I Found a Book on Dealing with Parkinson's last week that I Liked Very Much

[Bolt_Upright]

To Beat Parkinson’s, You Must Stand on Your Head: The True Story of a Powerful Life Transformation by Wojciech Wasilewski amazon.com/gp/product/B0F45...

I'm sharing this because I read through the book and it has a lot of great information/advice that rings very true to me. I'm not telling anybody to buy it, but at $5 for the Kindle version I found it well worth it.

This is the review I posted on Amazon:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book that Anybody New to, or Experienced with, Parkinson's would Enjoy and Learn from.

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2025

Verified Purchase

Thank you Wojtek. I read your table of contents and sample and was impressed. You have a very easy to read writing style.

So I went ahead and bought the Kindle version and skimmed through it all and now I am even more impressed. You cover so many issues that will be if interest to so many people, and at the same time you maintain the same message that you need to ALWAYS be doing what you can to slow down or stop this disease. There are no days off.

I especially loved your paragraph on people needing "their system", not "your system". I found that very powerful and insightful.

Well done Wojtek. I think you did a great job with the book and I am happy I have it in my Kindle library now.

[WinnieThePoo]

I beg to differ Bolt. At 8 years post diagnosis. With no Fus, but comparable success managing the condition, I found it verbose, naive, sloppy (nobody pumps dopamine into the stomach, or, with the exception of a small study in Lille in northern France, anywhere else in the body) . It's an important basic error. And of course the book is a way to exploit the vulnerable by making money out of the disease - globally it is a 10 million person marketplace..And it's author is missing no tricks using this forum to promote the book

[Juliegrace in reply to WinnieThePoo]

I haven’t read the book although I agree with you about the author promoting it it here, but there is the duopa pump, the original, not the new one, that does exactly that, pumps levodopa directly into the stomach via a stomach tube.

[WinnieThePoo in reply to Juliegrace]

As you say. The duodopa pump, pumps LEVADOPA. Not DOPAMINE. There is a world of difference between the 2. It's not some mild misnomer. And it is widely misunderstood. The author is at pains, completely unnecessarily, to explain that he uses "Parkinsons" to mean the disease and not the 18th century physician who published a description of the disease. As if anyone could possibly be confused. But he hasn't explained that he uses "dopamine" to mean "levadopa". Cos that really would lead to confusion.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to WinnieThePoo]

I understand your wariness. I thought is was good and insightful.

As Julie said, the duopa pump pumps levadopa to the stomach. We have a person on the Sunday call every week that has one of these. I am starting to wonder if his older style pump is superior to the new subcutaneous version.

[WinnieThePoo in reply to Bolt_Upright]

As I said, Bolt levodopa is not dopamine. And the distinction is important. The pump being trialled at Lille University, Pumps dopamine. Stem cell grafts pump dopamine. The neurons destroyed by Parkinson's pump dopamine.

however,, this discussion simply promotes his book by causing people to buy it to understand the debate. So,,, unless he offers a free Kindle download for members of this forum that I am not going to participate further, but report all posts to the moderators as spam or shilling.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to WinnieThePoo]

This post is not from the author. This post is from me. I believe I am allowed to share links to products and books that are not free. I guess I will find out once I am reported.

We miss you on the Zoom calls. I mean that. You would meet Wojciech on the call. He is in Poland and is very earnest.

[Wojciech_Author in reply to WinnieThePoo]

Thanks for your feedback.

Just to clarify – I never claimed that dopamine is literally pumped into the stomach. If anything in my writing gave that impression, it may have been a metaphor or simplification while trying to explain complex topics in an accessible way.

I'm not a doctor – I'm a person living with Parkinson’s, sharing what I’ve learned through personal experience and research. My intention is not to mislead, but to inspire and offer hope to others.

If some wording felt off to you, I understand. But calling it "sloppy" or suggesting I'm trying to exploit people is really disheartening.

I hope we can keep this space open for respectful discussion and support.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Wojciech_Author]

You are okay Wojciech (I learned to spell your name!).

You would be surprised at the number of grifters that show up and post here. You are not one of those. I look forward to you being in this group and sharing for a very long time.

Take care, Bolt.

[WinnieThePoo]

I'll try to join the zoom call again. The timing isn't good for me here. Also my mother died recently and I'm just back from the funeral and dealing with Probate. I seem to have a large backlog to catch up - especially regarding updating my website about the gloves. Say nothing of the day job. I realised the post was not from the author, but his post is designed to dupe people into doing just that. Why else is he here? as I said if he just wants to debate the topics and not promote the book he can offer a free download for members of this forum.

I don't like his writing style I don't agree with these conclusions, and in particular the idea that research like stem cell transplants Is of no benefit. At its core he makes ridiculous assumptions based on a samle size of one in a disease known to be a snowflake disease. his friend with the hallucinations and other complications, may be suffering those because of the disease progression and not the medications.

Anyway, free to members Or end of discussion.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to WinnieThePoo]

I'm so sorry about your mother passing. That is terrible. And to have to deal with Probate on top of it. Put that on top of PD. You are in my prayers. Take care and will see you on a call when it is time. Dave.

[Wojciech_Author in reply to WinnieThePoo]

I’m sorry for your loss – I truly am. I can understand that emotions are high, but I want to make something clear.

I never promoted anything, never posted a link, and never tried to mislead anyone. People asked, and I answered – openly and respectfully. That’s not manipulation.

I’ve never claimed to have all the answers. My book is based on my experience, written from the heart, and it may not be for everyone. But calling it ridiculous and demanding I give it away or leave is unfair.

This forum should be a space where patients can share ideas without being attacked. Let’s try to treat each other with respect – even when we disagree.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Wojciech_Author]

This is true. Wojciech did not post a link until I asked for a link. I am the cause of all of this (as usual). I will shut up now.

[Wojciech_Author in reply to WinnieThePoo]

In reference to your accusation – you can read the book for free via Kindle Unlimited. You’re criticizing it harshly, but from what you say, it sounds like you haven’t actually read it.

Criticizing something you haven’t read feels unfair and, frankly, like a low blow.

[ghoegap in reply to Wojciech_Author]

Just to clarify re Amazon: KindleUnlimited involves a monthly payment.

[00Mark]

Even better, you can read it for free on Kindle Unlimited.