>There are 18 messages totalling 716 lines in this issue.
>
>Topics of the day:
>
>  1. What do others pay? (4)
>  2. My First Visit to a Neurologist (4)
>  3. Pallidotomy info.
>  4. Book to read!
>  5. ECT and PD
>  6. Parkinson's Cure?
>  7. Fetal implant story
>  8. HMO's
>  9. Information Needed on Dosage of Drugs
> 10. homeopathic helps (2)
> 11. Minority PDs for Research in Arizona
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 00:24:37 -0400
>From:    David Boots <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: What do others pay?
>
>Picked up refills today at Kaiser Hospital here in Santa Rosa, CA
>
>100 tablets: Sinemet CR 50/200
>retail price: $122.90
>my price: $5
>
>300 tablets: Sinemet 25/100
>retail price: $172.00
>my price: $15
>
>200 tablets: Eldepryl 5 mg
>retail price: $350.95
>my price: $20
>
>My coverage saved me $605.85
>
>What do others pay?
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 00:25:33 -0400
>From:    [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: My First Visit to a Neurologist
>
>Steven,  by your area code u live close to ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON HOSPITAL in
>New Brunswick.  They have a fine PD/movement disorder department.
>
>Only my suggestion,   get the best you can
>
>Joyce
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 07:19:37 -0400
>From:    MM <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: What do others pay?
>
>On Wed, 10 Apr 1996, David Boots wrote:
>
>> Picked up refills today at Kaiser Hospital here in Santa Rosa, CA
>>
>> 100 tablets: Sinemet CR 50/200
>> retail price: $122.90
>> my price: $5
>>
>> 300 tablets: Sinemet 25/100
>> retail price: $172.00
>> my price: $15
>>
>> 200 tablets: Eldepryl 5 mg
>> retail price: $350.95
>> my price: $20
>>
>> My coverage saved me $605.85
>>
>> What do others pay?
>>
>
>My BC/BS coverage charges $12 for a three-month supply of anything, when
>ordered by mail.  So,
>
>180 tablets: Eldepryl 5 mg (Rx 2x 30 days * 3)
>my price: $12
>
>xxx tablets: Sinemet (any variety), Amantadine, etc.
>my price: $12
>
>Can't really estimate the savings: the more I take (or have prescribed),
>the more I save. Seems kind of screwy.
>
>========================================================================
>Margaret Monty                                  [log in to unmask]
>========================================================================
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 08:48:28 -0400
>From:    Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: What do others pay?
>
>We feel extremely fortunate re: drug prices---Peter, as a retired
>employee of the state university, is covered by the Public Employees Retirement
> System (Ohio) which has excellent medical insurance. Drugs are available by
>mail from Nat'l RX Services,at $2.00 per R (3 mos. supply) for brand names
>and generics are FREE!  A hurry-up short  term Rx in local drug store
>is maximum $9. brand, $4.50 generic. How I wish everyone had this kind of
>coverage!
>Camilla Flintermann,CG for Peter 76/6+ Oxford,OH
>[log in to unmask]
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Sun, 31 Mar 1996 19:43:41 -0500
>From:    DEBORAH BELLMAN <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Pallidotomy info.
>
>My mother has an appt. in amonth for a consultation re. a pallidotomy at
>Kaiser Hospital in Los Angeles from a Dr. Sutton.
>I am wondering first of all if there is a way to get a list of past notes
>written re. pallidotomies, patients thereof, comments on, etc. Can I
>somehow get a compiled set of such a thing?
>
>And of course, I am interested, to hear any latest comments on the subject.
>I want to know as much as I can. Any good resources, and any
>good/bad/indifferent personal input?
>thank you once agAin
>[log in to unmask]
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 08:19:16 -0400
>From:    [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Book to read!
>
>  You wrote:
>For those of you interested in reading an account of how neural grafts
>ameliorated the symptoms of 3 patients with  MPTP-induced parkinsonism,
>there is now a book available:
>(MPTP is a byproduct of sloppy synthesis of a designer street drug and
>causes Parkinson-like pathology in humans and non-human primates)
>
>Langston, J. William;  Palfreman, Jon:
>The Case Of The Frozen Addicits
>
>Hi All,
>In response to the above posting, you may be interested to know that most of
>the APDA Information & Referral Centers across the U.S. have the video called
>The Case of the Frozen Addicts for loan.
