Awakenings: Has anyone experienced what I... - Cure Parkinson's

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Awakenings

garyd11 profile image
95 Replies

Has anyone experienced what I call “awakenings?” - a unexplained, out of the blue, one to two day, virtual disappearance of all symptoms, tremor and gait? Then goes right back to usual symptoms. My sister-in-law has these after 15 years of PD, Videos of the difference are mindd-boggling Her doctors can’t explain it nor do they seems to be interested in exploring it. Thanks!

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garyd11
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95 Replies
Erniediaz1018 profile image
Erniediaz1018

wow that’s great. Congratulations. She must be doing something right please elaborate. I’ve had this happen for no more than 20 minutes half an hour at the most.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toErniediaz1018

But not so great because months can go by between incidents and it turns out to be a cruel tease. If only we knew what was going on at these moments that is different from her regular PD symptoms, we may be able to unlock something beneficial for others as well. It does show that after all these years of PD, her body has the ability to spring back to normal, so it’s hard to buy the dying neuron theory.

PetroaMichaels profile image
PetroaMichaels in reply toErniediaz1018

Yes it's the same for me!... sometimes I get 20 or 40 minutes of total symptom relief. It might be it might happen once a month or twice in 3 months. -- Peter

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toPetroaMichaels

Thanks Petroa. Do you have any idea what causes these in your case?

PetroaMichaels profile image
PetroaMichaels in reply togaryd11

No, I'm not sure.

TL500 profile image
TL500 in reply toErniediaz1018

After next meds dose time?

Erniediaz1018 profile image
Erniediaz1018 in reply toTL500

No, no meds. Usually, after red light therapy.

Boscoejean profile image
Boscoejean

Does your sister exercise regularly or meditate? Is there any difference in her medications, food intake, and other factors prior to the time of the remission. Maybe she could keep a notebook to see if it can be figured out since the doctors seem disinterested.

John Coleman, Bianca Molle, John Pepper examples of addressing symptoms

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/273...

Boscoejean profile image
Boscoejean

buzzsprout.com/2042385/1300...

Erniediaz1018 profile image
Erniediaz1018 in reply toBoscoejean

Awesome 👏🏽 thank you.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toBoscoejean

Does not exercise regularly but should. Absolutely no change in what you mentioned. These awakenings are so far apart that keeping a diary is just not practical. They come in the middle of her “normal”routine and just out of the blue. She doesn’t even feel like she as Parkinson’s at these moments. We have a feeling that it has something to do with the neuro pathways suddenly being unblocked but can’t explain how or why. Thanks for your reply. Appreciate any other thoughts.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11

A correction to my post. My sister-in-law has had PD for 23 years not 15!

Boscoejean profile image
Boscoejean in reply togaryd11

which probably makes the good days a little more puzzling- I don't really have much in the way of any new thoughts however I have seen the difference that a good vs a bad night's sleep can make

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toBoscoejean

Doesn't seem to correlate with sleep, but usually if Dawn has to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, she will have to shuffle there. About a week ago, she just got up from bed, walked to the bathroom and back, with no symptoms. Next day, back to the usual "grind."

Boscoejean profile image
Boscoejean in reply togaryd11

I hope someone can figure this out

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toBoscoejean

Bolt_Upright is going to help me find researchers to email.

bandmember profile image
bandmember in reply togaryd11

Definitely sleep quality for me. My husband says he can tell just by looking at my face in the morning what kind of day it will be. On a good day I feel disease free. Seven years in.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply tobandmember

Thanks Bandmember. How often do you experience these good days? Do they last the entire day?

bandmember profile image
bandmember in reply togaryd11

It's usually when I've taken a Tramadol sleeping pill, so not very often because I'm scared of addiction. No more than once a week. Yes, it lasts all day. On other days even when I feel I've slept pretty well I feel awful. I try to limit the sleeping pill nights to those before a full-on following day.

Mellaji profile image
Mellaji in reply togaryd11

I usually walk much better at night when I get up to use the bathroom.

TL500 profile image
TL500 in reply togaryd11

Does she take meds on those days and the usual doses?How much meds is she taking?

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toTL500

Thanks TL. I’ll get back to you on that though my brother who knows more precisely her med routine.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply togaryd11

But episodes are so far a few between that we have to rule it out as a factor.

