The epidemiology of pd shows that India has a low rate of pd. One researcher into pd speculates that this is so, not necessarily because Indians are good producers of dopamine but that their diet renders them poor producers of acetylcholine/adequate producers of dopamine. It is the ratios between neurotransmitters that is more pertinent.

Low b12 exposes you to the potential development of a variety of neurological diseases. How this ultimately plays out is contingent on many factors.

I think that, when quoting anything about India in terms of epidemiology, you have to take into account that medical provision outside of cities is very patchy, and even in the cities is not accessible to all, so this along with mortality rates and poverty are huge factors that prevent their figures being a similar measure to figures in affluent nations. The affluent Parsee community which has shrunk over the last century has a high rate of PD, it was once quoted as the highest in the world, I do not know if this still stands. Vegetarian diets on the sub-continent are quite varied, with a strong use of seasonal fruit and vegetables which are mainly locally grown. This could be a factor in that neurotransmitter balance you mention.

Muireanne, thanks for your PM, it did get to me I will be in touch

The Parsi of Mumbai are, as a group, the exception in India in exhibiting pd. They are thought to be prone to it because they ritually burn Aspand seed, thus inhaling fumes whose composition is similar to an MAOB.

I recently visited Pakistan for a family wedding where I was in many family homes. Everyone was shocked that someone as young as myself should have pd. I spoke with a senior doctor there who told me that pd is "rare in this part of the world" and yopd practically unheard of. I was high in the mountains of Azad Kashmir too where I saw many very elderly people, very fit and traversing the mountains on foot. The diet I experienced included a lot of chicken and white rice, heavily spiced.

Looking forward to hearing from you lindy.

Regarding baseline measures of b12 at time of pd dx - mine was 147, tested in Ireland. A very clearcut low level.

Muireann,

I think - being cautiously optimistic here - you may have an explanation for some of your symptoms.

Jan

I think you're right Jan. and in July 2012 I started taking 5 mg methylcobalamin daily to fortify myself for my travels in August. Then in dec 2012 a test showed my level was 362, not very impressive considering the supplement. I put it down to the severe gut infection I picked up in Pakistan. I was treated with flagyll. Right now my balance and gait are woeful and nerve pain horrendous. I've had three b12 injections but I think fortnightly is not enough. After the third shot the parasthesias are even worse.

Flagyl is a on our PN list as a known causer of peripheral neuropathy. This drug is very hard on nerves. We have had posters who were severely damaged by it.

http://www.rxlist.com/flagyl-drug/wa...cautions.htm#P
How exactly it damages nerves is not well understood.
More here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metronidazole

There are explanations on the 'Could it be B12?' thread about why injections don't necessarily work - members advise consistently maintaining high levels of B12 is needed in order for healing to occur and that is my experience (though I never had injections).

Maybe MrsD has info on this?

I had giardia-like symptoms after visiting India in 1983 and was treated with flagyl.