I've done a little digging since the possibility of have B-12 deficiency was presented. Another glove that fits.

Effect of L-dopa on plasma homocysteine in PD patients

Relationship to B-vitamin status

http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/60/7/1125

Conclusion: L-Dopa can cause hyperhomocysteinemia in PD patients, the extent of which is influenced by B-vitamin status. The B-vitamin requirements necessary to maintain normal plasma homocysteine concentrations are higher in L-dopa-treated patients than in those not on L-dopa therapy. B-Vitamin supplements may be warranted for PD patients on L-dopa therapy.

Symptoms of pernicious anemia [vitamin B 12 deficiency]:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/000569.htm

another connection,
paula

we must have potassium - L -dopa zaps potassium!
and that is an electrical connector for our electric bodies!

research is there - find it please...

adding another link to an abstract that is more direct. i'll have to look for this study they mention at the bottom of this article tomorrow...yawn. Did I miss something? This news about a link between anemia and l-dopa is new to me. This article takes it to the next serious level of risk.

http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/63/5/886

paula

my meds quit working well 3 years ago - until I found the key -
B-12 and good food with good nutrients from good soil...

I have been talking B-vitamins -because we need them!
you can not get well on medicine -unless as hyprocrates says:
let your food be your medicine - organic foods - not gm foods -

nutrtion will cure what bigpharma cant -
thus bigpharma would love to get the vitamin biz -
then we would have zero freedom to heal ourselves
or think for ourselves -
thats may 3 bucks worth -

Vitamins, minerals, and mood.Kaplan BJ, Crawford SG, Field CJ, Simpson JS.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. kaplan@ucalgary.ca

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum


In this article, the authors explore the breadth and depth of published research linking dietary vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) to mood. Since the 1920s, there have been many studies on individual vitamins (especially B vitamins and Vitamins C, D, and E), minerals (calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium), and vitamin-like compounds (choline). Recent investigations with multi-ingredient formulas are especially promising. However, without a reasonable conceptual framework for understanding mechanisms by which micronutrients might influence mood, the published literature is too readily dismissed. Consequently, 4 explanatory models are presented, suggesting that mood symptoms may be expressions of inborn errors of metabolism, manifestations of deficient methylation reactions, alterations of gene expression by nutrient deficiency, and/or long-latency deficiency diseases. These models provide possible explanations for why micronutrient supplementation could ameliorate some mental symptoms. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved

PMID: 17723028 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

_________________

The role of vitamins and minerals in energy metabolism and well-being.Huskisson E, Maggini S, Ruf M.
King Edward VII Hospital, London, UK.

Physicians are frequently confronted with patients complaining of fatigue, tiredness and low energy levels. In the absence of underlying disease, these symptoms could be caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals. Certain risk groups like the elderly and pregnant women are well-recognized. Our aim was, therefore, to find out if other, less well-established groups might also be at risk. Thus, the objectives of this review are: to describe the inter-relationship between micronutrients, energy metabolism and well-being; identify risk groups for inadequate micronutrient intake; and explore the role of micronutrient supplementation in these groups. A review of the literature identified an important group at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake: young adults, often women, with a demanding lifestyle who are physically active and whose dietary behaviour is characterized by poor choices and/or regular dieting. Micronutrient supplementation can alleviate deficiencies, but supplements must be taken for an adequate period of time.

PMID: 17593855 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17593855?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedarticles& logdbfrom=pubmed

Common Misdiagnoses Due to Vitamin B12 Deficiency
One Thing the Drug Companies Don't Want You to Know

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...min.html?cat=5

Recently, I sent a couple of my family members to get tested for a gene called Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor. Reason being is the fact I was diagnosed with it myself and learned that it also may be genetic. My doctor wasn't able to tell me that much about this gene due to the fact that it is pretty new to American Doctors. So I had to do most of the research myself to get any straight answers about this Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Gene. I did find that this gene has been associated with a wide variety of diseases and disorders. The majority of the problems that derive from this particular gene are also a lot of the common complaints that my family members have.

Luckily the family members that did get tested did not come back positive for Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Gene. Instead they came back with test results that revealed a Vitamin B12 Deficiency. This would have been easily overlooked if it wasn't for the fact that my family members had asked for extensive blood work to be done. Actually Vitamin B12 Deficiency is one of the most common disorders that are overlooked by Physicians. It's not that your Physician lacks common sense; it's just that they have been conditioned to look for other ailments. The Prescription Drug Manufacturers target Doctors more then they target us. In fact I read a story written by a man who left medical school in the United States. His reasons had more to do with his morals then anything. In his story he explained that the majority of his classes and seminars focused on prescribing medication rather then preventive healthcare. He ended up moving over seas to do just that, focus on preventative healthcare, not writing out scripts all day.

So you may be wondering what conditions are linked with Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Here are the conditions that I was able to find, there may be more.

Pernicious Anemia

Atherosclerosis

The Early onset of Alzheimer's disease

Muscle Tremors

Depression

Osteoporosis

Cataracts

Strokes at an early age

Infertility

Metabolic Syndrome

And, Dementia

Thanks Tena, I'm trying to stay calm as I uncover this information because there is documented evidence of these symptoms directly linked to l-dopa therapy. I also have osteoporosis. I sort of started withering a few years ago. I'm going to be surprised if I don't have B-12 deficiency. Question is, why haven't we been warned? Why is every person taking levodopa not warned and tested? Pernicious anemia used to be fatal until they started B-12 replacement. So the feeling I have had that I am dying could very well be true as I am not on B-12.