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright

So she goes one or two days without symptoms? Does she stop medication during this spell? You might want to e-mail some researchers about this. This sounds special. (I can help you figure out how to find researchers to e-mail. Their e-mails show up in studies).

garyd11 profile image
garyd11

Dear Bolt_Upright. Yes, she goes without symptoms and even without the internal feeling of having Parkinson's, which is why I call them "awakenings." She just returns to virtually normal, unfortunately short-lived. But I would love to take you up on your offer to find some researcher who might be interested in what could be the key to help others as well. I would like to share some of the contrasting videos I have as well. It is an eye-opener. Thank you so much for your interest in help me with this. -Gary

chartist profile image
chartist

Is her temporary remission correlated to a certain time of the year?

Art

garyd11 profile image
garyd11

Dear Chartist,

No it isn't related to that, though a good thought. They can be months apart, and then just like that . . . virtually normal. I was just telling Boscoejean that if Dawn has to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, she will have to shuffle there. About a week ago, she just got up from bed, walked to the bathroom and back, with no symptoms. Thing is, she knew internally before making that move out of bed, that she would feel normal. Next day, back to the usual "grind."

Lorraine33 profile image
Lorraine33

my hwp has times like this.

They do seem to come ‘out of the blue’ but, as I am a psychotherapist, I have put it down to ‘attitude’.

If he is not pre-occupied with and symptoms and fear of falling, he can almost forget and enjoys life.

As Garyd11 says below, it maybe about neuropathways, but not getting unblocked, more like different ones being activated. Maybe more serotonin channels. Who knows?

It’s cruel though, I do liken it to the film Awakenings

But it does sometimes happen.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toLorraine33

Thanks Lorraine. Her attitude is consistent so can’t logically pin it on that but we think as you do, that it does have to do with neuropathways and your theory does make sense. Just wish there was some diagnostic to test the theory.

Esperanto profile image
Esperanto

There is a phenomenon called paradoxical kinesia, where PWP experience temporary improvement in their motor symptoms in response to certain triggers, such as stressful situations, emergencies, and even external sensory stimulation like music or auditory cues. This phenomenon is not limited to extreme circumstances like earthquakes or fires; it can also occur in less stressful situations.

Paradoxical kinesia has been documented in anecdotal reports, including Oliver Sacks' book "Awakenings," (!) where he described how familiar music can induce temporary awakenings and improve motor function in individuals with severe akinesia.

Although the exact mechanisms underlying paradoxical kinesia are not fully understood, several hypotheses have been proposed. One hypothesis suggests that the motor function remains intact in people with Parkinson's, but they struggle to access it without external sensory stimulation. Another hypothesis suggests that surviving dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia or alternative neural pathways, such as cerebellar circuits, may become activated to improve motor function.

Understanding the mechanisms and neural circuitry involved in paradoxical kinesia is still an ongoing area of research. However, it highlights the potential therapeutic value of external sensory stimulation, such as music or auditory cues, in managing freezing of gait and akinesia in PD patients.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the study titled "Paradoxical kinesia noticed in patients with Parkinson's disease" published a year ago in the journal Reviews in the Neurosciences

degruyter.com/document/doi/...

If necessary, you can perhaps approach the authors. Their address details are listed at the end.

Garyd11 thanks for sharing this special experience!

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toEsperanto

Dear Esperanto,

Thank you! A fascinating reply about a topic of which I was unaware. Appreciate you taking the time to explain it all. I will follow up on your link!

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toEsperanto

... new areas were added on top of the existing brain, but old ones were retained... Following this line of reasoning it seems rational to think that locomotion as a very basic (old) ability may be preserved in old circuitries... Interestingly, these old circuitries can be activated by auditory stimulation regardless of newer circuits... there is no real paradox in paradoxical kinesia if we consider that there is more than one motor system... Uncovering how these alternative motor pathways work and how to manipulate them in the long term may benefit patients with PD and other motor disorders...

