suffers from Parkinson's disease, then this is going to be one of the most important things you'll ever read.Has Michael J. Fox been undergoing some special treatment to improve his Parkinson’s disease symptoms?
24.07.09 / parkinson disease treatment / Author: Alex
Tags: appearance, michael j fox, optimism, parkinson
I’m watching a program featuring Michael J. Fox, filmed this year, and I think he’s the producer as well. It’ about optimism. I am completely amazed and so glad to see his improved appearance. There is hardly any of the shakiness, uncontrolled movement, and difficulty speaking he’s had for several years! I haven’t seen him on TV for quite a while, but always thought Parkinson’s was a condition that always gets progressively worse. His condition in this program almost seems to be reversed.
Comments: 2
Good observation.
With the medications Mr Fox takes for Parkinson’s disease there are "on" times and "off" times. This means that when the medication’s effects begin to wear off, he begins to show more symptoms of the disease.
During the period of time when he was testifying about Parkinson’s Disease research before a Senate subcommittee and other times when he was appearing on television of behalf of PD or stumping for candidates who supported various issues related to research such as ESC, he often appeared in an "off" time. He has acknowledged that.
http://www.michaeljfox.org/newsEvents_michaelInTheNews_article.cfm?ID=12
During the filming as he traveled around the world, he was under the stress any traveller or film producer endures and when he was being filmed, he wanted to appear at his best.
http://blog.teamfox.org/2009/05/12/watch-michael-j-fox-adventures-of-an-incurable-optimist/
One of the problems with certain very effective medications for PD is that they themselves begin to not only lose effectiveness in controlling symptoms but they also can bring about more symptoms – usually dystonias – as they begin to lose effectiveness.
Michael J Fox is a remarkable man – larger than life in both his enthusiasm for living and the amazing things that he is making happen with the Michael J Fox Foundation.
You are correct, the disease is progressive. Progression varies from patient to patient. There is no pat answer as even symptoms vary from patient to patient. I think that one of the reasons that Mr Fox has done so "well" is his inate character and philosophy of life. Having a sense of humor in the face of this disease is vital.
By the way, did you see him on Rescue Me? He made several appearances and I thought his acting was better than ever.
It is also possible that he has made some adjustments in medication, supplements, exercise and diet recently. Changes such as these can also bring about symptom appearance reduction – but alas not a disease reversal.
I really don’t know but i watching a little bit of a program on tlc about him tonight and other then the shaking he looks good.