Reverse Parkinson's Disease

29/10/2024

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your wonderful and heartfelt birthday messages. They are always appreciated.

It is with deep regret and much sadness that I am posting this message today. John Pepper passed away yesterday afternoon, Monday 28 October, 1 day after his birthday. He made it to 90!!! What an awesome innings. He leaves his loving wife, Jeannette.

I know he would've appreciated the support and love you all gave him and he especially loved dealing with questions regarding his book and how he overcame his Parkinson's symptoms. John's passing will not go unnoticed and he will leave a big hole in the Parkinson's community, especially for those who got to know him really well. Rest in Peace, John.

Thank you all for being there to support him, love him and appreciate him. He will not be forgotten!!!

His friend and assistant - Claire Descroizilles

30/09/2024

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I must take my leave from Facebook and from all of you. You have been wonderful supporters and I couldn't have done this without you. I want to tell you to keep pushing to heal yourselves, and yes, if you use my fast walking protocol, I can tell you, you will feel better. But, it takes time.....so give yourselves time and don't give up.

My time has come to spend more time with my family and wife, which means I won't be on Facebook any longer. I may pop in from time to time to say 'hi'. All the best and stay strong dear Parky friends.

27/09/2024

I wish to pay tribute to one of my greatest supporters and followers, Carole Stuart-mcIvor. She has been there since the beginning and has interacted with almost every post I have ever created. I appreciate all she's done to support me over the last couple of years. You have been a stalwart. I also appreciate each and every one of you, who've been there to support and encourage me too! Without you, I would not have been able to do the things I've done, mostly write the book and promote it without all your support. You are all appreciated.

Here are some of her comments and responses:

Carole Stuart-mc Ivor
I hope you have some idea of the admiration respect & gratitude you inspire
Thank you

Just give them a sharp kick, John, and tell them to cooperate!
So sorry things are difficult
You have changed thousands of peoples lives for the better & we all appreciate & love you & pray that things will ease
Perhaps we can all send you some get well/ cheering photos!
Thinking of you & your lovely wife

🐦‍⬛
A life changing book; very much change for the better
The book is a superb thesis
Maybe let’s all write to universities & suggest John Pepper be awarded an Honorary Doctorate
Never was it more deserved
Thank you again Sir

Big Pharma have made several fortunes out of people’s despair
Really would recommend John Pepper’s
‘Reversing Parkinson’s’
We actually have choices
Perhaps my weirdest thing is chatting to my brain; it’s a merry brain & happy to be reminded of childhood activities we found so easy!
So we practice
I jog 4 miles on alternate days. And just started using (donated!) weights
I know it’s not easy. But we can make it fun
And, yes, let’s show Our carers appreciation. A thank you. A smile instead of a whinge
And chocolate!


Good to read such warm & appreciative comments
People really recognise what a positive force for change you are
Thank you from so many
And me

SO grateful to you
You’ve changed lives
And the trajectory of Parkinson’s treatment.


A lovely piece. Thank you Carol
And thank you John for changing the lives of so many of us
Some people are WorldChangers
You’re definitely one such person
Diolch yn fawr


COME ON UNIVERSITIES
OFFER JOHN PEPPER AN HONORARY DOCTORATE

You altered the Parkinson’s trajectory for a spectacular percentage of patients.
Thank you John D Pepper

A life-changing book from a man who merges intellectual genius with mind-blowing compassion
Without John D Peppers I personally would be in a very dark place
THANK YOU

26/09/2024

I know there is a growing trend toward using alternative medicine, or to go a more natural route when taking on the task of healing oneself. I know it was something I chose and I know there are many others heading down the same path because our faith in Big Pharma and the medical world is no longer there.

A new study in the Journal of Parkinson's reports that over a third of people use natural health aids like coffee and cannabis for Parkinson's.

Worryingly, less than half had discussed this with their doctor. 30% of people use coffee and cannabis for Parkinson’s, study finds.......

A new study in the Journal of Parkinson's reports that over a third of people use natural health aids like coffee or cannabis for Parkinson's.

25/09/2024

Strong claims have been made about the relationship with PD and the use of pesticides on our food.

This is a thought-provoking podcast about the relationship between pesticides and PD.

Studying the mechanical action of pesticides within humans is difficult. Dr. Briana De Miranda shares how these products are studied within the lab and how they influence the development of Parkinson’s disease. https://loom.ly/M3RKMlY

Images of the two doctors below.