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5.6 A new perspective on paradoxical kinesia

It is well known that as the brain evolved from primitive vertebrates to amphibians to mammals, new areas were added on top of the existing brain, but old ones were retained. New levels of complexity were created but basic abilities as old circuitries were preserved and remained functional. For instance, the neocortex must use circuits in both the brainstem and the spinal cord to perform independent movements of the arms and fingers, such as in tying a shoelace. Regarding locomotion, it involves periodic or “rhythmic” movements. Of note, rhythmicity characterizes some of the most basic, evolutionarily conserved types of movements (Moore et al. 2014). Following this line of reasoning it seems rational to think that locomotion as a very basic (old) ability may be preserved in old circuitries. Under given circumstances, when properly stimulated, these old locomotor circuits may be able to take over (producing paradoxical kinesia) regardless of basal ganglia defect as it happens in PD.

Interestingly, these old circuitries can be activated by auditory stimulation regardless of newer circuits. Pioneering experiments performed in decerebrate cats by Sherrington and colleagues reported reactions such as retraction of the pinna, turning of the head, lashing of the tail, flexion, and extension movements of the limbs in response to acoustic stimulation (Forbes and Sherrington 1914). Spinal reflexes can be elicited in decerebrated cats in response to acoustic stimuli, which disappeared after IC bilateral ablation (Adams 1983; Chu 1970; Gernandt and Ades 1964; Wright and Barnes 1972). These classical experiments can help to explain paradoxical kinesia induced by auditory stimulation in PD patients and show that effective use can be made of these old (alternative) motor circuits when the “more recent” motor system fails. Thus, there is no real paradox in paradoxical kinesia if we consider that there is more than one motor system (Duysens and Nonnekes 2021). External stimuli may lead to paradoxical kinesia by “energizing” some of these old (alternative) motor systems. Moreover, it may also be that paradoxical kinesia is not a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease but a general property of the motor system (Ballanger et al. 2006).

The ephemeral feature of paradoxical kinesia is a limitation for those who intend to use it as a rehabilitation tool and improve patients’ quality of life in the long term. However, the underlying mechanisms of paradoxical kinesia are beginning to be revealed. Uncovering how these alternative motor pathways work and how to manipulate them in the long term may benefit patients with PD and other motor disorders. The two behavioural animal models of paradoxical kinesia (DBS in the IC and 50 kHz USV playback presentation) established by our group overcame a major limitation to understanding the neural mechanisms involved in this phenomenon, i.e., the lack of an animal model that replicates key aspects of paradoxical kinesia. New experiments in our lab using optogenetic techniques associated with both animal models will provide a deeper analysis of the mechanisms involved in the paradoxical kinesia phenomenon.

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toGcf51

Alternative motor pathways likely have a significant role in stroke recovery. This is because many of these pathways also work independently or in tandem with the corticospinal tract to mediate motor and sensory function. frontiersin.org/journals/ne...

The corticospinal tract, AKA, the pyramidal tract, is the major neuronal pathway providing voluntary motor function. This tract connects the cortex to the spinal cord to enable movement of the distal extremities. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5....

SuuSuu profile image
SuuSuu

I visited a friend who has a climbing gym several times and watched. One day I asked Brian if I could try it. He got me shoes and coached me, 5-6 friends watched and were cheering me on and taking pictures. I was exhilarated. For the next 18-24 hours I felt terrific with normal gait and loss of stiffness.

My theory? I had an adrenal-dopamine rush that freed me from PD symptoms. I climbed again several weeks later - no cheers, no pics, no rush, it was hard and felt dangerous, so it wasn't the activity itself. Probably doesn't apply in the case you describe, but that's my experience...

wall climbing
amykp profile image
amykp in reply toSuuSuu

I got exactly that skiing (under protest, I might add--I was really worried I would fall). But once I got up on the mountain with my husband and daughter and an instructor shouting encouragement, it was amazing, like I forgot I had PD completely.

I put it down to muscle memory. I was so busy thinking about the snow and the turns and my form and what-have-you I forgot to think about anything else and some hidden past part of me just took over. It was weird.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toamykp

The mind is very powerful. Perhaps you can duplicate the expletive with an Occulus device or something similar to replicate the feeling.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toSuuSuu

Hi SuuSuu. Does seem to make sense in your case With my sister-in-law there was no external stimulus. She just got up and was “normal.” Thanks!

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toSuuSuu

Hi SuuSuu. Does seem to make sense in your case With my sister-in-law there was no external stimulus. She just got up and was “normal.” Thanks!

