yoga – Radio Shows

Update from Chris Hageseth MD

Robert and I have recorded interviews three times in the past:

September 2016: Five years no medications. Parkinson’s improving. How I had gone for 5 years without meds and was doing well using exercise and yoga
January 2017: Wholistic (or holistic) how different PWPs approach their treatment.
October 2018: Shifting the Parkinson’s disease mindset.

This is my fourth appearance on the show today, and I still hold to my beliefs.

EXERCISE. EXERCISE, EXERCISE. I cannot exercise as hard as I did before. Gradually I had to walk more and jog less. Could only 3 – 4 miles.
More convinced than ever that MINDSET/ATTITUDE is the key, PARKINSON’S IS A CHALLENGE, NOT A CURSE. When I was formally diagnosed, I was 70 years old. Life expectancy for me was 84.1. Well, now I’m 82.4. In a year and a half, I will have reached my life expectancy.
YOGA remains critical.
WAIT UNTIL you really must take Levodopa. Levodopa induced dyskinesia (LID) is a real deal and can be disabling. Google it on YouTube.

Let’s look at my life since we last met, year by year.

2018 – I shot a video titled So High So Low for the “I HAD A DREAM PROJECT” where I hiked a three mile walk trail and climbed a thousand feet.

Link: https://www.ihadadreamproject.com/i-had-a-dream-project-videos

That year I also went to Uganda to demonstrate the practices I used to manage so long without meds. (Robert, this is quite a tale, plus I have pictures.)

2019 – After directing the local Parkinson’s support group, I resigned so new blood could take over.

BUT: New symptoms emerged that I didn’t know about:

Anomia: a language specific disturbance arising after brain damage whose main symptom is the inability of retrieving known words. But it’s not dementia!
Pseudo Bulbar Affect Crying or laughing excessively upon feeling any deep feeling.
Dysphagia: difficulty or discomfort in swallowing as a symptom of disease. It starts out with mucus as postnasal drip. Get to an OT!
Oily, flakey skin
Sleep disturbances. Fall into deep sleep in the middle of the day. And then don’t sleep well at night.
Pain in bed at night. Interfered with sleep.

2020 – It was a remarkable and horrific year. PANDEMIC!

No more yoga classes! No gym with weightlifting. Social interaction approached zero.

2021 – Then, a condition worse than Parkinson’s emerged: Major Depression.

March 2021 – Fell and shattered right knee – 16 days in hospital.

July 2021 – Fell and broke my right hip.

August – Severe depression, I became suicidal.

September – Chose to have a course of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT)

October- It worked, and my PD improved a lot.

The falls were due to the antidepressant I was taking may increase fall for people with Parkinsons.

LESSON: Make sure you MD goes through all meds in case a med might make falling more likely

My story with Depression

Family history is strong.

Parkinson’s did not cause my suicidal depression, genetics and environment did. Antidepressant medication failed to work and led to my falls!

2022 – I returned to my new normal. And that’s where I am today. I just have more symptoms and feel weaker.

I followed up with PWPs who I have advised in the past.

It became clear to me: I want to coach people with PD.

I HAVE A LOT TO OFFER!

Teach PWPs how to become a “Bad Ass with PD.”

No more withdrawal and depression.

My PD website: www.makemostofpd.com

Robert, I want to come back with a program I have just developed to make being a person with PD and their caregiver have a better relationship.

New website www.the-kindness-dialogue.com

Robert Rodgers PhD

Lessons Learned from Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Questions Mountain Sage Addressed:

* Is recovery primarily mental or does “getting out of your mind” help?

* How does “You do not think till you pull the trigger” apply to recovery?

* Why are people who experience Parkinson’s symptoms always so active?

* How do you react in public when tremors flare?

* Is sleep important?

* How to you get into the deep sleep that promotes recovery?

* How has V2VG (Vet to Vet Group) helped you out?

* Does helping others help you when you yourself need help?

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Shifting the Parkinsons Disease Mindset

Dr. Hageseth dates his first non-motor symptoms to 2004 when his sense of smell disappeared. In 2008 he developed severe constipation which he has had ever since. In 2011 he saw the emergence of a tremor in his right hand which progressed over the following year to involve his entire right side. It went on to include stooped posture, shuffling gait, and problems with balance. A neurologist confirmed his diagnosis in 2012. He tried three different medications over the next four months but discontinued each one due to side effects or lack of efficacy.

His neurologist gave him one piece of advice: EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE.

A year later many of his symptoms had regressed. He attributed his improvement to the intensity of his exercise and taking up yoga. He established his first website: Sweating Out Parkinsons Disease. He intended to encourage other PWPs to follow his example.

By 2014 he was doing so well that he had a DAT scan to confirm the diagnosis of PD. It was positive.

Over the last year and a half, he explored why more people are not doing better with PD. It was then that he started to examine how the mind may influence the course of PD. Exercise is the key to living a full life with PD, But if the mind does not believe the degree of improvement that exercise can achieve. Then improvement will only go so far.

