This latest chapter began a couple of weeks back when I had become concerned with the erratic nature of my med response. One of the basic possibilities was that diabetes was creeping up on me. In the course of my research I came across info about the use of apple vinegar to drastically lower the glycemic index of ones' meal. This then led to the discovery of work that found that vinegars had properties that made them an ACE inhibitor completely independently of their glucose management abilities. ACE inhibitors are good for PWP because of their effect on mitochondria.

Still with me boys and girls? So here is the heart of the matter, at least for tonight. Starting about a week ago, I revisited some related work that Laura and I had explored about temporary paralysis that results from an interaction between insulin, potassium, and magnesium. I had shelved it back then due to concerns about potassium overdose. Overblown in most cases, my GP had OK'd up to 20 Molar units daily in my investigation of the possibilities in my own case. For a number of reasons I put it on hold.

Until last week, when I took another look at the file. I began taking magnesium citrate and potassium gluconate and guickly worked up to the previous targets.

Right away I could tell that something was going on. The fluctuations that had started me on this road were gone. I was taking less medication with levodopa/carbidopa down to about 600 mg today from about 2000 mg two weeks ago. And I am getting stronger, esp in my legs. Plus a decade long problem with constipation is much improved.

But all is not roses. There was a bit of dyskinesia at first, mostly in the evening. And, here is the big one, if I don't keepan eagle eye on the dosing I get mad as a hatter for about three hours or so around dinner time! I have had some illlicit affairs with various chemicals over the years so I know a little whereof I speak and I would describe it as being loopy as a git. I am aware of my actions and whereabouts and I pose no dangers to self or small mammals, but there is no denying that I am flat on my ***.

But why? Any ideas?

How are things going? Would sure be interested in an update. I'm trying the apple cider vinegar, just 1/4 tsp. a day. I seem to sleep better but it's only been a few days.

wendy-
Thanks for asking. The short answer is weird. I have simultaneously had the best and worst weeks in a long time. Lost a day to achalasia (your esophagus clamps down and you cannot swallow. Lots of fun.) Traumatic and takes a couple of days to rise from the ashes. Hadn't had a problem with it in a year or so (I credit the use of ginger.) But I stopped it last week to test some of this new stuff and it snuck up on me. I am resuming in earnest now and will post from time to time.

The vinegar works (for me at least) as a pretty good "turnaround" and cuts the wait time for a pill in half.

I have a reaction to magnesium citrate also. When it has been taken, there doesn't appear to be a need for my l-dopa supplementation(fava tincture). I have not yet found anything currently that is helping with constipation. Have needed to take the liquid magnesium citrate in bottle to get anything moving. This reaction of not needing extra l-dopa puzzles me, and it has happened twice now, even as I type. Have not taken tincture for a whole day and nite and still am able to type quickly with less mistakes than usual and play faster than usual on mandolin. Needs research!!!!

Just wanted to add a some what doubtful possibility. Most case of PD occur in the northern portion of the USA. Could it have something to do with drinking well water? Would the ocean deposit more magnesium into the soil?

Dianna

hey there Rick,

I tried a tblsp of vinegar with my 25/100 morning dose and I think it did hasten and lengthen the effect....how m u c h vinegar do you take?
Thanks for posting

sharilyn

Sharilyn-
Glad to hear from you and I hope all is well.
About the vinegar, I have temporarily suspended that work and am in hot pursuit of a complex but "bigger picture". Or at least I think that is what I am doing. This morning I was within a hair of calling 911. I was really out of it with incredible weakness. And not a clue as to why. But after remaining calm (An aside: you are talking to a man who about 40 years ago was sitting on the ground beside a campfire just enjoying the stars floating in the sky and two orange barrels rolling around his brain when he looked down at his lap only to find a happy mama skunk doing the same thing! Talk about self-control! I didn't twitch an eyelid! )
But back to the present, the here and now-
After awhile, my calmer head prevailed and I not only came on, but did so very well and for the rest of the day. The bottom line is that I am becoming more and more convinced that I have a B-12 problem (or maybe a more general malabsorption one. I have been eating a LOT of methyllcoballin 5000 unit tablets and I needed a day off and seem ready for the morrow. I have a GP appointment Tuesday morning that should prove interesting.

But enough about me- Just a half-teapoon for me of Bragg's finest. Also, rinse afterward to protect your teeth.
-Rick

Goodness dear !

Oh this sounds very good! How cool it tis that your body is responding to tthe b12. I'm wondering if your dropping from 2000 mg down to 600 of ldopa so quickly could cause the weakness. take it easy buddy and take care . Let us know how it goes at the GP.
sharilyn

Rick,
When I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia a couple of years ,my GP asked me what drugs I was on, and thought it could be that it was aggravated by medication I was on. Well, I had never heard of it before but did what I would do with anything else went and found out. There are certainly studies out there that link long term levodopa use to both PA/B12 problems and Folate deficiency. Get yourself tested and if you are in the lower part of the reference range or less, ask to be tested to see whether you have intrinsic factor. But don't take folate before testing.

The symptoms of PD and PA overlap.

I found that is is part of an autoimmune problem for me. But not sure whether that was aggravated by ldopa use. Good luck with the tests.

...about those orange barrells.....were you dreaming of giant vitammin B capsules? or were they mother ships .....h e he