LAJ12345 profile image
LAJ12345

maybe it’s something like the bravado teenagers feel when they do crazy things with seemingly no fear or thought of the consequences when friends are cheering them on whereas if by themselves they would be cautious and unable to do it.

When this happens has she been engrossed in an absorbing activity that gets her into a flow state? Or focussed on solving a problem or planning something so she forgets her situation?

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toLAJ12345

Hi LAJ. No, no external stimulation. She just all of a sudden feels normal and moves around with virtually no symptoms.

pearlette profile image
pearlette

I do get these divine days regularly. Once in 3 months.

I also have peculiar changes in levodopa requirements on different days. Most days need total 500mg per 24 hours but can vary from 300mg to 750mg per day (in small doses of Sinemet in divided doses).

I also have excellent examples of paradoxical hyperkinesia (when I can run for a bus); but I am a bit cautious after developing hip joint capsulitis which is exquisitely painful in some movements. Now that it is slowly improving I find it is still there.

Likewise being engrossed in activity at work with a difficult patient that I can make a breakthrough or a very positive patient with good news can trigger a rush that lasts for a day.

I think the article on paradoxical hyperkinesia suggests that some brain cells that do not usually produce dopamine can fire up on demand for short periods of time.

The things I do is:

I walk a lot (by incorporatining that in a commute to work) and soldier up and down stairs when I have the energy to (about 12000 steps of walking most days ; if I am off and start shuffling I consciously lengthen my stride.

I have always liked new experiences and I try to learn something new. Life long habit.

I still take on the challenge of urban areas like going to a restaurant /certain venues in London where access is not excellent.

I figured that after 6 decades of living I could figure out a solution.

Take some risks when I am with those friends who can cope with a reasonable mishap.

Am less embarrassed t display my disability in public.

Yoga and transcendental meditation are hit and miss but I breathe better (previously I hypoventilated ); not very anxious by nature but had bouts of moderate anxiety when bradykinesia set in.

I also try to get off the floor with no support evry morning and night when I am off dopamine. Have succeeded every time.

I take very few supplements

Vitamin D (brown skinned in sun poor Britain) for last

Fish oils recently for antiinflamatory value (recent)

Vitamin B complex 2 times a week ; has some B12 in small amounts (last 5 years)

Thiamine 100 mg 5 times a week (cant tolerate more than that); last 3 years

Lots of fruit

Mixed diet (not vegetarian but eat lots of vegetables)

Reasonably generous carbs (mostly wholegrain ) 3 times a day , full fat milk in coffee / tea twice a day and butter (not everyday); full fat yogurt

Raw high quality olive oil 20 mls poured over food (last 1 year); courtsey MIND diet

Some coconut oil (my ancestors cooked most of their food in coconut oil)

I still have sugar in some form too.

For me thats all I can manage to do.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply topearlette

Dear Pearlette,

Thank you for your detailed reply! I commend you for taking all these steps (literally:) to conquer your circumstances and would encourage everyone who is able to exercise, exercise, exercise while that window is open to you. Supplement regimen and control of yoit gut also seems to play an important role for many.

I had a huge lessening of symptoms when I was taking a break from HDT B1 therapy due to an overdose. It lasted weeks and returned to status quo. I had started drinking Aloe Vera juice at the same time so I'm still drinking it. Wonder if there's a GI connection to the significant lessening (not curing) my symptoms.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply to

Hi Zyzgy. A lot of experts seems to agree regarding the gut-brain connection. Thanks!

pearlette profile image
pearlette in reply to

There is a strong connection with gut motility.

Poor gut motility invariably leads to constipation which leads to poor absorption of medication. Hospitalsed patient recover within a day when they are cleared.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply topearlette

Makes sense. Thanks!

OKWY profile image
OKWY

Yes, I had experienced such a moment (lasting almost 4 days) with my husband. He always fluctuates a bit, but his normal is very stooped (90degrees), severe freezing, needs help to get up from chair (often even his lift chair) and uses a 4 wheeled walker. February last year he spent 9 days in hospital with fecal impaction and unable to void urine. Physio assessed him and felt it was too hard to exercise him, so he was left in bed or bedside chair.

After 9 days of complete inactivity, I wasn't sure whether he'd be even able to do anything anymore. So imagine how stunned we were to suddenly look out the window and see him out on the street taking in the garbage bins, no walker in sight and his posture nearly upright. When we asked him, he shrugged his shoulders and said that he also turned the pool pump on and winded back the daisy blanket. Over the next 4 days he slowly got worse bit by bit, after 4 days we saw physio, he was still better than before hospital, but went down from there.