>
>Susan Reese
>Director
>APDA YOPD I&R Center
>1/800-223-9776
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 10:13:13 -0400
>From:    Keith Bea <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: ECT and PD
>
>My father-in-law, age 75, has been receiving electric shock (ECT) treatments
>for six months for PD and depression.  Does anyone have experience or
>knowledge about this treatment regimen?  Any suggestions for professional
>literature on the topic?  The treatments appear to be helping for a short time,
>but we're concerned about long-term effects and whether a different treatment
>should be tried.  He also takes 2 Sinemet a day, but does not tolerate drugs
>well.  Any help will be appreciated.  Thanks.
>
>Keith Bea  ([log in to unmask])
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 09:19:15 -0400
>From:    [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Parkinson's Cure?
>
>A cure for Parkinson's?  No problem.  All it takes is money.
>
>It's not AIDS.  Hundreds of millions are spent each year for AIDS research
>and progress is still painfully slow.
>
>It's not cancer.   Millions of people are surviving bouts with cancer today
>but incremental increases in funding for cancer research no longer produce
>correspondingly dramatic breakthroughs.
>
>It's not Alzheimers.  There is no effective treatment for this disease  even
>remotely on the horizon.
>
>It IS Parkinson's.  It effects a relatively tiny number of brain cells.  It
>is the subject of numerous exciting treatment strategies.  It is the most
>promising area of neuroscience research because it may be the first
>neurodegenerative disease that will be effectively treated, then arrested,
>then reversed and finally - CURED.
>
>But when?
>
>Five years?
>Ten years?
>Fifteen years?
>Twenty years?
>
>When my father was a young man his grandfather whispered to him, "Alec, help
>me." as he lay frozen in his hospital bed.  My father was haunted by those
>words for all of his adult life because he knew he had been powerless to
>help.  His family eventually delivered his father to a hospital for
>"Incurables".
>
>My father was diagnosed with PD in 1975.  He immediately sank into a deep
>depression remembering what his father had been through.  Thankfully,
>research provided a much better quality of life for my dad.  But, how can any
>of us stand by and do nothing when we are so close to ending the suffering?
>
>PD will not be cured through private research funding alone.  All of the U.S.
> Parkinson's organizations combined can support less than $5 million on
>research each year.  That's less than 20% of what the National Institute of
>Health spends with even a modest budget.
>
>Scientists tell us that if we are to cure Parkinson's by the end of the
>decade we will need to spend $100 million per year.  It sounds like a lot,
>but it is nothing compared to the cost to society of lost productivity,
>disability, healthcare and suffering for the more than one million Americans
>with PD and their families.
>
>Come to Washington, D.C. in May to learn how you can help us put an end to
>Parkinson's NOW.  We are gaining support in Congress for the Udall bill.  We
>need more.  We need to let Congress know that our lives are important and
>that they can do something meaningful to help us without "wasting" taxpayers'
>hard-earned money.  When you send your check on April 15th send a message to
> your legislator explaining how you want a tiny fraction of it spent.
>
>If you are concerned about the cost of travel to Washington there are ways to
>help.  Talk to the members of your local support group.  It is a certainly a
>worthwhile use of your treasury's funds.
>
>Contact the Parkinson's Action Network ([log in to unmask]) - there are
>limited funds available for scholarships to the Forum.
>
>Call the American Parkinson's Disease Association and the National
>Parkinson's Foundation.  They may be able to help as well.  They understand
>the importance of the government funding mandated by the Udall bill.  This
>spring we have had more cooperation in the effort to pass the bill than ever
>before.   It is in all of our best interests to maximize the impact of the
>Forum and that means more attendees.
>
>I am sure that some families living in the Washington, D.C. area would love
>to host a Parkinson's "activist" for three days in May. Any volunteers?
> Those of us within driving distance have been known to carpool and share
>rooms at the Forum.  Any other suggestions?
>
>See you in Washington in May.
>
>
>'96 - The Year We Pass the Udall Bill.
>
>Fund the research.  Find the cure.
>
>
>
>Ken Aidekman
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 10:24:30 -0400
>From:    Mark Lyte <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: What do others pay?
>
>David Boots wrote:
>>
>> Picked up refills today at Kaiser Hospital here in Santa Rosa, CA
>>
>> 100 tablets: Sinemet CR 50/200
>> retail price: $122.90
>> my price: $5
>>
>> 300 tablets: Sinemet 25/100
>> retail price: $172.00
>> my price: $15
>>
>> 200 tablets: Eldepryl 5 mg
>> retail price: $350.95
>> my price: $20
>>
>> My coverage saved me $605.85
>>
>> What do others pay?
