Taking stock, any vegetarian PWP?
 

So here we go, I have decided that I have got to change some things or I'm not gonna make it so I'm probably going to have a lot of posts this weekend.
Right now I am up, have been since 4:30, had the best night's sleep that I can remember (took a valium that the ER gave me when I went there last with severe dystonia). Woke up actually rested. Let me preface this by saying I apologize to those who haven't even had that much relief-I know where you're coming from BELIEVE ME! Took my morning dose and I feel great. So that tells me that it's not my DBS, it's the meds. So I need to figure out what works. Going to start out with some Miralax and get the old system cleaned up a bit-heck I've even got some mag citrate if that won't do the job, nothiing will. Know what I mean, vern?

--I would like to ask if there are any of us who are vegetarians? What is your diet? I like lentils, dry beans. Would that be too much protein or is it of a "different form" What would you recommend eating. I am not a salad person, lettuce and all of that. Pretty much the only fruit I like is an occassional banana or an orange.
--If you are a veg. are you a lacto/ovo, or which variety?
--How long have you had PD?
--What meds do you take??
--Any vitamin regimen/supplement that I should be aware of?

Anyone have any input? It's welcome here...:)

Jim, I was a vegetarian (not vegan, I eat eggs & dairy, mostly Greek yogurt) for about 10 years, but my health wasn't great. I decided about a year before my PD diagnosis in 2007 that we all need Omega 3, preferably from fish oil (not veg sources, which aren't as good). So I started eating salmon & still do. I eat a wide variety of vegies, which I love, including beans, lentils, greens, mushrooms, peppers, grains, all fruits, plus fish & eggs, but try to minimize cheese, sugars, white rice, white potatoes, etc.

Now 5 years since my diagnosis, I keep very active with yoga, dance, aquatics, chorus, support groups, etc., and I'm doing pretty well, except for a really big annoying tremor which no meds so far tried have controlled. I'm very conservative about meds, because I believe their side effects can outweigh benefits, at least for some people. Sometimes it's hard to tell which symptoms are due to disease & which to meds. For example, I take very low but frequent Sinemet doses, because I got crippling dystonia with larger doses. Tried Amantadine, but got intolerable insomnia. Didn't like Mirapex. My MDS Neurologist tells me not to worry yet about protein with my Sinemet. I take Vit. D, turmeric, CoQ10, creatine, resveratrol, fish oil, ibuprofen, etc.

Hope this is helpful. We're all so different, it's hard to say what works best for any given person. But I figure you can't go wrong with good food, good support, good attitude, and good exercise! Good luck!