I was looking into so many things. Did they give him his medication at regular times? No, because I remembered they often arrived very late with an apology. We thought it may be lots of sleep (night and large chunks of day) so the brain got rested. I sometimes even doubt the supplements we're taking at home or something in the environment. Food is the other variable of course as is the clearing of the fecal impaction. Anyway, we could not replicate this amazing recovery, even with long sleep and daytime naps and constipation control. But like you, it drives me crazy knowing that it would be possible to get to near normal if only we found the way back. Happy to share with any researcher and give access to the hospital file.

The greatest gift is you sharing this info and people replying with their own stories, because it may open another door.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toOKWY

DeR OKWY,

Sounds very familiar and of course we share your frustration in knowing that the body CAN bounce back, if only we knew what caused it. Yes, we would also love to share experiences and videos with researchers.

DeanGreen profile image
DeanGreen

I have been diagnosed with PD for 15 years and had DBS about 2 years ago. Prior to DBS, I had occasionally experienced better coordination and improved general function usually in the mornings (aka morning benefit). So I started to keep track of certain supplements taken the night before. After collecting about 2 years of data. I found out that this phenomenon usually occurs on Friday. On Thursday nights we would go to trivia at our local bar and I would enjoy a few beers (IPAs). The hop content of IPAs is more concentrated than regular average beer. So I did some research on IPAs and found out that hops are full of phytoestrogens...which are neuroprotective (and taste good!). I experimenting with various brands, I found "LaGunitas Maximus beer to be most effective. Does your sister-in-law drink beer? If not, then disregard this paragraph.

LAJ12345 profile image
LAJ12345 in reply toDeanGreen

Or maybe it was the fun and intellectual stimulation associated with your outing?

ParkiePerson profile image
ParkiePerson in reply toDeanGreen

So do you.drink this beer regularly now with similar improvement?

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toDeanGreen

H Dean,

How fascinating! My sister-in-law doesn’t normally drink beer but wouldn’t be opposed to it, I don’t think. Certainly worth a try. I believe there are also hops supplements. Have you tried that as well? Would you say in your case that usually 3 beers does the trick? Might also be weight related regarding beer dosage.

DeanGreen profile image
DeanGreen in reply togaryd11

Yes at least three 12 oz bottles. I've tried chewing Simcoe hops and concentrating the beer by boiling it down to a viscus syrup, but the taste was so bitter, I could not stomach it.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toDeanGreen

Might as well enjoy the “treatment.”

DeanGreen profile image
DeanGreen in reply togaryd11

If your sister is not a beer-drinker, it must not be the beer that is giving her the good days. I have often wondered why some dementia patients can all of a sudden become lucid for a few mintes and speak intelligently before reverting back to the demential state. This has happened to the father of a co-worker. I believe all the memory files are still there, but the processor is messed up.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toDeanGreen

Yes, same kind of scenario.

lionessroar profile image
lionessroar

It wasn't a complete disappearance of my symptoms but more like a 90% improvement for only one day. I woke up feeling good and decided not to take any supplements or medication that day. This happened 3 years ago on my birthday and there were no other instances of this before or after that day.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply tolionessroar

Weird and frustrating, right?

Salted profile image
Salted

I am fairly recently diagnosed, but I have experienced fleeting hours of "recovery" and one symptom-free episode that lasted almost 2 days.

I was officially diagnosed in November 2023, have had symptoms since 2020 or so. I have not taken any of the regular PD meds. I do mess around with B1 (it's hard to find the correct dose) and I take magnesium threonate. I recently finished 12 weeks in the Inhibikase tyrosine kinase inhibitor trial. I'm in the washout period now. I will find out later this week if I took the drug--Risvodetinib (IkT-148009)--or a placebo.

For at least 6 months, I have been jogging every other day, for about 30 minutes at a time. I walk another 30 minutes or more. On the other days, I walk at least an hour. I try to do my PT exercises every day. I am often very miserable while I am jogging, but I shuffle along anyhow. After I am home and showered, about 2 hours after my "run" I usually feel very good. About 50% of the time, a few hours after a run, I am free of tremor and fatigue for a couple of hours. I don't get that good feeling from just walking; I seem to need to really get the heart rate up for a sustained period of time. I've tried to run back to back days, but I just get too tired/ haven't had the energy or will power to do more.