Because of the problem of dyskinesia developing after five years on levodopa, he thinks newly diagnosed should pursue a program of great intensity and focus and manage their minds, so they realize they can live with PD and not require levodopa.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Wholistic or Holistic. How Different Parkinsons People Approach Their Treatment

Since appearing on this show last fall, Dr. Hageseth has consulted with scores of what he calls Parkinsons People (PPs). PPs consist of Persons with Parkinsons (PwPs), caregivers, interested family and many different professionals.

Overall PPs are dissatisfied with allopathic medicine, but dissatisfied or not, many take medications with considerable benefit. The majority feel their neurologists do not take enough time with them or discuss other options with them.

The Internet abounds with alternative approaches, but sadly, most offer little data or studies to support their claims. I have interviewed several PPs who tried different treatments but with no success.

Holistic medicine should have a W at the start of the word. Allopathic medicine helps, but it has its difficulties. I envision Wholistic medicine to include allopathic medicine and a healthy dose of Alternative Medicine as well.

The following quotes sum up my approach to PD

Don’t battle PD . . . challenge it – better yet, dance with it.

Do not resign yourself to PD, accept it and get on with your life.

Only you can engage your BodyMind to bring about self-directed neuroplastic change that will rewire your brain.

BUT it’s not up to your neurologist, IT’S UP TO YOU!

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Five years. No medications. Parkinsons Improving

Dr. Christian Hageseth, a 75-year-old retired psychiatrist has had PD for 5 ½ years. He tried three medications briefly early in his illness, but stopped due to side effects and expense.

The day after his diagnosis he started studying yoga and now practices it daily. For exercise he does what he calls Mindful Power Walking and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT, also called Tabata). Finally, he has studied Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and meditates for 45 minutes each morning.

He has fewer motor symptoms that are less severe since the time of his diagnosis. Last year he hiked up a 14000-foot mountain peak in Colorado. When meeting people for the first time most cannot tell he has PD. He now feels it is his mission to train other Persons with Parkinsons (PwPs) how to reduce their medications, reduce some motor symptoms, and live a fuller life.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Yoga for Parkinson’s Disease

How can yoga help those with Parkinson’s disease? How can meditation help? Why is it important that caregivers also practice yoga and mediation? Elizabeth Armentino-Burd, Founder and Director of PD Wellness For Me, discusses her revelations about what really helps people improve Parkinson’s symptoms.

Learn more about what is her new DVD, PD Yoga For ME! Let’s Keep Moving Together!

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Yoga and Parkinson’s Disease

As both a psychotherapist and a long-term yoga teacher, Barbara Gage takes an integrative approach to her lifes professions, often combining both practices to help her clients achieve optimal mental health and physical well-being.

On sale September 17, 2013, Yoga and Parkinsons Disease: A Journey to Health and Healing, co-authored by Peggy van Hulsteyn, Barbara Gage, and Connie Wilson, is an easy-to-follow and encouraging yoga guide which specifically acknowledges the needs and limitations of a Parkinsons patient. In addition to the physical postures helping a PD student gain strength, balance, limberness, flexibility and elasticity, the components of yoga that Barbara tries to instill as a psychotherapist are calm, confidence, improved self-image, emotional/mental stability, spiritual awareness and meaning.

Listen the the show to discover how yoga can help Parkinsons patients breathe and stretch their way to a more fulfilling existence.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Richard Brown MD: Integrative and Complementary Treatments for Parkinson’s

Dr. Brown believes that the patient can use these modalities and work on improving lifestyle and cycles as a means to recharge their dopamine system, which is critical for reducing symptoms. These approaches will not replace prescription medicine for Parkinson’s. However, they will enhance the effectiveness of those medications and improve the quality of life. People can expect to have more energy, ability to move, mental clarity and engagement with the world. His Website: www.haveahealthymind.com

Dr. Brown has authored (with others) The Rhodiola Revolution, How to Use Herbs, Nutrients and Yoga in Mental Health and The Healing Power of the Breath who reveals long forgotten secrets about what it really takes to recover. His insights are profound; his experience impressive; his recommendations right on target in my book of good suggestions for people with Parkinson’s symptoms.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Yoga For Parkinsons

Exercise is a proven way of helping people with Parkinson’s reverse their symptoms. Many people think yoga is reserved for athletic types, but a dedicated group of individuals with Parkinson’s have found a program tailored to people of all levels and now practice yoga on a regular basis. Members of the Yoga for People with Parkinson’s classes in Seattle, Washington tell their stories about how yoga has provided them with remarkable relief from their symptoms.

Is yoga a therapy that is right for you? Listen to these incredible student testimonials and decide for yourself. Yoga is a time-tested, natural therapy and if practiced on a regular basis you can expect often dramatic improvements in flexibility, strength, balance and peace of mind. That formula is hard to beat.

Tim Seiwerath, the founder of the Yoga for People with Parkinson’s program in Seattle (and now New York City) shares his insights with us about why yoga is such a useful therapy for persons who currently experience symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

During this show you will hear interviews with 11 persons who report on their experience with yoga as a therapy to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Of course we cover more topics than just yoga, but that happens to be the focus of the show.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery