Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with vitamin B1, as well as other supplements and treatments. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping treatment.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a magic pill that would combat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? Or all chronic illnesses, for that matter?
When my husband, Arman, was diagnostic with early onset Parkinson’s disease In 2009, I started reading about alternative therapies. I have been shocked by the number of products that promise miraculous results for many illnesses and conditions. Thanks to the internet, I am now bombarded with constant advertisements about healing everything I have ever sought. Back ache? Don’t worry, there is a cure! Parkinson’s? There’s a pill for that too! How incredible!
In recent years, the world seems awash with information about a integrative approach to health, with so many opinions and options that it can make my head spin. Arman being a doctor, we never adhered to the holistic approach to medicine. He was trained to believe in scientific treatments for disease because there is little data or formal regulations for most alternative therapies.
But Arman always firmly believed in the need to take well-researched vitamins and supplements. He believes they are essential additions to his Medications for Parkinson’s disease. Slowly, he began to open up to other therapies than those traditionally recommended for Parkinson’s disease.
Consider B1 therapy
Has my caregiver support group A few months ago, someone brought up the subject of B1 therapy for Parkinson’s disease. I didn’t know him, but I was eager to learn. I knew this vitamin was not part of Arman’s diet.
Several spouses in my group had been experimenting with B1 for some time and some reported positive results. I immediately told Arman about it and he began extensive research. He also consulted his movement disorders specialist, as he always does, before starting new vitamins or therapies. Additionally, we purchased a book on B1 therapy for Parkinson’s disease.
Although no clinical studies have definitively proven that this type of therapy helps people with Parkinson’s disease, there is also no downside for us other than cost, since B1 is generally well tolerated. After a lot of research, we decided to give it a try.
To date, we are not seeing any miraculous (or negative) results from the therapy. Arman is on the lowest dose of B1 and he takes it three times a week. Eventually, he will start taking B1 five days a week at the same dose; we will see if it is more effective.
It’s too early to tell if B1 therapy will relieve the symptoms of his early-onset Parkinson’s disease, but I’m hopeful we’ll eventually see positive results. I am happy that Arman has become open to the idea that other therapies might benefit him. As with everything else in our lives, I remain cautiously optimistic.
Note: Parkinson’s disease news today is strictly a news and information site about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to generate discussion about issues related to Parkinson’s disease.