About a month ago, I felt exceptionally good after a very unremarkable jogging session. I felt a lot of motivation, enthusiasm, focus. I was suddenly very interested in socializing. I had no tremor, no gait problems. I woke up the next day and started my physical therapy exercises. I could do them with so much ease--no stiffness, no strain. At some point the next day though, the tremor and cramping started up again. I have since had brief "highs" a couple hours after vigorous exercise, but I haven't had a lovely, symptom-free day again.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toSalted

Hi Salted,

Experts all seem to agree that exercise is key! Try to keep it up as much as you can and let us know about the Risvodetinib (IkT-148009)--or a placebo trial when you find out!

17Hillview profile image
17Hillview

Hello. 13 years in and this has happened to me on several occasions. At a point where I was supposed to be off, I was on without taking any meds. It lasted from half a day on one occasion, to just going on to two days on my best occassion.

It made me wonder at the time if this was some kind of divine intervention...a miracle of some kind...until the symptoms returned and snapped me back to reality.

At the times that they occurred, the only thing that I could think of that i was doing differently, was experimenting with the reduction of my dosage of c/l, which at the time I was thinking was too high. I did end up with an overall lower dosage after those episodes.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply to17Hillview

I completely empathize with your experience. My sister-in-law had the same thoughts as you the first time around. Thanks for sharing your experience. It is so frustrating.

gomelgo profile image
gomelgo

for me this has fleetingly happened when traveling... when I am high on the scenery or just really satisfied on some level. And sometimes momentarily I hear myself thinking "oh I forgot to have pd"! But it's getting more and more fleeting 2 years after diagnosis. And I definitely believe it has to do with how I feel. The story about the climbing wall is a great demonstration because it's the support of others that makes it so great. Also, used to feel this a bit when going to a really good dance class. But now I have frozen shoulder and can't dance sadly. I don't take any meds but have been taking mucuna almost every day for a few weeks because of the shoulder and the rigidity and cramping. I do know that trauma is not what happens to you, but when you FEEL alone with what happens. And I am pretty certain that being repeatedly traumatized leads to all sorts of dis ease.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply togomelgo

Dear Gomelgo,

Sorry to hear about the shoulder keeping you from dancing but try to keep some form of exercise going. Macuna is a great idea. My sister-in-law does the same with pure macuna powder which keeps the Sinemet dosage low. Dosing can be tricky though. How do you dose it?

gomelgo profile image
gomelgo

was she on any meds at these times?

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply togomelgo

Yes, she does take Sinemet, but we still can't explain this miraculous recovery for a day or two in the midst of her daily medication routine. We've tried to look at every angle, and our instinct is that it's not something external, i.e., sleep, medication, supplements, etc. but internal as in a blockage or re-firing of some neuropathways. I wish there was some kind of diagnostic that can be performed on the day she has the awakenings to see if there is any difference to the same diagnostic on a routine day. But what that diagnostic would be, I am at a loss and can't seem to find a doctor interested enough in exploring.

gomelgo profile image
gomelgo in reply togaryd11

In my experience doctors are mostly focused on pills or surgeries as strategies, not on what might actually address the underlying issues. Sad, but that is what our world is built around it seems.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply togomelgo

Dear gomelgo. Unfortunately, you are so right.

Chillla profile image
Chillla

Last May I had a wonderful day at a friend's house where I tasted some mulberries from their massive tree. I had never eaten mulberries before. The next day I felt totally normal. Couldn't figure out why but I was ecstatic. Then I thought maybe it was the mulberries. I'm waiting for another month or so to indulge again. More than likely it was the stimulation versus the berries. It was wonderful for the one day duration.

Esperanto profile image
Esperanto in reply toChillla

Research indicate that mulberry fruit has neuroprotective effects in in vitro and in vivo PD models, and that it indeed may be useful in preventing or treating PD. 👍

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toEsperanto

Great follow-up!

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toChillla

Hi Chili’s,

Is there perhaps a mulberry extract you can try?

