Boys of Summer Book - Entry #122

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

January 28, 2005 - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

Did not sleep through the night. I am looking forward to reporting a good night sleep. All of the people at the clinic that I have asked say that their sleep has improved dramatically with treatments. Today the treatment was the most intense yet. I was able to endure it with only a faint cry out. No change in my condition apparent. 

Today Norm and Sandy are in for treatment. Norm remarks again about my improved appearance. Some people distracted Edward with a court order wanting to do an inspection of his property.   

January 29, 2005 - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

Once again I had a restless night. Today is my 9th straight day of treatments and I am trying to measure my progress. It is difficult because I have cut my use of Mirapex by 1/3 since starting treatments. My anxious feeling and tension in my shoulders, arms and legs confuse the results. Today’s treatment was the most painful so far. It is difficult to walk because my feet hurt so much. 

Diane introduced me to her husband, Larry who has been successfully treated by Edward. Each day I find it easier to stick to my diet. 

I received an e-mail from the PRP today:

Dear Dan,

Thank you for your inquiry.  My sincerest apologies for the delay.  I accidentally placed your e-mail in the “already answered” file, and just noticed the error. 

Before we set an appointment for you, please complete the attached “Prospective Patient Questionnaire” and e-mail it back to me at your convenience.  

Thank you,

Chris

I think I will wait until I am completely off medication before I fill out the questionnaire.

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #120

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

January 22, 2005 - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

We went for my second treatment and it was more painful than the first. The actual sessions are 20 minutes but since he does not take appointments you may wait a while to see him. It is a good time to listen to the other patients stories and share mine. 

So far we have met Harriet, Ben & Susan. Susan was amazing. She had been going to Edward for many years and went through a treatment mostly smiling. I felt stronger than yesterday and was able to drive home. I noticed less tension in my shoulders and was able to sleep through the night except for one trip to the bathroom. I also cut my Myrapex to .75 mg two times a day with no ill effect.

January 23, 2005  - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

We went for my third treatment. It was the most painful yet. It was difficult to walk. Edward told me that I need to move more. He said, “Running water does not spoil”. 

We met Sandy and Jim. Jim was new like me and was having a difficult time. Sandy had been seeing Edward for a while and did much better. Edward showed me four exercises he wants me to do at least 30 reps of each daily. The exercises are: (1) Throwing the ball backwards, (2) Kicking the dog, (3) Lifting the heavens, (4) Seeing the heels. 

I performed them for the first time tonight. I feel like I’m talking a little clearer tonight.

January 24, 2005 - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

I had a difficult episode in the middle of last night, around 1:30 a.m. I woke up ad felt very anxious -- like when I first started coming off Mirapex. After an hour of tossing and breathing exercises I took an Excedrin PM and slept until 8:30. I felt much better when I awoke. 

Today’s treatment was much less painful. Harriet was there and continues to have very difficult time. She has had 17 treatments and according to Edward is not being “brave”. So I decided to be brave and it seemed to work. The treatment took less time because I was not resisting. I’m hopeful that I have achieved some sort of break through. Time will tell.

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #117

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

January 6, 2006 - Bob

Las Vegas, NV

Though I appreciate Dr. Sawchuck’s concern, I am put off by one of his comments, in particular: 

“Based on what is known about Parkinson's disease (and we certainly don't know everything but do know quite a bit)...”

That statement is logically bankrupt. How can one claim to know any quantitative amount of a thing while at the same time acknowledging he doesn’t know everything? It’s akin to the six blind men touching different parts of the elephant and each  missing the fact that what they’re touching is part of the same thing.

I understand only being able to speak knowledgeably about what one knows. But don’t shit on what you don’t know just because you don’t know.

January 7, 2005 - Dad 

Walnut Creek, CA

After attempts to reach the PRP without success I joined an online PRP support group through which I found a practitioner trained by PRP, Lori Gilbert located in Sacramento, CA. I had a conversation with Lori to explain my circumstance. After some discussion and initial resistance she agreed that if I was completely off my medication for at least 10 weeks she would be willing to meet me and evaluate the possibility of treatment. I continued to suffer the effects of coming off Mirapex.

The portrayal that I have seen in the movies of addicts going through withdrawal is accurate. The movie that comes to mind is The French Connection II. Popeye Doyle was in France and the bad guys held him hostage and injected him with heroine over a period of time. Then they left him and he went through the withdrawal/recovery experience.

There is no position of comfort. I felt extremely anxious, like I would jump out of my skin if I could. There was a deep body ache like a bad case of flu. It is very hard to concentrate on anything but the pain. There is also a feeling of claustrophobia which I think goes along with anxiety. Quite different from what Dr Sawchuk predicted.