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Old 03-01-2009, 11:49 AM
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reverett123 reverett123 is offline
In Remembrance
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,772
15 yr Member
reverett123 reverett123 is offline
In Remembrance
reverett123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,772
15 yr Member
Default A matter of balance

I think that most of us have noticed how darned hard it is to get back to ON if we forget to take the next dose. The idea of lost equilibrium makes that a little more understandable to me.

Joop and I briefly talked about the endocrine system's role in all this, and it is all about balance. In the early 20th century a Hungarian scientist named Hans Selye delved into this and coined the term "homeostasis" to describe the balancing act required to maintain inner stability in a fluctuating environment. The leading researcher today on this is Dr. Bruce McEwen. A good article by him for laymen is at http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/McEwen.html

A healthy inner system is like a spinning top and can right itself again and again. But as stresses accumulate, the top wobbles more and more. A big load of meds might be increasing the wobble.


Quote:
Originally Posted by joopoele View Post
Rick,

That's the idea. If you disturb a living system, it will react to restore the equilibrium. If this disturbance is violent, the reaction will be like wise. That is why I think it is better to let the medication sneak in.

When you need medication, the body is in stress, trying to rise the dopamine level. When you add a small amount of levodopa, you will make life easier. When you add too much the system will try to get rid of the excess levodopa or even the excess dopamine.

It's a theory no absolute truth, but I think it is very reasonable.

Joop
__________________
Born in 1953, 1st symptoms and misdiagnosed as essential tremor in 1992. Dx with PD in 2000.
Currently (2011) taking 200/50 Sinemet CR 8 times a day + 10/100 Sinemet 3 times a day. Functional 90% of waking day but fragile. Failure at exercise but still trying. Constantly experimenting. Beta blocker and ACE inhibitor at present. Currently (01/2013) taking ldopa/carbadopa 200/50 CR six times a day + 10/100 form 3 times daily. Functional 90% of day. Update 04/2013: L/C 200/50 8x; Beta Blocker; ACE Inhib; Ginger; Turmeric; Creatine; Magnesium; Potassium. Doing well.
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