i have had Parkinson disease for 4 years that I know about and the neuro said possibly 5 years previously.I was 48 when diagnosed I am now 52.

I have been having trouble with dyskenisea caused by the LDopa that I have been taking.It is getting to the point that I am embarressed about it.I know that this eventually happens after you have been on the medication a while but I thought I might get a little longer than what I have.

I have been reading about Mucuna Pruriens and have been trying it for the last 10 days under a natropath.In 10 days I have only had 2 of my Parkinson meds,the mucuna pruriens is working really well In fact i feel better having had it than the L dopa.I have no extra movement,and feel much more relaxed being on this it is wonderful.

My problem is I phoned my Neuro did not talk to him but spoke to his assistant . I did not tell her that I had already tried it, I said I just wanted to ask about it, and knew someone who was taking it and what did they know about it ......,
Well she went off her face at me ,and said not to even think about it, if there was anything better than I already have they would have it there and not to listen to what the neighbour or anyone else had taken because it is not any good.
I have been on it for 10 days and have kept a record of how i feel every half hour.I just wanted some advice as to what to do,Should I keep on with it or should I go back on my medication .I know that the mucuna will not work all the time that eventually i will have to go back to my other medication but I dont want to have all that extra movement and feel that if the mucuna is working wouldn't it be good to have a bit of a break from the medication that I have One of my meds I had to sighn a form to say i was aware that there has been a death with this particular tablet (TASMAR)

His assistant said if I was having trouble that possibly I would have to have liquid sinemet possibly every hour becausae that is the best to get the exact dose that i need ,Why would I want to do this when I get 6 hours out of the mucuna .....


i hope you understand all this and can offer some advise I will be waiting to hear from some one





Thank you Sue

Welcome Sue!..Just out of curiosity, how much Sinemet are you taking?

When I asked one neuro about taking mucuna and had he seen any results. He scoffed at me. Crossed him off the list.

about a philandering husband caught in the act with the punchline "Who are you going to believe? Your husband or your lying eyes?"

There are several reasons for your neuro to disparage anything that doesn't have "official" approval. Liability. Ignorance. Prejudice. Ego. Peer pressure.

Occasionally (and this is the one that complicates things) it may be due to superior knowledge. But in that case you are entitled toan explanation.

Sometimes you have to fire your doctor. But line up another one first.

common sense prevails! Neurologists can be incredibly arrogant..time to find a new one me thinks. The next thing you will hear if you really do get better is "well you never had PD in the first place!

Take your beans and run Jack!!!

dear one,
I must tell you something - you must belive -there is a cure, and it is more simple than you were told, it is what the medicines uses from the body that must be replaced in specifically Methycobalamine B-12 and folic acid and minerals that help the neurotransmitters work and your body is just abit / or more - deficient - as I have faith that this truth has helped my meds work
more efficiently - so add MB12 to your schedule, and this can cause different
med needs - so you may need to tell you doctor, you will need to use
carbidopa/levodopa SR
please research this - I am 45 and was dxd 15 years ago -
_________
research from pubmed

Protective effects of a vitamin B12 analog, methylcobalamin, against glutamate cytotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons.

Akaike A, Tamura Y, Sato Y, Yokota T.

Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuyama University, Japan.

The effects of methylcobalamin, a vitamin B12 analog, on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity were examined using cultured rat cortical neurons. Cell viability was markedly reduced by a brief exposure to glutamate followed by incubation with glutamate-free medium for 1 h. Glutamate cytotoxicity was prevented when the cultures were maintained in methylcobalamin-containing medium. Glutamate cytotoxicity was also prevented by chronic exposure to S-adenosylmethionine, which is formed in the metabolic pathway of methylcobalamin. Chronic exposure to methylcobalamin and S-adenosylmethionine also inhibited the cytotoxicity induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate or sodium nitroprusside that releases nitric oxide. In cultures maintained in a standard medium, glutamate cytotoxicity was not affected by adding methylcobalamin to the glutamate-containing medium. In contrast, acute exposure to MK-801, a NMDA receptor antagonist, prevented glutamate cytotoxicity. These results indicate that chronic exposure to methylcobalamin protects cortical neurons against NMDA receptor-mediated glutamate cytotoxicity.

reference link
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7...?dopt=Abstract

must go back on my lil vacation from the PC..

