[rosebud]

A few weeks ago I was sitting mindlessly looking out the window and something occurred to me that I have never given any thought to before. In thinking back to all my Neurologist and Dr. appointments over the last ten years, none of them have ever asked me whats going on in my private life.
I have been given a mind-boggling variety of drugs for depression, anxiety, tremors, stress, high blood pressure etc etc etc....yet none of the doctors I've talked to have said, "and how is your personal life going?" Any connection between why your having trouble and whats going on in your life? Of course the answer is a resounding YES! They just write the prescription out for whatever will deaden the pain thats being caused by life and I go get some of that stuff and dutifully take it. And my PD improves some, or maybe I just become more of a zombie! Has anyone had a doctor who has actually approached your dis-ease with a holistic approach? I'd like to hear about it. We are much more than walking chemistry (on the days we actually walk that is ) I feel like my PD is a product of my life and my perspective on it. Your comments???

[paula_w]

But rosebud, they don't have time for that stuff, at least not in America for those on medicare. The clock ticks and medicare covers something like 11 minutes [unsure of the number]. Besides, if it turns to be stress, chances are that wouldn't be his/her specialty.

geez, demanding aren't you?
paula

[Jomar]

I've heard of mind/body healing techinques here's some info-

Mind-Body Medicine: An Overview [NCCAM Backgrounder]
This fact sheet provides basic information about mind-body medicine, ... may be mind-body strategies that could be used in patients with Parkinson's disease ...
http://www.nccam.nih.gov/health/back...s/mindbody.htm - 33k - Cached - Similar pages

Mind/Body Medicine - HealthWorld Online
Mind/Body Medicine News. Tai Ji may help those suffering from Parkinson's... The ancient art of Tai Ji may have a new application - Parkinson's disease ...
www.healthy.net/scr/therapy.asp?Thid=18 - 71k - Cached - Similar pages

Mind/Body Health - HealthWorld Online
View Archives of Mind Body Health ... Mind/Body Health Exercises for Breathing, Movement and Massage ... Parkinson's is a... more Mind-Body Health news ...
www.healthy.net/wellness/mindbody - 74k - Cached - Similar pages

[ More results from www.healthy.net ]
Mental and Physical Health - mind/body
The mind and the body are actually a single system. ... dopamine agonist therapy, a drug therapy to control movement problems caused by Parkinson’s disease. ...
http://www.mentalhealth.about.com/od..._mind_body.htm - 24k - Cached - Similar pages

Psychologist Says Tackling Parkinson's Starts With Mind
Coping with some of the debilitating physical effects of Parkinson's disease may be a matter of mind over body, an integrative medicine expert says. ...
http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/newspub/...07symptoms.cfm - 18k - Cached - Similar pages

Mind-body Connection In Placebo Surgery Trial Studied By ...
Mind-body Connection In Placebo Surgery Trial Studied By University Of Denver Researcher. ScienceDaily (Apr. 8, 2004) — Patients with Parkinson's disease ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0408084240.htm - 46k - Cached - Similar pages

ScienceDaily: Mind & Brain News
Parkinson's Disease: Nicotine Reduces Levodopa-induced Dyskinesias ... October 24, 2007 — While different cultures celebrate different body types, ...
www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/ - Similar pages

Mind-body medicine - Complementary & alternative medicine ...
Mind-body medicine focuses on the interactions among the brain, mind, body, .... may be mind-body strategies that could be used in patients with Parkinson's ...
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/.../...-body-medicine - 72k - Cached - Similar pages

What does the placebo effect say about the mind-body dilemma?
The study concerned Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that .... The placebo effect seems to be proof of the fact that the mind and body are ...
http://www.serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/...1/ppujara.html - 15k - Cached - Similar pages

Meridian Institute - Home Page
... energy medicine, mind-body healing, diet/nutrition and spirituality. ... including disease conditions such as Parkinson's disease and asthma as well as ...
www.meridianinstitute.com/ - 19k - Cached - Similar pages


this book is one that I have seen recommended { in most libraries}
The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain (Paperback)
by John E. Sarno (Author) "Since TMS and its equivalents are initiated by psychological phenomena, an explanation of the psychology of mindbody disorders is the logical place to begin..." (more)

[ol'cs]

.... I'm afraid that you are assuming that anybody actually CARES about you.
In todays me, me, me,me world, "the HEALTY'S" walk around with only a few things on their minds 1) Get this damn job over as quick and as painless as possible 2) what's to eat. 3) Where's the bathroom 4) God, that person turns me on, i wonder if there's any chance of "getting some" from them tonight. 5) Shhit, I've gotta pay those bills 6) I wonder how much extra MONEY i'll get to SHOP this week.7) I wonder how i can get MORE MONEY 8) What's on the tube tonight. 9) When's and what's for dinner 10) 100,000 other things relating to THEM. not you, THEM.
We live in a selfish "who cares" world. I know it's not true totally between some spouses, relatives and friends, but your doctor? Fat chance.
Wouldn't it be nice if there were more people that cared about others in this world. BUT, 'FRAID NOT