Chillla profile image
Chillla in reply togaryd11

I have made a tea using dried mulberries. Not quite the same result but I'm sure it's healthy.

gomelgo profile image
gomelgo

this thread is wonderful and informative and I really wish garyd11 would respond to the questions about meds, please.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply togomelgo

I will have my brother respond who can give a more precise reply.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11

Thanks for all the wonderful replies and suggestions. I will try to reply to each that require and answer. I should have also mentioned that my sister-in-law has had two DBS surgeries; one long ago for her left side and one recently to control a seizure-like tremor on the right. They both have worked well to control the tremor, but gait is still a big problem, interfering greatly with her quality of life and requiring either scooter or wheelchair. However, she had these awakenings long after the first DBS, and also after the second DBS, so that doesn't seem to have anything to do with it.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11

My sister-in-law’s first DBS was 16 years ago.

DeanGreen profile image
DeanGreen

Great thread. Has your sister-in-law noticed any foods or supplements that makes her symptoms worse. I have noticed that foods high in oxalic acid ( e.g. spinach) or monosodium glutamate (e.g. Takis chips or Accent flavor enhancer) makes my symptoms worse for about a week.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toDeanGreen

No, nothing that makes it worse. It’s seemingly “nothing” that makes are suddenly but short-lived better. If only we could find what that “nothing” is!

pearlette profile image
pearlette

Actually all the excitement of this topic has given me a symptom free period for almost 7 hours without any L dopa ( I variably dose when the first quiver of my toes is felt prior to the curling) .

I have only had 2 doses of 25/12.5 Sinemet today. Thats my lowest dose since Day 2 f starting treatment in 2017 . I have also walked for 4 hours today and could not stop smiling.

Yday I had 650 mg ! and miserable .

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply topearlette

Wonderful Pearlette. Keep those good thoughts going. The mind is very powerful!

pdpatient profile image
pdpatient in reply topearlette

pearlette . What you experienced, is likely a function of the body self regulating the plasma level of the Levodopa and compensating for the imbalances. This happens more frequently during the first 5 to 7 years after going on Levodopa. However, there comes a time when that stops working and the correct dosage for the optimal plasma level for Levodopa is simply a matter of luck. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism available for precise dosing of Levodopa and it is just a matter of estimation by the doctor.

You probably got lucky and yes, you need to enjoy it when it happens. Other factors like food and exercise can also affect the experience through the day and if you find a repeatable pattern, you might be able to replicate the result.

In my case, I have a guaranteed way to live on cloud 9 for an entire day and it is entirely within my control. I feel like a normal person and people can't tell that I have the disease. It works so well that I feel guilty not applying every single day. What is it?

It is fasting. Total abstinence from food and going on a water only diet for the entire day. It is painful in a different kind of way, but I find myself choosing between hunger and the misery of Parkinson's. But, it is an option that I like to have for important occasions.

pearlette profile image
pearlette in reply topdpatient

Oh absolutely. I know it is temporary. I even have various permutations and combinations of symptoms that remit for several weeks which is even more fun.

I was diagnosed 8 years ago but a geriatrician colleague of mine recognised my Parkinsonism atleast 2 years before that.

Historically I have had leg and finger dystonia as a child but did not realise that it was unusual so I did not mention it to an adult.

I have had intermittent balance and gait symptoms as a medical student and then they disappeared after I was 30 . I still managed a bit of freestyle rock climbing and hiking.

Since my 40s I have had Achilles tendon dystonia which I wrote off as plantar fascia and practically supported the heel orthotics industry.

After developing writers cramp like symptoms at 51 , I continued to function as ER type of doctor performing highly skilled interventions until I developed a full blown shoulder capsulitis at 54 . I finally saw a neurologist when I ground to a halt a year later. He was the first doctor I saw since I was 30 (apart from minor elbow surgery when I chipped a bone)

My DAT scan showed no activity in both my putamen and globus pallidus areas in 2017. Technically that means there is no receptor activity.

So my theory I have had the disease from childhood. I also have rather stunning paradoxical hyperkinesia. Makes for some interesting looks from security staff in shopping malls who see me almost wooden and shuffling and then run to rescue a breakable item that some one had knocked over.

There are some suggestions that other areas of the brain where dopamine can be made on demand. I personally think that the speed of response in paradoxical hyperkinesia makes that implausible. That is more likely to be some sort of reflex stimulation of a receptor site.