23/09/2024

In this episode of the DPF's podcast, Roxann Diez-Gross, Ph.D., shares practical techniques for improving breathing and swallowing, vital functions that can be affected by Parkinson's disease. This talk was recorded during one of their online educational events.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaahkS9HxHM

I used to struggle with my swallowing, but when I concentrate on swallowing, I find it makes it easier to swallow, therefore, thinking about what you have to do, like swallowing, can have a beneficial effect on you.

To subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel visit: https://www.youtube.com//podcastsIn this episode, Roxann Diez-Gross, Ph.D., shares pr...

23/09/2024

20/09/2024

Doctors say exercising brain can benefit people like Harford County artist, Vincent Vono

Sometimes it's easy for Vincent Vono to feel down about having to live with Parkinson's disease.

The disease has snatched his independence and sense of a normal life. The 76-year-old stopped driving last year as his motor skills slowed. He doesn't cook much because it is too exhausting to clean up afterward. Even a short walk across his tiny apartment is a task some days.

But for all the disease has taken away from Vono, it has fostered and strengthened a love for art that first developed when he was a boy.

Painting is the one thing that still comes easily to Vono. When he sets his easel up in his living room, Vono can paint for hours. As he paints portraits of his grandchildren or of the madonna and child, his tremors subside and for a moment he forgets he is sick.

"It fills the gap," he said. "It erases all of the garbage out of my head."

As in all Parkinson's patients, Vono's brain no longer effectively produces the chemical dopamine, which helps control muscle movement. Without dopamine, his brain cannot send messages to his arms, hands, legs or feet.

Sometimes his body seems to have a mind of its own. His hands or feet will move in some direction he doesn't intend. Then there are the tremors. They change in intensity depending on his mood — growing stronger when he's anxious, angry or excited.

"It knows my emotions," he said.

https://reverseparkinsons.net/article.php?id=319

As many of you know, I have done quite a few paintings in the past. I have posted them previously on Facebook, but here are a few to show you once again. While painting, I found my tremors were non-existent. I believe it was because I was concentrating so hard on my painting, I forgot about my PD.............anybody else have the same experience while painting, drawing or sketching?

19/09/2024

How to Teach a Pd Patient to Walk Consciously

Please note that this and all other articles are written by me, John Pepper, as a person with Parkinson’s disease (Pd). I understand what having Pd is like and what we can and can’t do. I am not a trained medical person. The way I describe things may not be the same way they would, but you, as Parkinson’s patients, will understand what I am saying.



When people without Parkinson’s disease walk, they do not have to think about their movements. Many Parkinson’s patients are no longer able to walk properly because Pd affects their movements—movements like walking, writing, bringing food to their mouth, etc. Because Pd can affect all of these movements, they now have to regain the ‘conscious’ control of them again, as they once did when they were younger.

*When I say “his, him or he”, I mean both sexes................

Read the rest of the article here: https://reverseparkinsons.net/article.php?id=499

Remember to pop over to Amazon to buy my book at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Reverse-Parkinsons-Disease-John-Pepper-ebook/dp/B06XQG9MQY

Please note that this and all other articles are written by me, as a person with Parkinson’s disease (Pd). I understand what having Pd is like and what we can and can’t do. I am not a trained Physical Exercise person, nor am I a medically trained person, and the way I describe things is maybe no...

18/09/2024

I had forgotten all about this interview I did with PD-Connect about 5 years ago.

Here I share my story of how I was diagnosed and what I proceeded to do from there. Yes, I did feel sorry for myself, however, my wife soon helped me pick myself up, and turn myself around. I started doing walking through a group called Rn/Walk for Life. This changed my life and the rest is history.

I then wrote my book: Reverse Parkinson's Disease a few years later with all the info one needs to copy everything I did in order to get to the point I'm at in my life now. That being, medication free and enjoying a fairly decent quality of life.

You can watch the interview here:

17/09/2024

One of the symptoms I struggled with was my control of my hands when eating. It wasn't easy to lift my hand to my mouth either with a fork in hand or trying to lift a glass to my lips.

I discovered that if I twisted my hand slightly differently, I could get the glass or fork to my mouth without tremors. I believe if you try that, you could too. All it takes is just another way to figure out how to do things, but by engaging the brain, it can work for you.

This video will show you how I did this amongst other things.

16/09/2024

Anxiety is not simply a reaction to a Parkinson’s diagnosis, but is instead a part of the disease itself, caused by changes in the brain chemistry of the brain. 🧠 As many as two out of five people with PD will experience a form of anxiety.