>
>Believe it or not, my dad who lives in Florida pays about $620. He has
>to rely mainly on Medicare/Medicaid and a co-insurance policy he buys to
>get back some of the Medicare deductible.  The monthly payment for
>Sinemet alone is breaking their savings.
>
>If anyone has any suggestions I would be glad to hear them.  I should
>note that for years I have tried to get my dad enrolled in a HMO that
>would cover his drug costs.  He has adamatly refused and constantly
>cites all the bad experiences of his friends (although he has had his
>own share of uncaring, unfeeling fee-for-service neurologists).  He is
>72 years old and has been diagnosed with PD for 15 years.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Mark Lyte
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 10:47:56 -0400
>From:    Kathie Tollifson <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Fetal implant story
>
>I found this article following links from Patrik's NECTAR page. Sounds like
>good news!
>
>XXXXX
>
>Brain disorder treatment hailed
>
>Los Angeles Times
>
>Thursday, March 28, 1996
>(Page A 3 and continued on page A 24)
>
>Health:  Fetal cell transplants halted progression of fatal
>Huntington's disease in three patients, L.A. researchers
>say.
>
>By Thomas H. Maugh II,  Times Medical Writer
>
>Researchers at Good Samaritan Hospital on Wednesday reported the
>first successful use of fetal cell transplants to treat Huntington's
>disease, offering hope for the first effective treatment of the
>fatal brain disorder.
>
>Dr. Deane B. "Skip" Jacques and his colleagues told
>a meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in San Francisco
>that the transplants halted progression of the disease in the
>three patients treated and reversed some of the deterioration
>that had occurred.
>
>Although the patients need to be studied longer to ensure the
>survival of the grafts, "I think we could impact Huntington's
>in a revolutionary way," said Dr. Matthias Kurth of the Barrow
>Neurosciences Institute in Phoenix, who evaluated the patients.
>
>
>Matthew Hopson, a 24-year-old from Phoenix who received the first
>graft in July, put it more succinctly:"It saved my life."
>
>
>Huntington's is one of the more common inherited brain disorders.
> About 25,000 Americans have it, and an additional 60,000 carry
>the defective gene and will develop the disorder as they age.
> The slowly progressive condition, which killed folk singer Woody
>Guthrie, usually comes on between the ages of 30 and 50 and causes
>the degeneration of brain cells.
>
>It is characterized by jerky, involuntary movements called chorea,
>loss of control of bodily functions, and dementia, a progressive
>deterioration of memory and thought processes.  Children of patients
>have a 50% chance of developing the disorder, which is invariably
>fatal within 10 to 15 years after onset.
>
>Although researchers hope to develop therapies based upon the
>discovery three years ago of the defective gene that causes Huntington's,
>no effective therapy exists.  Success with transplants would represent
>a major step forward in improving the condition of Huntington's
>patients.
>
>Fetal cell transplants are being widely studied as a treatment
>of Parkinson's disease, and the Good Samaritan group is one of
>the leaders in that effort.
>
>Jacques' team has performed the procedure on 40 patents and reports
>in this month's Journal of Cell Transplantation that 70% of them
>have shown significant improvement in neurological functions.
> The remaining 30% are now taking less medication for their Parkinson's
>and none have deteriorated as a result of the transplant.
>
>Animal experiments suggest that Huntington's may be a much better
>prospect for transplants than Parkinson's, said Dr. Oleg V. Kopyov
>of Good Samaritan. In Parkinson's, the transplanted cells serve
>simply as a source of brain hormones, particularly dopamine and
>growth factors.
>
>But in animal models of Huntington's, the transplanted cells actually
>become integrated into the brains's structure, restoring neural
>circuitry that was destroyed by the disease. "It lends itself
>better to transplants than anything else in the brain," Kurth
>said.  Although several groups have talked about performing the
>transplants, no one has yet reported any results.
>
>
>The Good Samaritan team actually performed their first transplant
>a little sooner than they had planned when Kurth told them about
>Hopson.  He is an unusual Huntington's patient in that his first
>symptoms appeared early, at age 20, and the disease progressed
>very rapidly.
>
>Researchers now know that this early onset is a function of the=7F
>degree of mutation in the Huntington's gene, and Hopson's gene
>is, in fact, severely mutated -- much more so than the gene carried
>by his father.  The elder Hopson, 48, has not yet developed the
>disease.
>
>By the time that Hopson underwent surgery in July, he was bed-bound,
>said his mother, Sherry Cauldwell.