Hi stevem53 I am only on 1oo/25 3 times a day and 1 tasmar 3 times a day

thanks yes i thought i may have been able to at least talk about it

thanks rosebud it great to be able to talk to others with parkinson disease

Mucuna pruriens and Parkinson's disease research
Parkinson's disease has a low prevalence in India except in the small Parsi community. Parkinson's disease has been known in India since ancient days and mucuna pruriens seed powder has been used for its treatment. At this point it is too early to tell how to best use mucuna pruriens extract supplements for Parkinson's disease. It is not clear what the ideal dosage would be, how long the treatment would last, how mucuna pruriens combines with other drugs used for this condition, etc. It is quite possible that the addition of mucuna pruriens herb to one's Parkinson's treatment regimen would require lowering the dosage of the prescription medications. Consult with your doctor and ask that he or she read this page.

Anti Parkinson botanical mucuna pruriens prevents levodopa induced plasmid and genomic DNA damage.
Phytother Res. 2007 Dec. Tharakan B, Dhanasekaran M, Mize-Berge J, Manyam BV. Department of Neurology, Scott & White Clinic, Temple, Texas, USA.
Levodopa is considered the 'gold standard' for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, a serious concern is dyskinesia and motor fluctuation that occurs after several years of use. In vitro experiments have shown that in the presence of divalent copper ions, levodopa may induce intense DNA damage. Mucuna pruriens powder has shown anti Parkinson and neuroprotective effects in animal models of Parkinson's disease that is superior to synthetic levodopa. In the present study two different doses of mucuna pruriens protected both plasmid DNA and genomic DNA against levodopa and divalent copper-induced DNA strand scission and damage.

Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson's disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004 Dec;75(12):1672-7.
We assessed the clinical effects and levodopa (L-dopa) pharmacokinetics following two different doses of mucuna preparation and compared them with standard L-dopa / carbidopa. Eight Parkinson's disease patients with a short duration L-dopa response and on period dyskinesias completed a randomised, controlled, double blind crossover trial. Patients were challenged with single doses of 200 / 50 mg L-dopa / carbidopa, and 15 and 30 g of mucuna pruriens preparation in randomised order at weekly intervals. Compared with standard L-dopa / carbidopa, the mucuna preparation led to a considerably faster onset of effect, reflected in shorter latencies to peak L-dopa plasma concentrations. No significant differences in dyskinesias or tolerability occurred. The rapid onset of action and longer on time without concomitant increase in dyskinesias on mucuna seed powder formulation suggest that this natural source of L-dopa might possess advantages over conventional L-dopa preparations in the long term management of Parkinson's disease.
Note: Mucuna pruriens extract is much more concentrated and potent than mucuna pruriens seed powder.

Neuroprotective effects of the anti Parkinson drug mucuna pruriens herb
Phytother Res. 2004 Sep;18(9):706-12. Manyam BV, Dhanasekaran M, Hare TA. Department of Neurology, Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX 76508
Mucuna pruriens herb possesses significantly higher anti Parkinson activity compared with levodopa in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease. The present study evaluated the brain restorative effect of mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder on the nigrostriatal tract of 6-OHDA lesioned rats. Mucuna pruriens powder significantly increased the brain mitochondrial complex-I activity but did not affect the total monoamine oxidase activity (in vitro). Unlike synthetic levodopa treatment, mucuna pruriens powder treatment significantly restored the endogenous levodopa, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin content in the substantia nigra.

