
Thank You For Considering My Question // Problem. Background: I

Background:
I am 66 years old, and suffered depression starting at age 53.
In mid-2015, I got over the depression, and was doing well
until Mar 18, 2016 when I received a diagnosis a diagnosis of Parkinson's, which
brought back the depression.
Medications are listed below, and include
carbidopa / levodopa ER 50-200 8 times daily.
I have seen some persuasive reports that
infrared light therapy is as effective, or more than, medication. .
I would like to see if it is safe to use the light therapy devices
in concert with medication, and eventually to taper the medication out of the picture.
The details are below.
Thank you very much for your time, attention, and expertise.
Regards,
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Age 66, Male
312 823-7624
Medical question:
I would like to know what conflicts, if any, must be addressed when applying
photo-bio-modulation (infrared) 810nm LED,) when the patient is taking the
following medications daily:
Carbidopa-Levodopa ER 50-200 8 times per day
Sertraline 200 mg-once per day
Bupropion Hd Er (X1) 24hr 300 mg - once per day
Lorazepam 1.5 mg once per day
Chelated magnesium 133 mg - three times per day.
Docusate sodium (Colace) 1 mg three times per day.
It would seem plausible that applying infrared to resuscitate dopamine-producing cells,.
while introducing artificial dopamine in the medication may result in too much dopamine.
It seems likewise plausible that if the infrared causes more available serotonin, while the sertraline
medication also operates on the serotonin there could be an excess of serotonin.
Does this combination present any problems as to safety or efficacy? If so, can
anything be done to mitigate the problems ?.
What drives this inquiry is that I have acquired infrared devices that are said to
have done wonderful things in abating Parkinson symptoms, particularly tremor and lack of energy, both of which I have.
Thanks for any help you may provide in relation to these questions
Focused ultrasound therapy is better.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist and I have been seeing patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) for about 26 years. Comorbid depression is common in patients with PD.
There have been several promising reports of PD patients being treated with photobiomodulation. Near infrared radiation has been shown to protect dopaminergic neurons in brain, thereby reducing dopamine depletion. However, large case-controlled studies are lacking. As of now, it appears safe. You can try it along with your current medications.
Other very successful method of treating PD is by focused ultrasound therapy. This novel technology focuses beams of ultrasonic energy precisely and accurately on targets deep in the brain without damaging surrounding normal tissue. Where the beams converge, the ultrasound produces a variety of therapeutic effects enabling Parkinson’s disease to be treated without surgery. This treatment has already received FDA approval, and you could try this treatment too.
DBS is another successful form of treatment, however, it is invasive and may lead to complications in a small group of patients.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries.
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM
Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

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