>
>If he tried to walk, he fell, and he had bruises and cuts=7F
>all over his body," Cauldwell said. "We had to spoon-feed
>him.  He had tremors in his voice so bad that his speech was=
> incomprehensible,
>which really made it difficult because he also couldn't write."
>
>
>Kurth was examining Hopson every month and it became apparent
>that he was declining rapidly. "He had maybe five years
>of life left, which weren't going to be very pretty", Kurth
>said.  He discussed the case with Jacques and Skip said,
>"`Why don't we do a transplant?"
>
>
>The results from the surgery surprised even the research team.
>"Our expectations were exceeded a lot",Kopyov said.
>"We couldn't expect what we obtained."
>
>Within 10 days after the surgery," Kopyov said, "Hopson was walking
>and talking and had no chorea. We thought it was a placebo
>effect, but we now know that it isn't" the doctor said.
>"But we still don't know how to explain such immediate improvement."
>
>The two other male patients operated on in January showed the
>same type of immediate improvement, but "It was even more
>pronounced" Kopyov said.
>
>Hopson has continued improving and is now living independently
>with a roommate.  He uses a wheelchair, but can walk short distances
>and rides an exercise bicycle.
>
>"I miss playing Frisbee and all that stuff ... but I can
>go anyplace I really want to," he said," I'm slowly
>but surely getting better."
>
>"What we can say with confidence," Kopyov said, "Is
>that the disease is not progressing any more."
>
>The team plans no more transplants for perhaps another year while
>they evaluate the current patients' progress.  They also do not
>have funds to perform further surgeries.  "But if the patients
>continue to show improvement, " Kopyov said," that problem will probably
>resolve itself."
>
>Transcribed from The Los Angeles Times
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 06:58:54 -0400
>From:    DEANNA BARTUCCIO <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: HMO's
>
>Mark Lyte in "What do other's pay?", mentions wanting to enroll his
>father with an HMO. I would just like to make a comment:
>
>I have many friends who are doctors in here in Canada and in the US.
>This weekend I had a indepth discussion of HMO's with them. From what
>I hear, I would stay far away from HMO's. As I have been told, they
>are able to offer good savings and incentives for the patient (One not
>being the limitation of choice of doctor), by skimping on the
>doctor's end, which in turn could causes poor care by the physician.
>The physician is paid a set fee per year by the HMO per patient. This
>amount averaging $75 per year. Therefore, no matter how long the
>visit or how many visits, the physician only earns $75. Therefore,
>doctors could tend to discourage revisits and be brief during visit
>(possibly unthorough), therefore they can see more patients. My
>friend has encountered physicians who have taken up this practice.
>
>I do not wish to scare anyone, just to pass on information I know.
>There is a case where my friend is a resident, where a patient died
>because they were not approved by their HMO to go to the emergency
>room. According to the HMO, they will only pay for emergency room
>visits if it is preapproved by the HMO. That means, calling ahead.
>You, of course, could still go to the emerg but the HMO will not pay
>for it. Well, because the patient was not approved, she did not go to
>the emerg. Later, when chest pains persisted (was instructed to take
>maalox), the husband finally took her on his own, but it was too
>late. The HMO is not responsible (written in the contract) for such
>instances (failure of treatment...), therefore, the doctors are the
>only ones left to "blame" (the patient arrived alive....)
>
>Of course these are views from a physician's perspective, and
>everyone is entitled to their opinions.
>
>Deanna
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 12:57:57 -0400
>From:    Bernie Bessette <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: My First Visit to a Neurologist
>
>>Re. your visit to the meurologist, your symptoms are very similar to mine
>and even the way in which your check-up was done is similar.  One big
>difference though, my neurologists says its Parkinsons, not that that is any
>comfort, however.  Sounds like you need a second opinion, if your HMO will
>agree.  I've also called Emory University and have put myself on the waiting
>list to see Dr. Ray Watts, head neurologist (expect to get in to him in the
>Fall).  I am 47 years old and am getting along with the minimum meds that I
>can.  I put up with the shaking on my left side, taking just enough 100/25
>sinemet CR and elderpril (2X daily) to keep me mobile while minimizing the
>diskinesia.
>
>Good luck,
>
>Bernie Bessette
>
>Hi all:
>>
>>Well, visit number one to the neurologist was not very informative.  My MRI
>>results were negative (just a cyst on sinus) and the neurologist had not
>>seen the results of my blood work.  He asked many questions about symptoms
>>and I explained family history (maternal grandfather with Parkinson's,
>>maternal grandmother and mother both borderline diabetics).