Effect of antiparkinson drug HP-200 ( Mucuna pruriens herb ) on the central monoaminergic neurotransmitters.
Phytother Res. 2004 Feb;18(2):97-101
HP-200, which contains mucuna pruriens endocarp, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Mucuna pruriens endocarp has also been shown to be more effective compared to synthetic levodopa in an animal model of Parkinson's disease. The present study was designed to elucidate the long-term effect of mucuna pruriens endocarp in HP-200 on monoaminergic neurotransmitters and its metabolite in various regions of the rat brain. Oral administration of mucuna pruriens endocarp had a significant effect on dopamine content in the cortex with no significant effect on levodopa, norepinephrine or dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites- HVA, DOPAC and 5-HIAA in the nigrostriatal tract. The failure of mucuna pruriens endocarp to significantly affect dopamine metabolism in the striatonigral tract along with its ability to improve Parkinson symptoms in the 6-hydorxydopamine animal model and humans may suggest that its anti Parkinson effect may be due to components other than levodopa or that it has an levodopa enhancing effect.

Epidemiology and treatment of Parkinson's disease in India.
Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2003 Aug;9 Suppl 2:S105-9.
Parkinson's disease has a low prevalence in India except in the small Parsi community where there is a high prevalence. Although early onset Parkinson's disease and familial cases have been described from India, no genetic mutations have as yet been identified. Parkinson's disease has been known in India since ancient days and the powder of mucuna pruriens seeds has been used for its treatment. The present day management of Parkinson's disease in India is similar to that in the other countries. Unfortunately, lack of awareness, limitation of human resources and cost factors deny the benefits of therapy to many patients.

It is widely believed that mucuna pruriens influences the dopamine system, however there may be other factors involved. A study was designed to elucidate the long-term effect of mucuna pruriens on neurotransmitters in various regions of the rat brain. Mucuna pruriens was mixed with rat chow and fed daily ad lib to rats for 52 weeks. Controls received no mucuna pruriens. The rats were sacrificed at the end of 52 weeks and the neurotransmitters were analyzed in the cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra and striatum. Oral administration of mucuna pruriens had a significant effect on dopamine content in the cortex with no significant effect on levodopa, norepinephrine or dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites. The failure of mucuna pruriens endocarp to significantly affect dopamine metabolism in the striatonigral tract along with its ability to improve Parkinsonian symptoms in the 6-hydorxydopamine animal model and humans may suggest that its anti-Parkinson effect may be due to components other than levodopa or that it has a levodopa enhancing effect.

Mucuna pruriens for fertility help
Effect of Mucuna pruriens on semen profile and biochemical parameters in seminal plasma of infertile men.
Fertil Steril. 2007 Nov 12. Ahmad MK, Mahdi AA, Shukla KK, Islam N, Jaiswar SP, Ahmad S. Departments of Biochemistry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
To investigate the impact of mucuna pruriens seeds on semen profiles and biochemical levels in seminal plasma of infertile men. Sixty normal healthy fertile men (controls) and 60 men undergoing infertility screening. Before and after the treatment, seminal plasma lipid profile, lipid peroxide, fructose, and antioxidant vitamin levels were measured. Treatment with mucuna pruriens significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation, elevated spermatogenesis, and improved sperm motility. Treatment also recovered the levels of total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, and vitamin A, C, and E and corrected fructose in seminal plasma of infertile men. Treatment with mucuna pruriens increased sperm concentration and motility in all the infertile study groups. Oligozoospermic patients recovered sperm concentration significantly, but sperm motility was not restored to normal levels in asthenozoospermic men. The present study is likely to open new vistas on the possible role of mucuna pruriens seed powder as a restorative and invigorating agent for infertile men.

Mucuna pruriens emails
Q. Could you tell me how much l-dopa that mucuna pruriens contains penetrates the blood brain barrier? Is it true that only a very small amount crosses it? So small that it may not significantly affect parkinsonian tremors and other symptoms of Parkinson's disease? Furthermore, it is also said that the liver plays a role in reducing the amount of l-dopa transported to the brain before it even reaches the blodd brain barrier. I am interested in buying mucuna herb but I need an answer to these questions.
A. We really do not know how much l dopa in mucuna pruriens crosses across the blood brain barrier since we have not seen these types of studies, they are difficult to do. The liver most likely does play a role in the metabolism of this herb, and there is a wide variation in each person regarding this metabolism. For practical purposes, one has to find out by trial and error whether mucuna herb works for them or not.

