Hi Max, many thanks for your very detailed account. I agree with what you say and conclude, since I have been through a very similar journey. I was diagnosed in 1991, 10 years earlier than yourself, and older, (I am 73 next month). I was a research chemist, making unknown and new chemicals whose toxicity was not measured. I was a keen gardener, and used paraquat extensively on a plot of nearly one acre. I had a stressful career, ending with running a hazardous chemical factory for 10 years, (we made the same chemicals as used by the London bombers, but we made it in ton batches, not kilos!).
The one point I would warn you of, is that you have had PD for 8 years since diagnosis. During that period, I progressed very slowly, indeed, I ran the factory for 6 years after diagnosis until 2007. I hardly showed any obvious symptoms. I was frequently able to go without sinemet for months at a time. However, your experience rings true of a real recovery, rather than a slow progression.
In those days, you were put automatically on sinemet, as soon as you were diagnosed. After about 8 yeaes from diagnosis, my symptoms worsened, I was seduced by sinemet to function more normally, and my intake climbed. I reached a max of around 800 mg per day of levodopa, and unmedicated, I was dreadful at about the 10 year mark.
I then started in earnest to really study the disease, and tried many supplements. I credit curcumin and CPD choline with giving the most improvement. I got out more, got more exercise, and tried to reduce my sinemet. After a year or more, I had reduced it to around 400 mg,
By 2006, I read about the research into helicobacter pilori erradication to improve PD, and met the research team. They tested me for HP and treated me to remove it. I am now on around 200mg on average, after 18 years of PD. Much more and I suffer terrible dyskinesia. My body rejects it. Now I sometimes take the dog a walk totally unmedicated, whereas 8 years ago I could not walk. Today, I had a dental appointment.
I drove myself unmedicated (to avoid dyskinesia in the dentist's chair!!), for half an hour, 45 minutes drilling, then drove myself home.
I have added other supplements, like omega 3 & 6 oils, garlic, manuka honey, and ginger. From the research group, I learned the need to avoid constipation. I take 2 sachets of fybogel per day, and add all bran to my cereals.
I recognise what an impostion all this is, but recovery, as you say, is possible. But only recovery in my case, not yet a cure.
Ron