[indigogo]

I go to a great doctor at a fantastic PD clinic; they take the holistic approach; what is happening in my life is always part of the discussion; my life situation is considered and contemplated as carefully as a change in meds. There are psychologists, physical, occupational and speech therapists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants on staff and ready to assist three neurologists who are all movement disorder specialists.

I'm lucky to live in the Pacific Northwest with PD. My doctor, Monique Giroux, is working with Ruth Hagestuen of the NPF in a program called "Allied Team Training" to try to develop a national model of care based on the team approach.

[vlhperry]

I have you beat. Did you know that Ruth Halgestrom started at the Struthers Parkinson's Center in Golden Valley, MN.? That is where I go, Dr. Martha Nance is my doctor. They also offer a program tailored to meet a patient's needs, whether it be speech therapy, music therapy, physical therapy or occupational therapy plus have a social worker on staff 5 days a week. They also have a home set up for PWPD who caregivers can leave their loved one for awhile if they need a break.

Vicky

[rosebud]

It's not a revelation in my life that if I don't look after me, nobody else is going to do it for me. Yes Paula, I know I'm just toooo demanding. If I wasn't such a pain in the butt I'm sure I'd be in a wheelchair by now. In Canada I think we get 20 minutes on government time. I've been lucky so far as my first GP after I was diagnosed had no use for the government or their policies and has been relieved of his duties at age 72 and is free to go sailing every day now! My Neuro is learning to like me and smiles at me when he sees me now and is willing to spend a penny of his own to talk to me. But Yes you are absolutley right Paula, they don't have the time. (or the specialty....another bugaboo in the system).

Carey, you are very fortunate to have Bill Bell and a few other really dedicated people in the PNW area who have made things better than the norm. (can Bill be cloned?)

jo55: Thanks for all the links. I'll peruse them at my leisure. I've read some of the mind-body literature; most recently " Anatomy of an Illness" by Norman Cousins which I found at the local recycle centre for 99 cents. Worth every penny too.

CS...ever the cheery and uplifting voice. I liked your list of things that really are important. Very male perspective. I would submit these top 10 questions on the mind of every healthy female: Who ate all the chocolate chip cookies? 2.) I need another tube of mascara, this one is the wrong shade of black! 3.) Three hundred pairs of shoes and not a pair that goes with this outfit! 4.) Who finished of the corn chips? 5.) Close the friggin door, do you think I work for the heating company? 6.) the dog's in heat... again...don't let her out or I'll kick your butt! 7.) I just went grocery shopping -what do you mean there's no milk? 8.) I hate this haircut! 9.) If you want sex tonight you better take out ALL the garbage! 10.) On second thought I'm not interested anyway...

[jcitron]

Rose,

Your experience is not new. My first neurologist saw me for all of 11 - 13 minutes for the year that I saw him. This was even for me very first consulation, when he looked at me and handmed me a photo-copied website and brochure on dystonia, which he was convinced I had.

My current neurologist and my primary care doctor are totally different. After the doctor-patient business, we talk personal stuff and it really makes a big difference in how I feel after the visit. My neuro is also a pianist, and we have a good conversation about music, which always makes me feel great.

In the old days the doctors could treat each patient as a person, but in the current way of doing things, it seems that the doctors that belong to medical businesses, like my first neuro, end up treating the patient like another product being shipped from a warehouse. To the clinic, the patient is no longer a human being, the person becomes a source of revenue, therefore, the doctors are under obligation to see as many patients as they can in any given day. In some ways I feel that the doctors would like things the way they used to be, but the medical organizations and the HMOs have the control over the situation.

John

[lou_lou]

you would think differently...



PS: Sorry charlie! -

[Jaye]

I have the Dream Team at the NPF Udall Center in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins. They have extra time to spend with me when I go in to participate in research. My internist (primary) is also at Johns Hopkins, where they are all on the faculty of the medical school. My treatment is much as Carey described hers, except that i go out and find my own Physical Therapists and such, and sometimes imaging and lab services. Also very important, I have the sand to argue and ask for explanations, and by great good fortune and 28 years of hard work I have a husband who goes with me to my appointments and participates. I have a spiritual adviser who visits me once a month or so to help me keep my attitude good.

Oh, and I still have PD.

Jaye