There are ways to manage this anxiety one of which is exercise. Having spent the best part of my life exercising every second day, and doing fast walking, I can confirm that it helped me manage my anxiety. These days, it is becoming more and more obvious that doctors are not always equipped to help and we have to discover our own ways of dealing with and managing our symptoms.

There are four categories of anxiety:

* Generalised Anxiety Disorder
* Social Avoidance
* Anxiety Attacks
* Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

There are of course effective ways to manage anxiety:

Feeling worried is an understandable reaction to a Parkinson’s diagnosis. But when feelings of constant worry or nervousness go beyond what is understandable...

13/09/2024

Neuro Talk: Three Exciting Advancements in Parkinson’s Disease Research

There will always be a need for medication, considering how more and more people are becoming ill. I only wish there was a way, this could be avoided at all costs, but that may be a long way off.

Each year, the Parkinson’s Foundation funds the most innovative and promising ideas in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research. Recognizing that breakthroughs can emerge from any corner of the globe and at any moment, we provide funding to researchers worldwide, from early career scientists to doctors who treat patients every day.

In this Neuro Talk, Chief Scientific Officer James Beck, PhD, spotlights three researchers whose research is funded by the Parkinson’s Foundation. Dr. Beck highlights how these studies can impact the future of PD treatments.

For more information on Parkinson's disease research, please visit: https://www.parkinson.org/advancing-researchEach year, the Parkinson’s Foundation funds t...

12/09/2024

A new illustrated book by Barbara Salsberg Mathews, an artist living with Parkinson's, gives a visual answer to the question "What does Parkinson's feel like?"

As many of you know or are aware, I painted a number of artworks for myself, friends and family and found that while I was actually doing the painting, my tremors were greatly reduced. I believe that's because I was concentrating on painting which produced more GDNF, therefore reducing the tremors.

Well, Barbara is asking anyone diagnosed with PD to assist her in creating this comic book with artistic renderings of what you think Parkinson's feels like.

You can read the story here and perhaps find some inspiration.

https://parkinsonseurope.org/2024/08/01/what-does-parkinsons-feel-like-call-for-submissions-for-new-comic-book/

This is a chance for you to get creative and use your brain. See how it affects your PD. Plus, you will find you are in a happy place when drawing. Have some fun!

A new illustrated book by artist Barbara Salsberg Mathews gives a visual answer to the question "What does Parkinson's feel like?"

11/09/2024

Reading about other people's experiences and journeys with Parkinson's is incredibly inspiring. It makes me realise we are amongst a massively growing number of people diagnosed with Parkinson's. The numbers are growing exponentially each year. A worrying trend and statistic. Watching, reading and learning how others have navigated their lives after diagnosis is amazing to watch and incredibly inspiring.

How did you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and forge a way forward? Here is Gustavos' story.

Growing up in Colombia, Gustavo A. Suarez Zambrano, MD, always knew he wanted a career where he could help people – though he didn’t know his path would eventually lead to studying Parkinson’s disease in the U.S.

📖 Read his PD Story: https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/stories/gustavo-suarez-zambrano

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

10/09/2024

Parkinson's Europe call their members "WARRIORS" because living with Parkinson's Disease takes courage and determination. However, it is probably more difficult for younger people because they are often at a point where they are building their lives and careers.

Young-onset Parkinson's Disease affects under 20% of the global PD population, and the symptoms are similar. However, it comes with a unique set of challenges due to the season of life they are in.

In PE documentary, Beyond the Tremors: Living Well with Parkinson's Disease", we spotlight Empress Priscilla, a vibrant young woman with young-onset Parkinson's Disease. She shares her story, her experiences and how she navigates running her business, staying upbeat and staying healthy.

To listen to her speak, watch the full documentary on YouTube.
Here's the link: https://lnkd.in/dCZFYHeG.

It is inspiring to see how well these PD sufferers take on this life challenge.

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

09/09/2024

Anxiety is not simply a reaction to a Parkinson’s diagnosis, but is instead a part of the disease itself, caused by changes in the brain chemistry of the brain. 🧠 As many as two out of five people with PD will experience a form of anxiety.

I initially thought it was only because I'd been diagnosed with PD, that I suffered from anxiety, however, on deeper reflection and having spoken to many others, I discovered that it was actually a symptom. I can understand why PD people suffer from anxiety. This is not an easy disease to manage, but it is manageable and it is to be taken one day at a time.

Learn about managing this symptom in this short video:

Feeling worried is an understandable reaction to a Parkinson’s diagnosis. But when feelings of constant worry or nervousness go beyond what is understandable...