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>>I am a neurologist as well, and trained under Dr. Nutt. I can assure you >>that dietary protein IS important. >> >>Thomas W. Shinder, M.D. >>Neurology >>Little Rock, AR >> >Dear Tom, > >Thanks for the comment. > >I am a physician also- (a psychiatrist) and I get angry when members of our >profession discount the experiences of our patients (and sometimes send them >to me to "fix" them). I have a friend who sees a neurologist (in a >different city) who basically does not support the notion that protein plays >a major role. While there is room for debate on such questions the >discounting can interfere with the Dr.-pt relationship. The mechanism many >physicians use (including I'm sorry to say- me on occasion) when we are >frustrated by a difficult illness is to label the patient as a "difficult >patient" and discount them as either having emotional problems or just as >"Bad" or "uncooperative" rather than face our own impotence. That is not >to say that there is not a subgroup of patients whose problems have a >strong emotional component. Sorry - I had to get that off my chest. > > Regarding protein sensitivity, certainly the question of GI absorption >plays a significant role and it appears that there is a great deal of >variability among patients (and- yes- emotional factors do play a role.) I >wonder if a blinded study has been done among patients who claim to be >protein sensitive rating them after consuming a high- protein diet for a day >or 2 or low protein? Are you aware of any characteristics of protein >sensitive patients that separate them from those who do not have this problem? > >Any comments from members of the list on either of the issues I have brought >up would be welcomed. > >Charlie >Charles T. Meyer >Madison, WI > >[log in to unmask] I am personally convinced that high intake of some proteins concurrently with levodopa interferes with its absorption. I was in the habit of taking my levodopa an washing it down with artificially sweetened blackcurrent. The effects on me were somewhat erratic. Sometimes all PD symptoms would be diminished, at othertimes some would remain. I then noted that the sweetener (marketed under the name of Nutrasweet) included phenylalanine which in turn has a molecular structure somewhat similar to dopamine. I switched to the sugar sweetened variety and all my PD symptoms were diminished - in some cases to the point of eradication. I believe that other changes to my medication, diet and lifestyle (more fibre, more exercise, less feeling sorry for myself) have also helped. I was examined by a neurologist on May 26th and he said that he found it difficult to believe that I had Parkinsons at all - he had not seen me before I started the levodopa + eldepryl + florinef + Vitamen E + high fibre + exercise + positive thinking. Right now I feel "normal" for the first time in three years. Incidentally, when I first started on levodopa I felt constantly nauseous and it was several months before I could take the medication without unpleasant side effects. I am writing this to encourage other Parkies to persist with adjusting their diet/medication schedule/exercise etc until they find the combination that is right for them. Each new combination should be given a fair run (several weeks at least) before trying something else. It has taken me about a year to get my combination right; and of course it will change as the condition "progresses". P.S. I am also convinced that in my case, Eldepryl (seligiline) has slowed down the rate of progression. Best wishes to everyone Andrew Wake Faculty of Education, Central Queensland University Rockhampton Queensland Australia 4702 Phone (079) 309694 Fax (079) 309604 e-mail [log in to unmask]