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Hi Peter and Janet, I feel a tad responsible here as I posted the NEWS on this initially. I post lots of things I read but, rest assured, I don't necessarily endorse or believe everything I read on the Internet even if it is on the BBC NEWS Wire. Why did I post it? Well, it is happening, it's on the BBC and "in the news", so I'd rather "put it out there" and hope it elicits an educated response, such as your post. Thank you for a timely reply. This is sharing at it's best if we can all learn something here, even if it is what not to do! Best regards ..................... murray On 18 Feb 2001, at 15:21, Peter Dawkins Parkinson's Australia wrote: > > Dear Janet, > Sorry about the lack of respect for the listserver. We all try our best > and the knowledge of how best to send it I now have thanks to you. It > is an important issue and has been vetted by our (Parkinson's > Australia's) Scientific Committee, although authored by me. > > Ecstasy Use In Parkinson's Disease > > With the recent press reports on Ecstasy being used by a British man > with Parkinson's disease, it is essential that this is not interpreted > as an endorsement for other sufferers to try it. The drug, which is > illegal and dangerous, can alter brain serotonin levels in users. It has > long been known that a drug working on the secretion of serotonin > would improve the symptoms of a person with Parkinson's disease, > especially if they are prone to depression. Drugs such as Prosac, > have occasionally been prescribed for Pd. While they have helped some > patients, in others it can increase symptoms such as shaking. Also the > MOAB inhibitor Eldepryl, works by changing the serotonin levels, and > was thought for sometime to be the first drug to slow the progress of > Parkinson's. This is now in doubt. It may very well do so, but in > Parkinson's disease the symptoms manifest themselves when 80% of the > brain cells are already dead. By this stage it may be too late to halt > the progress. However some doctors still prescribe it as part of the > drug combination that people with Parkinson's generally have to take. > To unbalance specialist treatment of a highly complex neurological > disorder by using this designer drug, can be extremely dangerous. > > Under no circumstances should people with Pd take Ecstasy. It is > produced by backyard chemists with little or no qualifications in the > manufacture of drugs. Their motive is pure greed, and they have no > qualms about what goes into the formula. According to the Minister for > Customs, Amanda Vanstone, it is often mixed with ingredients such as > crushed glass so that the drug takers feel a rush after taking the > Ecstasy. It has also been found laced with strychnine and rat poison. > It is essential that people with Parkinson's who either read about the > claims or hear the information second hand, are not encouraged to > experiment with this drug. The risk is simply too great. > > > For further information contact your local Parkinson's organization or > Peter Dawkins, > CEO Parkinson's Australia. <[log in to unmask]> > *******************************