have Crohn's Disease and I have IBS.

[honeycombe3]

JohnPepper,

I'm glad you can control some symptoms by concentrating. I have tried & achieved some measure of control over certain symptoms, say tremor, but I find that the level of concentration required can be sustained for very short periods as I quickly get exhausted. Regarding exercise & fitness To increase stamina I sometimes whether I exist in another PD universe. My brain & muscles don't synchronise to enable meaningful exercise - I was under the impression that this a fundamental cause of PD along with accompanying fatigue.

Re Neurology Now I subscribed online some time ago following a reference on this site & I have found it informative without discernible bias from sponsors despite being aware that this might be a concern so I should not discourage anyone from trying it.