There are many other mechanisms that could be postulated like up and down regulation of receptors which constantly takes place in the body naturally.

I don't really dwell on my disease or health (except in the last few months when a hip joint capsulitis linked to dystonia caused tremendous pain) . I am too busy living life but have a pragmatic strategy which includes arranging assisted dying arrangements, affordable continuing care in India where I will retire to while adopting any reasonable lifestyle change that shows a tangible response.

I have not tolerated fasting well in the past. It makes me edgy and dyskinesia prone. It als destroys my fragile sleep pattern. But I do have an eating pattern with 6 to 8 hour gaps between meals.

It just nice sarig good news too.

pdpatient profile image
pdpatient

 garyd11 . I think that when everything seems perfect and when we Parkinson's patients experience a period of bliss, it is most likely due to the plasma concentration of the Levodopa being at the right level.

Right now, there is no testing and measurement mechanism or protocols in place to measure Levodopa under dosing or over dosing like for example, diabetes.

It may simply mean that the Levodopa levels are in the optimum range. I am convinced that most of the problems that we face are due to the medication and not the disease.

There are too many variables in consider in order to reach a particular conclusion.

I applaud your efforts to solve the many mysterious ways of the disease.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply topdpatient

Thanks, pdpatient. I will confer with my brother regarding this. But I think my sister-in-law has had "awakenings" both on and off medication. But I will check. It's not just the symptoms that go away, it's that internal feeling of PD that also disappears, like she no longer has the disease.

Mellaji profile image
Mellaji

I have experienced that. Lasts 1-2 days. It’s glorious and I have not noticed a pattern. Diagnosed a year ago but of course looking back three years there were signs.

Bear1927 profile image
Bear1927

I had similar experience for 4 days in a row. In April 2020, I woke up in the morning feeling full of energy and didn't bother to take any medication or supplements. On the day 3, at night I woke up from horrible noise in my ears, and it increased the following night. On the day 5, I woke up tired and rigid and had to take my usual pills again. Interesting fact, during that month, there were "5G" network upgrade works going on in my part of London...

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toBear1927

5Gwakening? Or 5Gachening?

Bear1927 profile image
Bear1927 in reply toJayPwP

I think these "awakening" happened when the old network was down and new one was not activated yet.

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toBear1927

How very interesting. Some others have noted increased illness in general with each G increase.

Bear1927 profile image
Bear1927 in reply togaryd11

So called non-ionising radiation is harmful, there is no secret there

amykp profile image
amykp

I need to add a sudden new and startling experience to this thread:

So, it's not about me, but a fellow who was in my PD exercise class. He is no longer in my class because he is no longer able to be--he is literally near death. He is bedbound, sleeps 23 hours a day (barely rouses to eat) and his speech is now so soft and garbled even his wife can't understand him.

He was diagnosed maybe about 20-ish years ago, had DBS about six years ago and it worked well--apparently he was in a pretty bad state before that, but the DBS gave him 5 good years.

So, the weird thing: The DBS accidentally lost charge and turned off a few days ago and when wife went to turn it on, it hurt him badly, (an electric shock?) he cried out, she turned it off again, and...

OMG, it's like over the next two days HE'S ALL BETTER! He's walking (no walker) with an arm swing, talking clearly, just...just...

I know it's hard to believe and I wouldn't either if I didn't know the guy. I have videos of after (and some older videos of before. They didn't know it was going to happen so obviously they weren't taking movies). If anyone wants to see I'll ask permission to PM.

Who do they contact? Anyone have any ideas? It's just so bizarre, like a miracle if I believed in them, which I don't. It's been four days now and he's still fine. I keep waiting for his symptoms to come roaring back...

garyd11 profile image
garyd11 in reply toamykp

Pleas DO PM me. I’d like to see the videos and my have some me ideas of where to send. Thanks!

amykp profile image
amykp in reply togaryd11

OK. As I said, I have to get permission from HIM (and his wife) first. It isn't me and the before is (sadly) kind of embarrassing. Though we all get it, I guess!

amykp profile image
amykp

OK, I've got four videos, but I'm having trouble posting them...and I realize, I've never attached anything to HU before. Can anyone tell me what to do?

They're saved as .mov and that could be the problem, I suppose

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