My last post focused on symptoms of overload signalling a need to create a breathing recovery space. When we are in a state of sustained stress, our higher thinking centres switch off. We need to switch off this threat response, find the breathing space – and ask what we really need now. This article focuses … Continue reading Mindfulness and the Breath – Breathless with Excitement!?
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Reclaim Health: a recovery strategy when doctors can’t explain your symptoms
After five years of hard work, I am incredibly pleased to announce that Reclaim Health: a recovery strategy when doctors can’t explain your symptoms has now published. The book is written by a team including two expert ex-patients Julia and Janice, supported by two doctors David and Gina, with Helen an expert personal and professional … Continue reading Reclaim Health: a recovery strategy when doctors can’t explain your symptoms
How do we more fully see the whole person behind the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease?
As a patient I have witnessed the need to bring together a fragmented team to create personalised medicine. My experience of hospital and GP contacts: Long waits! Seeing a consultant neurologist privately – after waiting over 16 weeks for an NHS appointment. August 2017: Brief neurological assessment; blunt ‘you have Parkinson’s Disease’. Medication only offered … Continue reading How do we more fully see the whole person behind the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease?
Reflections on living with Parkinson’s Disease in the last year
A New Year and ‘I’m still standing’ in the words of the Delta blues singer Mississippi Fred McDowell. The song accompanies me when I do my exercises in the morning. Happy New Year. Looking back I have probably had symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease now for 10 years – marked stiffness around my neck and shoulders … Continue reading Reflections on living with Parkinson’s Disease in the last year
Did Sustained Stress contribute to the onset of my PD?
What now? I felt I needed to take every measure I could to reduce chronic stress. I always been a good sleeper yet there was a background of anxiety. Of course, this is a Catch-22 because the disease itself is threatening. I felt I needed to redefine my purpose and goals. Part of the Catch-22 … Continue reading Did Sustained Stress contribute to the onset of my PD?
Nutrition and the Microbiome: The Leaky Gut?
Gut connection I found a summary on the BBC news on health by James Gallagher titled Parkinson’s Disease may start in the gut. I then found a research programme run by Consultants Sylvia and John Dobbs at the Maudsley/Kings Hospital titled ‘gut microbiome drivers and mediators in the aetiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and … Continue reading Nutrition and the Microbiome: The Leaky Gut?
Further Down the Trail for Self-Management Plus a Good Medication
I was treated with triple therapy antibiotics and eradicated the Helicobacter bug. I was still very stiff particular around the shoulders in the morning and was so weak at times that I could not get out of the bath or comfortably rise up from a chair. After six weeks or so after the antibiotics I … Continue reading Further Down the Trail for Self-Management Plus a Good Medication
Exploring the Research
As I explored the research I found that the gut bacteria Helicobacter Pylori was associated with Parkinson’s disease and wondered whether my gut bacteria had been affected by the contaminated water? Investigation I was medical adviser to the centre for nutrition and lifestyle management (CNELM) and was still lecturing for CNELM in Wokingham. I asked … Continue reading Exploring the Research
Life Remembered Backwards
Why I got Parkinson’s Disease: The Search for Clues Eight years ago I was living in a beautiful house in Gloucestershire close to countryside with wonderful walks. We had a spring well to supply the house with water. Six months before I moved bullocks got in from a neighbouring field and trampled their usual shitty … Continue reading Life Remembered Backwards
Facing a Diagnosis
I saw this Parkinson’s support ‘post’ yesterday. “I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after the past couple of years of stiffness and unsteadiness. I am off sick from work and numb with worry about my future. Only 47 with four teenage children. Hoping someone will tell me what to expect?” I too was numb, fearful … Continue reading Facing a Diagnosis
Dr David Beales 