>>
>>...
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 01:54:05 -0400
>From:    Andrew John Conovaloff <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: My First Visit to a Neurologist
>
>Find the largest neuro-specialty clinic you can and
>seek 2nd opinions.
>
>Your HMO may provide a 1 time referral
>
>
> 0===================================================================0
> |       @..@        A.J. CONOVALOFF                                 |
> |      (----)       PSP Support Groups of ARIZONA         __o       |
> |     ( >__< )                                           `\<,       |
> |     ^^ ~~ ^^      [log in to unmask]       . . (*)/`(*)     |
> 0===================================================================0
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 09:55:15 -0400
>From:    Alex Zhang <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Information Needed on Dosage of Drugs
>
>Dear fellows,
>
>Can anyone tell me what popular drugs are and how much those dosages shall be
>for PDers?  I have been on the list for a quite while.  It is a great forum.
>
>My mom suffers a sever PD.  She has to have someone beside her all the time for
>her daily activities such as eating.  She couldn't hold anything even a phone
>handler.   She is in China.  Currently, there isn't many drugs available there
>for PDers.  I want to buy drugs here and let my mom try them for a period.  Can
>any one advise me on commonly applicable grugs and dosages? ...
>
>Appreciate very much for your much needed help.
>
>alex
>[log in to unmask]
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 14:58:42 -0400
>From:    [log in to unmask]
>Subject: homeopathic helps
>
>In answer to  Barbara Paterson and Rosemary Russell, I have found a wonderful
>substance to help with energy/fatigue - it's a natural enzyme called CoQ10 -
>you can buy it any healthfood store or through the mail. I just took it by
>accident, having read a holistic journal describing this "miracle" substance.
>(It has been proven effective agaiinst beast cancer and heart disease)  It's
>made an amazing difference to me. First of all, it gives me much more energy
>(I can now jog 2 miles and U've had PD for 19 years!) It also helped some of
>my smptoms = my "offs" weren't so bad, my walking  became normal when I was
>"on" - i had less bloating in my stomach from permax - and in general, i felt
>better and looked better according to my friends. Some of the doctors around
>here know there is something to this - a study is being done at Mass.
>General. According to my doctor, they know that it helps , but theydon't know
>why. I was sent an article from the "Journal of Experimental Neurology" (I
>think that's the title) confirming this view on CoQ10 and alsos saying that
>if you combine it with nicotinmide, the results are even better. I think
>thatis true from my own experience. Another holistic  substance I take is
>Gingko . It's supposed to help the brain, somehow, and I have found that my
>head is much clearer since I've been taking it - I used to have much more
>trouble remembering things, following the courseof an argument, etc. but
>Ithink it must be the gingkothat 's made the difference.  i also to used to
>have a problem with anxiety which cme in connection with my sinemet dose. One
>of the first signs i had of wearing off was anxiety "pains" in my chest -as
>soon as the next dose took effect, anxiety gone. I now take Kava kava (from a
>plant in the south seas) which is supposed to relax you and make you feel
>good - and I think it does! The anxiety is all gone! Ayway, try these ideas
>if you feel like it -and good luck! Anne King ([log in to unmask])
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 20:36:46 -0400
>From:    Richard Thompson <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: My First Visit to a Neurologist
>
>You wrote:
>
>>Date:    Tue, 9 Apr 1996 12:11:03 -0400
>>From:    "Stephen B. Duff" <[log in to unmask]>
>>Subject: My First Visit to a Neurologist
>>
>>Hi all:
>>
>>Well, visit number one to the neurologist was not very informative.
>
>Stephen:
>
>The following is something I wrote to a friend about my diagnostic adventure...
>
>"My family practice Dr. (PPO/HMO) recorded the symptoms and asked me to come
>back in a month. After that month he referred me to a neurologist in
>Orlando. The neurologist interviewed me and performed a battery of movement
>tests. He then immediately sent me out for a full blood workup and a 3 hour
>MRI series.  When I reported back to the neuro. the tests had ruled out a
>whole bunch of uglies... MS, stroke, arterial sclerosis, Wilson's Disease,
>occluded arteries to the brain, etc. That was some comfort, but there was
>still no answer. The suggestion was "come back in three months".
