http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/j...TRY=1&SRETRY=0

I also recently read some research material in Spanish about Mucuna stimulating the pituitary and spurring the production of HGH (human growth hormone), as well as containing a certain amount of DMT, which is present and psychoactive in medicinal plant remedies such as Ayahausca, which also has an ameliorating effect on Parkinson's symptoms.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15478206

THe above link is another description of the work referred to in the first link, which describes how mucuna balances out the neurotransmitters...

Again, I just wonder why the hell haven't we even heard about this officially? Why aren't our doctors cognizant and interested in this material? What would happen if we all asked them that question?

How many have been tested for heavy metals here? With what results? None of our neuros we have consulted with have ever mentioned it. Just wondering.

Yeah, the heavy metals thing. Always a little bit confusing. It's been mentioned so many times by alternative medical types as a big factor in PD - how many people know somebody who has actually gotten him/herself significantly better through blood chelation? I know the glutathione IV works for some.

I didn't have my ayurvedic medicines tested, but my Indian doctor assured me that it wasn't an issue when I asked him about it (for whatever that response is worth...not saying he's right or wrong....) I had my mercury fillings removed and my blood appropriately chelated after that, and can't say that it helped much at the time...but again, by that time I was on significant meds which I am convinced makes it hard to evaluate anything because it can so undermine any other adjustment.

Fiona,
Thank you for bringing up once again this topic which was much discussed on this forum.
I take one spoon full of zandopa powder 3 times a day. This is my only source of ldopa. I also take Kamedrine (Anticholinergic) twice a day. also loads of supplements.
I am approaching end of forth year after diagnosis. My main complain which has become very annoying recently is tremor and weakness of right arm and limb.
I have so far managed my own drug plan inspite of the neurologist discouragement. I plan to stick to mucuna but perhapse add another drug in the COMT Inhibitors category , that is if the neurologist agrees.

I am not sure if mucuna is helping my pd but I believe it is helping other areas of my health (for example: sex, incontinance, constipation)
Imad

[QUOTE=imark3000;652442]
I have so far managed my own drug plan inspite of the neurologist discouragement.[QUOTE]

Greetings to Everyone.

I have not logged on and posted a commment in a while. I am in my 10th year of Parkinson's. I'm not sure if I have Young Onset or not. I started having symptoms at 45, so I was in that in-between age.(regular usually starts after 65 and Young Onset means you got PD before age 40. I still work although I am getting ready to stop. I've had enough.

I have a very slight tremor, if at all. Some stiffness and slowness of movement. I have no "freezing" although my voice is quieter and my speech is sometimes slurred. My PD seems to be progressing more slowly than it is for others. At least, that is what I'm told. I have no idea. But I just started having my biggest problem: balance. I can't walk 5 feet without listing. I fall. I'll probably kill myself one day unless I do something. My doctor is useless (although she is supposed to be one of the best.


I also use mucuna. I do not know if it's the mucuna or my middle ear.

Any thoughts?

[QUOTE=Fiona;652357]Yeah, the heavy metals thing. Always a little bit confusing. It's been mentioned so many times by alternative medical types as a big factor in PD - how many people know somebody who has actually gotten him/herself significantly better through blood chelation? I know the glutathione IV works for some.]

My family practitioner prescribed a heavy metals test done by Genova Diagnostics http://www.genovadiagnostics.com/
I've kept postponing it due to a general distrust of more tests and to the possibility of it being expensive (though my insurance company paid for most of a food allergy test that Genova performed). But it is a reliable company, and any good dr. should be willing to write a prescription.

Jon