Alzheimer's, Chinese Herbal Formula and Oxygen supplement

As we know, at present, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Prescription medications aim to slow down the progressive deterioration of parts of the brain.
From the Alzheimer's Association, Fall 2007 newsletter: "Our current statistics indicate that there are 5 million people in the United States who have Alzheimer's... One in eight people over the age of 65 will develop the disease and half of those over 85 will."

About 6 years ago, a neurologist advised that a relative (I'll call her Mary, not her real name) has Alzheimer's. The family had noticed that her memory had been failing-- she would repeat herself quite often. The Dr. prescribed Aricept and Mary took this for about one year.

For about 6-10 months, Mary had weekly acupuncture treatments at a school clinic. The acupuncture seemed to help her. She would doze or nap during the treatments. These ended when she became too sensitive to the thinnest Seirins and a Clinic Supv'r. recommended acupressure for her instead.

It was another Clinic Supv'r. who told me about Neuro-Plus (Evergreen Herbs, Carson City, NV) in capsule form. There was a write-up on it in a Formula Binder in the clinic. It was a formula that was then fairly recently designed for neuro-degenerative diseases (and Alzheimer's). With many herb ingredients, its functions include tonifying the Ki, Sp and St.

Mary was then treated once by an acupuncture instructor to see whether the formula would be right for her. She has been taking Neuro-Plus daily since then. After the first few days, the dosage was lowered.

Three years ago, after recovering from pneumonia, the family noticed Mary seemed to have reduced periods of anxiety. She was more alert and responsive, with no more signs of paranioa. Prior to this time, she would frequently exhibit Sundowner's syndrome, wherein she'd be confused, agitated for some time starting at dusk. She had no more incidents of Sundowner's and was much calmer and more agreeable.

The only thing the family could attribute these positive changes to was the oxygen Mary was given at the hospital and for about 7-10 days after discharge. Her primary physician at the time could not prescribe continued O2 supplement because her blood O2 level was found to be within the normal range.

About 14 months later, Mary was seen by a Qigong master who recommended simple exercises, including diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing, rotating the hips (the "hula hoop" exercise). There was some improvement during and shortly after this one visit-- more independence walking up and down stairs. There were no further visits because of the high fee.

Within a few months, Mary found the exercises difficult to perform. Some time later, now with the support of a different primary physician, supplem. O2 at home was arranged for Mary, for a few minutes a day. Since the last tests (taken in the daytime) showed her blood O2 level was in the normal range, Medicare/Medi-Cal would not pay for this therapy and so, these were out-of-pocket expenses. Just recently, arrangements were made to check her O2 level overnight, using a device worn around one wrist, with no piercing of a blood vessel. This test showed it was below normal. (I was told by the O2 Services rep. that the blood O2 level at night is not always the same as in the daytime.) Now, the ins. co. will be paying for the O2 supplem.

Comparing Mary's present condition to April 2005 (when she saw the Qigong master who asked for detailed written info. on her condition):

--her short-term memory seems to be unchanged, with attention span of from 1-5 minutes;

--(changed) more difficulty finding the proper words to express herself, and so talks less;

--(unchanged) still usually recognizes her children and does not recognize her grandchildren;

--(changed) needs more help with feeding herself;

--(unchanged) good appetite, and sleeps well;

--(unchanged) still frequently in a good mood, mellow (does not take any tranquilizers), very sweet and gentle (her normal disposition), exhibits wit and a sense of humor at times.

Among other things, the Qigong exercises, with diaphragmatic breathing, promote increased O2 circulation. Since Mary could not perform these exercises or the diap. breathing, the O2 supplem. was the next best solution. The Chinese herbal formula and supplem. O2 seem to have slowed down the progression of Mary's Alzeimer's.

David Villanueva