Finding myself in Rome with an extra day to explore, I came upon a plan to make a visit to Viterbo, home of Dr. Costantini and the B1 treatment. This post will focus only on the trip logistics for anyone else planning a visit.
First, what's not to like about Italy? Pasta, pizza and good red wine amongst other things. Although it did rain quite a bit when we were there. We settled in an Airbnb in Rome and I booked online ( trainline.eu ) a return train ticket from Roma Termini (the central train station) to Viterbo Porta Fiorentina and back - all in the same day. Booking online gets you the ticket on your smartphone so you just show this barcode to the ticket inspector on the trains. By the way to get around in Rome we used the Mytaxi app - easy to get taxis this way.
My appointment was 11am so we took the 7:58am train which gets into Orte around 8:38am and then you change to a regional train to Viterbo, arriving in plenty of time at around 9:49am. This gives you time to get an espresso and allow for any train delays.
Once in Viterbo, it's an easy 7min walk to Dr. C's office - just follow on google maps.
Everyone in the office is super friendly and welcoming. I get the sense Dr. C is semi-retired since they had to track him down and get him to the office for my 11am appointment. He does not speak English, and I had been told by someone in this forum to visit on a Thursday when his PT is there and she speaks great English. Selfie of the 3 of us attached!
We went through the typical Parkinson's tests, tapping, pull test and UPDRS scoring (I came in at 18). He showed me some before and after videos and also videoed me getting up from a chair and walking.
His "prescription" seems to be typical for most of us: Take Thiamine Solgar 500mg tablets, 3 in the morning and 3 at noon, before or after the meal every day. Along with keep taking my sinemet 25/100 3x per day. I asked him about drinking red wine (easy to do in Italy) and he didn't seem to think this was an issue, in moderation!
Strangely enough in the UK the suppliers of Solgar brand were all out of stock of B1 500mg, so I've placed orders with Biovea (from the USA I think) and G and G vitamins. So will start the program soon. Dr. C seemed to think I should see results in a month with a goal of 50% reduction in UPDRS score.
While I don't think a personal visit is necessary, it definitely is fun, educational and provides that feel good feeling that you get from a neurologist who is on your side for well being.
Finally, a great place to have a slow lunch in Viterbo is Taverna Etrusca (Dr C's office will phone for a taxi - no mytaxi there). Then a wander around before getting the 4:40pm train back to Orte, then change to Roma train arriving back by 6:35pm.
Also thanks to everyone on this forum who provided information on treatments, logistics of visiting and contact info etc.
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meandpd
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Glad to see you had a good time in Italy and visiting Dr Costantini.
Please note that the Biovea’s B1 ingredients are Thiamine Mononitrate 500 mg and 100 mg Magnesium but Dr Costantini regular recommendation is Thiamine Hcl. I used to take Thiamine from Biovea for sometimes but he strongy advised to get Thiamine HCL which I get from Solgar and its way better than Biovea.
Thiamine Mononitrate causes headache and in some studies suggest that It may cause kidney stones.
You can try Amazon or iherb for the Thiamine Solgar brand.
There will be an import charge at around £8 for 2 bottles I think.DHL will send you a text message for the Customs Duty to be paid before delivering them to you.
Hi royprop. I was interested in what you had to say about the above company. My father struggles with swallowing so I was worried about the size of the solgar tablets. Do you feel you get the same results with the Vitacost B1 HLC ? Are they as pure as solgar (no extra additives) ? Am waiting for the results of my dads datscan to proceed with treatment. It maybe vascular Parkinson's so I am wondering if the B1 would still work in that case as I know the sinemet probably won't. All the best cc
I have not read any bad reports regarding Vitacost brand. I was literally choking down Solgar's until after some practice I managed ok. If I was you I would not delay. Having taken both V and A hcl, there is no therapeutic difference.
I often order supplements from Vitacost so tried to order their Thiamin hcl only to receive a message at checkout that due to UK government restrictions, Vitacost is unable to supply this product to UK customers! 😠 However I was able to order 2 bottles of Solgar 100 tablets.....nonsensical to me!
Hi thanks for your reply. Regarding the solgar tablets it maybe because solgar is already available for sale in many outlets in uk. I can buy solgar locally but wanted it in capsule form not tablet. Shame can't buy Vitacost. All the best cc 🤗
I started with 2g/day and everything was very good till I started folic acid per dr. Constantini recommendation but that gave me trouble. I stopped both and after few days I resumed Thiamine at 1g/day, 1.5/day and back to 2g/day.
Just an impression: at 1.5 I have less tremor and less energy than at 2, but not sure 100%. I'll play with doses between 1.5 to 2.5 for now. I chew the Solgar 500mg pills; they taste kind of sour but I take a bite of dark chocolate after and drink water. Initially I did not like the taste but now I got used to it.
I posted both emails here, the one he told me to add B complex and folic acid and the one he told me to stop the folic acid. Maybe for some people folic acid may help but it did not help me.
If he cannot chew them then you can smash them into powder and mix with small amount of water to drink the containt and then drink extra water. I'm doing that with the turmeric capsules which are pretty big.
Also you can buy Thiamine HCL in powder format according to some of the people here.
No, you need 500mg b1 size. I ordered from G and G vitamins here in the UK (but not cheap) gandgvitamins.com/vitamin-b...
Also I ordered Solgar B1 500mg from iHerb in USA - not sure if I will have to pay import taxes on this - due to arrive next week. Solgar seems to be the preferred brand uk.iherb.com/pr/Solgar-Vita...
It is correct, as you can see by scrolling the photos of the jar to the right, the last is the photo of the label that says "Vitamin b1 as thiamine hcl" which is the formulation that interests us when water-soluble b1 which has according to my view the fact that it takes very little time in the body and therefore allow prolonged use without particular contraindications, but much more important is also that recommended by the doctor.
On my trip to Florence, I met with Lorenzo de Medici [Godfather of the Italian Renaissance] in the Piazza de Santa Croce. He offered advice about facing chronic and progressive motor disorders as he and his father and grandfather all faced major issues that led to shortened lives. They did not let their medical illnesses stop them from making major contributions. I also met with Saint Francis of Assisi and William Faulkner. You can get more detail from my website. crvoyles.com
My husband has an appointment on 5th June with Dr Costantini. Thank you for the info. I was going to hire a driver to get there from Rome but I will look into the train ride....it will save a lot of money that is for sure! I am just not a fan of the Italian trains but hopefully it will work out for us too..I will also post after appointment 😀
It's an Italian group. From their "anecdotal" study: over 60% of the participants have found an improvement in their quality of life (from following Dr. C's B1 protocol)
According to Dr. Costantini, that statement is wrong! What he has said previously is that even people who show normal levels of thiamine in testing, can also show improvement with the addition of thiamine as per his protocol.
Hi ya - I’ve only just come across your post and found it so informative, I hope that this has helped you since you saw Dr C 3 yrs ago. I started my hubby on 1-2 500g Solgar tablets 2 months ago and haven’t seen any difference. I’m aware that unfortunately Dr C was tragically taken due to Covid last year but do you know if his practise is still operating under someone else? We’ve had so many holidays in Viterbo I almost cried when I read that this was where Dr C did so much great work. Hoping you are well and I’d welcome any advice or suggestions. We are in the UK. Thank you in advance. Larraine
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