Has any PWP had experience with Dr. Daniel Amen?

[kommandokate]

My therapist recommends his treatments and clinics which are expensive and long term.

Any information or evaluation is appreciated.

Blessings

Kate

[MBAnderson]

Hi Kate,

When you say expensive, it sounds like your insurance won't cover it.

I've watched his TED talk twice last year and found it quite interesting, but my comments are not directed at him in specific, but are more generic.

If you have Parkinson's, you're going to have at the rest your life, so I don't understand why his providing long-term care counts as a credential. No matter who you see, it's going to be long term.

Basically, there are 2 therapies that anyone can offer PWP. 1) pharmaceuticals, and, 2) everything else -- which is mostly nutrition/diet/supplements & lifestyle (sleep hygiene, stress management, social engagement, exercise, etc.)

I don't believe there's any evidence that shows SPECT scans provides any useful information to PWP. Certainly it is not FDA approved for diagnosis or treatment and, anyway, you don't need diagnosis or confirmation of diagnosis -- so why pay for it?

Since his reputation is built around SPECT scans, I would ask him how much he charges for them and what information they would provide a PWP. Motion disorder specialist do not use SPECT scans to inform them as to what pharmaceuticals to prescribe.

So if you're going to take pharmaceuticals, unless he is a motion disorder specialist, I would not expect him to knows as much about Parkinson's pharmaceuticals as does a MDS.

If you are inclined to consider nonpharmaceutical therapies, this forum or a naturopathic doctor can provide more information then will a mainstream/traditional doctor.

In other words, since he is expensive and long-term, what are you getting for your money that you cannot get from any other traditional (much less expensive, i.e., covered by insurance) doctor or any other viable source of nonpharmaceutical information?

Just food for thought.

marc

[MBAnderson in reply to MBAnderson]

PS. When I was watching his TED talk I thought at the time he was a little full of himself.

Wikipedia says, "Amen has built a profitable business around the use of SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging for purported diagnostic purposes.[6] His marketing of SPECT scans and much of what he says about the brain and health in his books, media appearances, and marketing of his clinics has been condemned by scientists and doctors as lacking scientific validity and as being unethical, especially since the way SPECT is used in his clinics exposes people to harmful radiation with no clear benefit.[7][8][9][10]"

[Hidden in reply to MBAnderson]

Nice. He'll fit right in here at HU

[NRyan in reply to Hidden]

I have been on this site for several years. There has been plenty of disagreement among members, which is healthy for the group. Not one person ever brought such negativity to this site as you do. It is toxic and unhealthy for us all. This is a place for people looking for health....through conventional and unconventional ways. Take your judgments somewhere else. If you have something to contribute that would benefit our members....it is welcome. We all have enough on our plates. For most of us, Parkinsons is only one of the many burdens we are bearing. Stress is terrible for us PwP. I see you simply don't get that, or don't care. Either way, please stop the nasty, negative comments to members. This group has been used as a support for all of us for years, you are breaking down this vital support we have come to rely on. I am beginning to consider leaving this group to avoid your negativity. I wish you find peace in yourself. You have our compassion, reach out for help and we will respond.

[Hidden in reply to NRyan]

It was quite clearly a joke. If it caused you great distress i am sorry about that, if you report the post they will consider deleting it.

Otherwise, i dont agree with your characterisations and actually think you are being a bit of a hypocrite. Here's an example of where YOU were profoundly negative about something promosing simply because the evidence in the article didnt reflect your friend's indivudual experience.

healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

[Godiv in reply to MBAnderson]

Good post. I’ve read the same too.

[MarionP]

Just basic health information, you will do as well to just do what generally is known as good nutrition, take a good multivitamin, get as much exercise as you can, avoid alcohol in excess, get as much sleep as you can and take steps to avoid REM sleep disorder (such as take your melatonin and B1, and zinc/copper together every other day), take your B-Complex at least every other day and preferably daily. Don't sweat the small stuff. Voila, cost you nothing more than the vitamins, best results as good as the expensive guys.