It's times like this when you feel led by something bigger than yourself. It was fight or flight that brought me here, and if I discover something this serious is wrong - I'll know that the decision to come, however chaotic the departure may have been - was a valid one that might actually save my life.

oh what drama - honestly I don't enjoy such a dramatic life. I just want some peace.

paula

Paula, try the sublingual (under the tongue) preparation of B12 ("perque" is a cheap, good brand). gastric acids render the B12 inactive when taken by mouth only. madelyn

I have the same arthritis as you dear paula
my left hand the two that are swollen are my pointer finger/ I was told I
blame myself too much and my pinkie finger too -first joints only so far -
and they are truly very painful, have not noticed the swelling of the joints
until last year -


I am drinking mortmorency organic tart cherry juice with ZERO sugar added-just started drinking it taste very good w/o sugar -
I will not take indocin like my sister, my brother has it in both hands
my mom hand it on one hand like I do sam fingers -
I have a feeling my motrin use caused it?
anywho?

http://www.reliefdoctor.com/cherries...lammation.html

here is abit about the studies -

New Research Shows the Power of Cherries
Cherry Advantage 4
Summer 2002
Courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute:


Recently published research conducted at Michigan State University (1) investigated a range of fruits and berries for the level and activity of anthocyanins found in each. Researchers analyzed the ability of the fruits to inhibit cyclooxygenase and act as antioxidants to destroy free radicals. The researchers then quantified the anthocyanin levels of tart and sweet cherries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, elderberries and bilberries.

Cyclooxygenase is produced in the body in two or more forms, termed COX-1 and COX-2, for different purposes. COX-1 is built in many different cells to create prostaglandins, which is used for basic "housekeeping" messages throughout the body. The second enzyme, COX-2, is built only in special cells and is used for signaling pain and inflammation. Some pain relief medication works by blocking the messages carried by COX-1, COX-2, or both, and thus the body does not feel pain or inflammation. The anthocyanins that are able to block COX-1 and COX-2 are called Anthocyanins 1 and 2, respectively.

Researchers discovered that the antioxidant activity of anthocyanins from cherries was superior to vitamin E at a test concentration of 125 g/ml. The COX inhibitory activities of anthocyanins from cherries were comparable to those of ibuprofen and naproxen at 10 M concentrations.

Anthocyanins 1 and 2 are present in both cherries and raspberries. The yields of pure anthocyanins 1 and 2 in 100 g in cherries and raspberries were the highest of the fruits tested at 26.5 and 24 mg, respectively. Fresh blackberries and strawberries contained only anthocyanin 2 at a total level of 22.5 and 18.2 mg/100 g, respectively; whereas anthocyanins 1 and 2 were not found in bilberries, blueberries, cranberries or elderberries.

Cherries: The Healing Fruit
Cherry Advantage 3
Courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute:

The good news about the health benefits of cherries continues to increase. According to ongoing research, Montmorency tart cherries are a rich source of antioxidants, which can help fight cancer and heart disease. In addition, there are beneficial compounds in Montmorency tart cherries that help relieve the pain of arthritis and gout. Other fruits and vegetable do not have the pain relief of tart cherries. While the research on the exact mechanisms that give the pain relief is ongoing, many consumers are discovering that tart cherry juice and other cherry products can stave off pain.

Research also shows that tart cherries are a rich source of powerful antioxidants, including kaempferol, quercetin and melatonin. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant considered more potent that vitamins C, E, and A, because it is soluble both in fat and water.
The latest information on the health benefits of cherries is summarized in this newsletter. Read on for details on how ruby-red cherries are the healing fruit.

When Fighting Pain, Being Inhibited Is Not a Bad Thing

When pain from arthritis and gout strikes the body, most people don't care how their medicine works, as long as it does work. What many pain sufferers take for granted is the complex chemical process that allows their pain medication to work. It's the same chemistry that is making tart cherries the preferred "medication" for a booming generation of pain sufferers.

Drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen are called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They work by inhibiting two enzymes, Cyclooxygenase I and II (popularly known as COX 1 and COX 2), which are produced by the body as a response to pain. NSAIDs prevent chemical messages from binding to Cyclooxygenase. The normal messages are not delivered, so the body does not feel the pain and doesn't become inflamed (3).

Unfortunately, many patients must take pain medication daily, which can cause numerous side effects, including upset stomachs, vomiting, kidney damage and, possibly, ulcers. This is because NSAIDs inhibit both COX 1 and COX 2, but the COX 1 enzyme is also important for maintaining normal cell function within several organs (3).

Tart cherries contain flavonoid compounds that function in the same manner as NSAIDs and can inhibit both COX enzymes. However, research also shows that flavonoids can protect against stomach damage, unlike their NSAID counterparts (4). It is suspected that the high levels of antioxidants found in cherries, particularly melatonin, provide a protective function and prevent unwanted symptoms. This makes concentrated cherry products superior to over-the-counter pain relief because cherries block pain in the same manner and reduce potential side-effects (6).



Pain Relief Never Tasted So Good!
Cherry Advantage 3
Courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute:


By Tina Miller, MS RD
Nutrition lecturer, Dietetics Department
Eastern Michigan University

here we go B12 deficiency has similiar symptoms as PD