Aunt Bean, I am so sorry for your loss....will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

A new challenge here at Bean Acres....we came back to the farm from our 2nd trip to Ohio and our "Buck" rabbit THUMPER was paralyzed in his hind quarters...the neighbors who were caring for the rabbits never knew what happened to him, he just wasn't moving one morning. He is healthy, eating , drinking ,and perky. I have him in a box in an unheated laundry room most of the time. As often as possible, I take him out in the yard and exercise him (picking up his waist and letting him walk with his front legs, massaging his spine and hips) I found letting him drag himself down the walkways of the greenhouse between the raised beds is great for him.We dumped the last bags of grass clippings there and it is soft for his tummy.
I am hoping that if it was a break in his spine of just a pinched nerve that perhaps he will heal and become more mobile again. We are trying to figure out a support cart (with wheels) to give him more freedom and exercise. He may become the "star" of the farm for all ages.
Things happen for a reason. Sometimes the reason is not very apparent right away. We all have handicaps and this little rabbit seems like an overcomer to me ...an animal that can bring encouragement , laughter and hope to a human with handicaps....perhaps that is his new purpose in life....not breeding. He has already sired 2 beautiful litters and fulfilled God's command to populate the earth..(12 adorable bunnies are here because of him) and they have already brought joy to the neighborhood...children and adults alike.
My first attempt at wheels for the rabbit was a failure. This morning I am checking the internet for possible plans someone else has constructed that works for hind leg paralysis.
Who knows...he might follow me around like a puppy...he feels more secure outside when I am near...noises frighten him for sure. Blessings!!!

Aunt Bean, Am sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family and especially prayers for the wee one. Madelyn

Well, Thumper , the rabbit, (original name, huh?) is still making it ok.. He is in the greenhouse right now with one of his 6 plus week old babies...it really livens him up.
I started taking Rhodiola capsules on Thursday this week ...just one in the morning , to see if it has any benefit for PD. So far no effects that I have noticed,, though I may have skipped a dose of tincture yesterday.. when I've been really busy I am not sure how many times I have taken it. It is almost 2 and I am just now beginning to have pain in my neck and shoulders (have only had 2 doses so far...not bad) I will report in a few days)
Hope you all have a very blessed Christmas this year.....love , Aunt Bean

Just a quick report. I have been taking Rhodiola Herb now for 2 full weeks (Swanson Brand) and today have only taken my l-dopa tincture 2 times and it is after 7 PM. Did not wake up as stiff this morning...didn't require the usual stretching to get moving. It is the only thing that I am doing that is different . It has been cold here (down in the teens last night...and that is usually enough to adversely effect me) Will report more on this herb in a week or so. As for now., 2 weeks does not a trial run make..but, this was encouraging.

Very encouraging news! Thanks Aunt Bean.

Surprise...this morning I got up and can still tap with my left hand.. it is 9 AM and I have not yet needed a dose of tincture....and would normally have taken 2 doses by now. This herb needs attention by the PD community. No time this morning, but will type in more of the info soon. I am definitely impressed and excited by what is happening after just 2 weeks taking this herb. Help me out you-all....we need all the info we can find on this one!

Aunt Bean, are you the PD subtype of tremor dominant or the PD subtype of akinetic-rigid? I googled this herb and it seems to fall into the category of stimulant, with possible side effects of jitteriness (sp) and insomnia. I am still at the kindergarten level of PD education, but one thing I have learned is a PD med or supplement that helps unfreeze people and get them out of their chair, so to speak, is not going to necessarily help me. My problem is I cannot stay in the chair d/t foot writhing/dystonia and hand tremor (I am standing as I type this). So that is why I ask--if it helps with tremors, it might help someone like me or if it is instead helping to unfreeze you, then it probably wouldnt help a tremor dominant person. But whatever the case, your tireless self-experimentation is very inspiring and in my book, you are to be commended.

Having good results so far with Rhodiola rosea.....have only taken 3 doses of l-dopa tincture since Saturday morning and functioning well. I only take the tincture if my finger-tapping with my left hand becomes slow. That is what my normal test for actually needing tincture is anyway...so I am used to checking the tapping several times a day anyway. Usual dose is a dropperfuls 5 to 6 times a day. Saturday required NONE. Amazing! Took one half dose this morning before driving to town to play music with the senior string band. What I read on Rhodiola rosea is that it re-builds dopamine and should be studied for PD....well, I am studying it!!
Arsippe...I have foot writhing sometimes and hands tremor some when low on dopamine (used to couldn't go to sleep at nite at all because my foot was peddling off somewhere (but it didn't take me with it.....just kept me awake....if I did fall asleep, I drooled so bad that that would wake me up and I slept with a wash cloth under my mouth...Those were NOT the good ole days!) I can live with me now.
Should I start a post just on Rhodiola rosea and the pages I written down???????
It would be a very long post.

Well, I just typed in a new thread for Rhodiola and my name logged off before I was finished and hit post...I don't have time to do the whole thing again ...this has happened to me several times and I don't know why. Will try later if I have time. FRUSTRATED!