>
>In retrospect, I think the Orlando neuro. was unwilling to make the
>diagnosis he suspected. He was frustrated that I couldn't better articulate
>my symptoms and I was frustrated with his frustration. After 3 months things
>were still slowly getting worse so he suggested I go up to Shands (U of
>Florida)in Gainesville. He finally alluded to the possibility of Parkinsons
>the last visit I had with him before going to Shands.
>
>With some idea what to look for I went off on a typical "engineer-type
>research project". It didn't take too many books on the subject of
>Parkinsons for me to realize I had all the symptoms of Young-onset PD
>(Parkinsons Disease).
>
>I drove the two hours up to Gainesville on a weekday. Dr. Greer's staff
>spent about 2 hours interviewing me to prepare a history. Then Dr. Greer
>reviewed the history and the results of all the previous tests. After a very
>few other movement related tests he made the PD diagnosis in absence of any
>other disease explanation. The only fully conclusive way to diagnose PD is
>with an autopsy and he and I both agreed that this was probably a little
>radical at the present time."
>
>My prayers go with you. Its a slow, sometimes frustrating process.
>
>Rich Thompson
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 20:46:49 -0400
>From:    Andrew John Conovaloff <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Minority PDs for Research in Arizona
>
>Minority Parkinsonian's Wanted by Researcher in Arizona
>-------------------------------------------------------
>
>Hans-Leo Teulings studies handwriting at Arizona State
>University using a computerized writing surface that
>records writing pressure, speed, etc.
>
>He is a micrographia (small handwriting) specialist who
>is looking for parkinsonian's from minority groups.
>
>If that's you, and you are interested in what he does,
>please contact him at:
>
>                        [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> 0===================================================================0
> |       @..@        A.J. CONOVALOFF                                 |
> |      (----)       PSP Support Groups of ARIZONA         __o       |
> |     ( >__< )                                           `\<,       |
> |     ^^ ~~ ^^      [log in to unmask]       . . (*)/`(*)     |
> 0===================================================================0
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 1996 21:09:26 -0400
>From:    "J.R. Bruman" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: homeopathic helps
>
>Be careful with kava! It may aggravate your PD! To read about it
>look up the following reference:
>
>Schelosky L et al: J Neur Neurosurg Psych 1995;58:639-640:
>Kava, a tranquilizing herbal beverage popular in the South Pacific and
>also sold in Europe, seems to aggravate PD symptoms by antagonizing
>dopamine and therefore should be avoided by PD patients. (JRB)
>
>Cheers, Joe
>
>J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694
>3527 Cody Road
>Sherman Oaks CA 91403
>
>
>On Wed, 10 Apr 1996 [log in to unmask] wrote:
>
>> In answer to  Barbara Paterson and Rosemary Russell, I have found a wonderful
>> substance to help with energy/fatigue - it's a natural enzyme called CoQ10 -
>> you can buy it any healthfood store or through the mail. I just took it by
>> accident, having read a holistic journal describing this "miracle" substance.
>> (It has been proven effective agaiinst beast cancer and heart disease)  It's
>> made an amazing difference to me. First of all, it gives me much more energy
>> (I can now jog 2 miles and U've had PD for 19 years!) It also helped some of
>> my smptoms = my "offs" weren't so bad, my walking  became normal when I was
>> "on" - i had less bloating in my stomach from permax - and in general, i felt
>> better and looked better according to my friends. Some of the doctors around
>> here know there is something to this - a study is being done at Mass.
>> General. According to my doctor, they know that it helps , but theydon't know
>> why. I was sent an article from the "Journal of Experimental Neurology" (I
>> think that's the title) confirming this view on CoQ10 and alsos saying that
>> if you combine it with nicotinmide, the results are even better. I think
>> thatis true from my own experience. Another holistic  substance I take is
>> Gingko . It's supposed to help the brain, somehow, and I have found that my
>> head is much clearer since I've been taking it - I used to have much more
>> trouble remembering things, following the courseof an argument, etc. but
>> Ithink it must be the gingkothat 's made the difference.  i also to used to
>> have a problem with anxiety which cme in connection with my sinemet dose. One
>> of the first signs i had of wearing off was anxiety "pains" in my chest -as
>> soon as the next dose took effect, anxiety gone. I now take Kava kava (from a
>> plant in the south seas) which is supposed to relax you and make you feel
>> good - and I think it does! The anxiety is all gone! Ayway, try these ideas
>> if you feel like it -and good luck! Anne King ([log in to unmask])
>>
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of PARKINSN Digest - 9 Apr 1996 to 10 Apr 1996
>**************************************************
                                   >
Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D.