Parkinsons "cures" are regularly featured in the media. most are false dawns. Is it ok to give false hope?

Question

Parkinsons disease is an umbrella term for a group of diseases for which the treatment of symptoms,varies enormously.
I emphasise.treatment is not for the disease itself,but for the symptoms.
Reports of "cures" are for symptoms only. I was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 1998,& have lost count ofthe times, good people have told me a new wonder cure was on the tv.In the paper etc.
They dont understand why I am not overjoyed

Answer 1

I sympathize, Robert.
My spouse has dealt with PD for the last 10 years too. Also with well meaning friends who don't understand why he doesn't rush out to embrace the latest fad... but mostly they mean well, so there is no harm.

We all know there is no cure for PD yet, and taking care of the symptoms is something that ultimately only the patient knows how to do for himself. Even the best Neurologists get it wrong sometimes, over or underprescribing, or suggesting useless or unpleasant experimental drugs.

As a PD sufferer, one wants to desperately get better, and raising false hopes is nothing short of criminal.

But on the other hand, the general interest in the disease has to be kept alive - money for research is the most important issue, and public awareness is paramount. If less money was wasted on wars, may be diseases like PD and diabetes would be a thing of the past.

Answer 2

I guess you should say thanks. They mean well, even if it is very naive. The news is usually not a cutting edge source for medical information. All the time I see stories about this new great whatever, and it is several years old, or they talk about some research and make it sound like this could apply to you right now and it doesn't and might not ever. Your doctor and Parkinson's groups are the best sources for information about anything truly new in terms of treatment.

Answer 3

False hope doesn't help, you are right. But your friends and family care for you and they are only trying to help. They may not know as much about parkinsons as you do and are therefore less educated about the validity of possible "cures" floating around. Just come up with a generic answer explaining your feelings, and realize that lots of people care enough to try and help.

Answer 4

Regardless of the medical condition, it seams that we're always looking for answers, sometimes treatments are found and later proved to be good ones or not as you mention. I think that you're right when you say 'good people' have told you of various wonder cures, it must be rather tiring listening to all their new tales, but, on the other hand, one of them may be right sooner than you think. Although it's frustrating for you, they get excited when they see something that they feel will interest/help you, so you must have some nice friends out there. (Most of my friends are frustrating, but I suppose I love them really.)

Answer 5

Yeah you are right but sometimes it is good to hope for new cures for problems in life. My granddad was diagnosed with parkinson but he got better later . Now his hand is not shaking .

Answer 6

I don't really see how hope can be false but if your belief is absolutely that nothing will work then that is what you will create. I understand that you have become jaded with possibilities that went nowhere but do not let your disappointment mean you decline to explore need ideas etc. Good luck - I hope you find something that works for you.

Answer 7

Parkinson`s disease,Diabetes,Psoriasis,Vitiligo,and cancer are cured in thousands by the so called alternative systems of medicine.Ignore the advertisements.

Answer 8

yes Robert I sympathise with you its usually false hopes and the people who print these items should think twice before doing so and have respect for folk who suffer this disease