Q. I'm hoping that you can help answer a question about the mucuna pruriens product sold by Physician Formulas. I found this same supplement made by another manufacturer in my local vitamin supplement store. On the product directions, it said that mucuna pruriens should be taken on a cycle of 3 months on and one month off. That is, it said the supplement should be taken everyday for three months, and then not taken for the 4th month. Then it said the next 3-month cycle could start again, after not taking for one month (the 4th month). My question is this, do you recommend anything similar for your mucuna pruriens product? And if so, I'm curious as to the scientific reasoning behind this. Do you have any idea why the other company would recommend this? I'd like to go with the mucuna pruriens product that you developed, because I really liked your research-based approach which I read about on the internet. However, I would like to find out a little more about these recommendations before purchasing mucuna pruriens and getting started on a regimen.
A. Since human studies with mucuna pruriens are very limited, it is difficult to know the ideal dosage, frequency of use or amount of time of breaks. Plus, each person may have a different need based on their health and medical condition. A break from mucuna pruriens use could be one or two days a week, a week off per month, or any variation thereof. Is the mucuna being used for health enhancement, sexual benefits, Parkinson's disease, or any other condition? All these influence how much and how often one takes mucuna pruriens. There are no clear and simple guidelines that apply to everyone. The use of other supplements and medicines can also make a difference. Hence, the other product mentioning a break for a month every 3 months seems quite arbitrary since each person's need will be completely different.

Q. I want to give you and your staff an update on the use of mucuna pruriens as a treatment for fibromyalgia. Mucuna herb was used in combination with Mirapex daily with remarkable results. Both Mirapex and mucuna supplement raise dopamine level. The ability to handle stress over time in any situation is the most noticeable change. From January through April while taking amucuna pruriens supplement regularly, there was a definite improvement in sleep, waking up refreshed with improved energy throughout the day. My chiropractor, who takes careful notes was so impressed with my response to the mucuna herbal product that both he and his wife started using it. With limited funds, I stopped taking mucuna in April. The emotional stability using the Mirapex alone is still unmistakably the best in my entire life. However, mucuna does provide additional benefit that Mirapex does not, ie improved sleep, perky positive energy, more activities accomplished. Whereas the Mirapex leaves me feeling drugged and sleepy but very calm in the face of stress. Fibromyalgia pain and pain in general is definitely reduced. I definitely will be using mucuna pruriens again soon. In the future, I hope that you, Dr. Sahelian, can develop a natural medication to raise dopamine in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Mirapex is just too harsh, but it's the best that I know of right now. I'm just grateful to have macuna pruriens. It's certainly an improvement over using Mirapex alone. By reducing Mirapex I have fewer side effects and the macuna pruriens seems to be as effective. I am convinced that maintaining a normal level of dopamine is the key in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Q. If the amino acid tyrosine converts to L- Dopa, then would taking a tyrosine supplement produce the same effect or result as taking mucuna pruriens?
A. Not really. Mucuna pruriens has many other compounds in it besides L Dopa.

Q. I am now taking Sinemet 25/100 three times daily. What is the equivalent in a mucuna pruriens dosage?
A. The equivalent dose is not known, and it is not clear yet whether mucuna pruriens works the same way as Sinemet or has similar benefits. Research with mucuna pruriens is still early and we don't know enough about it to make firm recommendations.

Q. My mother has suffered from Parkinson's Disease for 13 years now, and recently she started taking HP200 (powder form of mucuna beans). I was researching these beans on the internet, and came across your name. I was wondering if you had any information with regards to the side affects of mucuna beans. The powder really seems to cause the symptoms of Parkinson's to subside.
A. Thus far we have not had any reports of any significant side effects with mucuna when taken by itself in reasonable amounts. High dosages can cause side effects such as restlessness, insomnia, and increased body temperature.

Q. I am half way through

http://www.raysahelian.com/mucunapruriens.html