I am at my wits end. My PD symptoms are progressing (diagnosed in 2015). Most of my disturbing symptoms are non motor. (Fatigue, depression,apathy )i have NO tremor, but have balance, issues, poor fine motor skills, weakness and bradykinesia . 7 months before I was diagnosed, my life partner (we were together for 33 years) took his own life. I believe Steve’s suicide and my PD diagnosis and now quickly progressing pD symptoms have been a perfect storm for me to suffer major depression. My neuro believes my mood may be exacerbating my pd symptoms. I have tried pristiq,vibryd,Wellbutrin and lexapro , all to no avail. I tried ketamine assisted therapy (KAP) for first time this past Sunday. Talk about getting high! I took (2)sublingual 175 mg tablets over 20 minutes. I think dose may have been too high. I vomited after session and had terrible hangover on Monday and now, today, I have a headache. I have been told and read that one should start seeing improvements after 6 sessions. Has anyone tried KAP for pd symptom of depression? I am on the fence about trying another session
ketamine, PD and depression: I am at my... - Cure Parkinson's
ketamine, PD and depression
Ketamine is a VERY old anesthetic. I used it in my veterinary practice 50 years ago. Studies show that ketamine can treat depression that's resistant to drugs like Welbutrin. Often the result is instantaneous. I wonder if the oral dose was not correct. I experimented with ketamine since I had it in my office. I was high for several hours but never had vomiting. Vomiting was a common side effect of ketamine in my clinic.
I meant to add that my self-injection did not cause headaches or hangover.
FWIW [cut-and-paste]
Bydureon (a.k.a., Exenatide), a repurposed Type 2 Diabetes drug is now in third-stage trials in UK for stopping Parkinson’s in its tracks — results expected 2024. Testing — mice, open label, double blind — has been going on since 2010 and it has been positive every time. scienceofparkinsons.com/201...
According to a very sensitive test, Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), 2/3 of Parkinson’s patients are supposed to be insulin resistant. IR may be treated with Bydureon (Exanatide). Just an angle that might get us one step closer to getting Bydureon. cureparkinsons.org.uk/news/...
South Korean researchers have learned how to dial our cells back to stem cell stage -- and are now administering monkey stem cells to parts of their brains that are short on dopamine producing cells -- with the hope they will fill in and take over the job.
Started this before with stem cells from other monkeys and had some success I think until local immune systems attacked foreign cells.
So there is even realistic hope for a cure.
FWIW
I do not know anyone who has tried it but I have seen it mentioned fairly often
"Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven't been effective." this is approved for this purpose in the US
mayoclinic.org/tests-proced....
i would love to try TMS, but it requires 5 visits/per week for several weeks. the place closest to me that has it is quite a distance
sorry to hear this and I completely understand the difficulty of having to go to several appointments and how tiring it is and how it can also tend to disrupt the daily schedule
I had three major depressive episodes before being dx’d with Parkinson’s which required hospitalization. I believe they will cause by the Parkinson’s or at least precursor symptoms. First one was controlled with meds. Second two were remedy ECT (electro, convulsive therapy). Sounds scary, but it’s I believe it truly saved my life. It’s much more involved than TMS.
Have your B vitamin levels checked. Many people are deficient in B12 especially vegetarians.
I also recommend taking magnesium and fish oil supplements. Both recommended by my psychiatrist.
Hope this helps.
B12 link
Hi. You could try dietary changes. For me cutting out some foods immediately reversed cognitive symptoms similar to what you're experiencing, as well as brain fog/freeze and memory issues.Dairy, soy, some grains and legumes were some of the worst offenders for me. These foods were also giving me skin issues - that is how I discovered they were trouble
How did you determine which foods?
i am vegan, do not have dairy, also , i dont eat soy. that doesnt leave a lot for me to eat LOL
I'm currently trying to go as raw as possible. Been vegan for over a decade. One can be vegan and still eat plenty of foods that do not help the brain ... this is what I am learning. I mean a ton of french fries for me was a regular "once in a while", and I still can't quite kick dessert, especially chocolate (which apparently all has caffeine). It's a tough one, but I keep reading in many places that intermittent fasting and a mostly raw fruit and vegg diet are the ideal. Not a cure, but certainly along with exercise, the top contenders. I'm very newly diagnosed, and still quite skeptical of almost everything though.
Light therapy may be helpful
"Although the trials were small, all of them showed promising results as it related to improvement of various PD symptoms. Results: Bright light led to significant improvement of tremor, United Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) I, II, and IV, and depression as compared to control light therapy."
apdaparkinson.org/article/l....
looks interesting. I have tried red light therapy q with no results
I have and it was pre-pd dx. I did the full 6 treatments and found mild improvement. I did and continue to find results—mostly in the form of a respite- from the lozenges which are taken and home and are far more mild than the infusions. Though PD is new to me, I have life long experience with depression. We could chat privately but I’m not sure how as the site recommends not sharing any personal info.
thanks for ur kind offer, but I think I am tired of searching
I am an anesthetist and we still use ketamine for pediatric dental cases and is now popular in low doses for excellent post op pain adjunct, only 25mg IV. I know it is also used for depression and PTSD. Nausea is rare. Some of my pediatric patients had double vision for a while as a side effect is your eyes don't line up together for a little while. Either your dose was high, you have a sensitivity, or possibly a combination drug reaction. Here in Colorado I think the patients are in a 12 week program and have very good results. Good luck and I hope it helps.
thanks for the info. i think i overdosed. i was given (2) 175mg sublingual tabs, taken at 20 minutes apart. i didnt feel anything after the first 175 mg, so i took the other one. i was soooo loopy.
try yoga therapy. And grief counseling or grief share program. I am sorry for you. Stress really wreaks havoc and you have suffered a big loss.
the proper breathing helps w the focus. Most yoga studios don’t seem to give enough help w that . Yoga therapy is supposed to teach it.I also use ashwaganda to help w the anxiety and on a hard day lemon balm tea or holy basil tea to calm myself down. Best wishes at finding the right combo.
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