From Hopeless to Remarkable Changes

A Personal Experience 

    It was horrible to see my husband forgetting where his car keys were, or not remembering what day it was – but, I just thought it was part of being a retired senior citizen. 

    Then, he began to stay in bed, a lot.  He hardly talked and didn’t want to go anywhere. He took no interest in, nor had any desire to do, things he always enjoyed. When he was up, he just sat on the porch or in front of the TV for hours. I prayed about it, and felt impressed that it was depression.

     I didn’t think he was sick until he began having “blank spells.” For a few seconds he would moan and stiffen up and he couldn’t respond. It was very frightening.  But, the worst part of it was – a few minutes later he didn’t remember it even happened!

     I made an appointment with a highly recommended family doctor. 

My husband reluctantly went with me to see the doctor.

When asked about his health – Bill said: “Nothing is wrong with me!  I don’t know why we are here, except that my wife thinks I am sick. And I’m not!”

     The doctor turned and asked me “What do you think is happening?” 

     I tried to explain about the “blank outs.” Bill got very angry with me and threatened to walk out, but the doctor calmed him down. 

      I didn’t mention memory problems, just the “blank out” spells.  The doctor assured Bill not to worry – that he would take a few tests and get him all fixed up.

      Everything seemed okay on the tests. Bill amazed the doctor on the stress test – it wasn’t his heart. The EEG and carotid artery tests were normal. Yet, something was terribly wrong.

     The doctor said it was mini-strokes – and there was really nothing they could do, unless things got worse. “Just keep a close eye on him,” the doctor advised me.            

     Bill’s health problems grew worse. It was confusing – not knowing where things were in a new house – he cried often. 

     The second doctor ordered an EKG and an MRI. She stated Bill had early stages of Alzheimer’s and prescribed Aricept, predicting worsening symptoms. The MRI showed there had been no mini-strokes. The doctor diagnosed his “blank outs” as a mild seizure. Several medications were tried – some made his moods worse, others improved them.                 

      A year later, memory and “blank out” problems persisted. A friend suggested going to the VA for another opinion. At the VA hospital in Indianapolis, a neurologist examined Bill, diagnosed mild dementia – and ordered an MRI and EEG.  He kept Bill on the same medication, and he was allowed to continue driving, with me along. The next year we kept regular exams at the VA, but saw little if any change.            

      Researching information on Alzheimer’s disease, I read an article in December 2002, “Senile Dementia” in the Health News – Special Report.

    Writing about a nutrient supplement, Phosphatidylserine (PS) Dr. James Balch, M.D. was quoted in the article: 

 “… PS is already REVERSING Alzheimer’s

symptoms – not just in a few individual cases, but in scores of scientific studies by major institutions involving tens-of-thousands of patients”. 1 

    This definitely had my attention! I read on:

            “Not only does this amazing supplement defeat Alzheimer’s symptoms – it restores a more youthful memory and sharpens thinking and reasoning ability for healthy people   in their 40s and beyond!

     … many more studies on healthy people –

literally tens-of-thousands of patients and physicians – have demonstrated that it also RESTORES youthful intelligence, learning ability, memory and clarity of focus – AT ANY AGE”.2

     I decided this product was worth a try and ordered some.

     In January 2003, we saw the VA neurologist, who ordered new MRI and EEG tests. I didn’t even think to mention Bill had started taking Phosphatidylserine.

     Bill took Phosphatidylserine (PS) three times a day for a month and I didn’t see any change. But, he continued taking PS gel caps (100mg) 2 caps with each meal for 3 more months.

    After 6 months, we reduced PS to one 100mg gel cap, three times a day. Gradually we saw many positive changes in Bill. He remembered where the silverware or drinking glasses were located. This may seem like a little thing, but he couldn’t remember those things the previous year.

    Then, Bill started making relevant comments during conversations when we had company. It was wonderful to know he was paying attention, and understood what was being discussed!

     After four years, on Aricept, with no improvement in Bill’s memory, this was a real miracle!  It had to be PS!

      I was surprised – and thrilled when Bill would wake up in a cheerful mood and get up without my calling him.

     It was a miracle answer to prayer.

     In January 2005 on Phosphatidylserine, the Neurologist examined Bill and studied Bill’s MRI and EEG reports. He was astonished at Bill’s improvement and commented on how alert he was.

     I told him it was “God answering prayer.”

     The doctor agreed, “It must be, because we haven’t done anything differently.”

     Scheduling the next 6-month checkup, the doctor said, “Well, Bill you’re looking good – just keep doing what you are doing.”

     At that point, I told him that we had been taking a new supplement for six months. The doctor didn’t comment. When I related some of the good improvements I saw in Bill, he asked me if the name of the nutrient was Phosphatidylserine. I said it was.

    The Neurologist said he had read about it, but had not known anyone who had tried it.

     “Well, now you do!” I said.

        In the fall we went to see our family doctor, the internist.  The doctor was amazed to see Bill’s improvement in alertness, initiating conversation and positive attitude. I told him Bill had been on PS for about 2 years.

     “God gets all the credit for answered prayer,” I said. The doctor smiled and agreed.

    Then, I told him about the amazing studies done on patients with memory loss, and how their abilities to learn and reason had returned, with taking Phosphatidylserine.

    The internist was very interested. He asked where I bought it – and if I would bring him some information on PS. He said some of his patients would be interested in obtaining it. I was happy to give him the information that could bring help to other people.

    It was great encouragement to see that these doctors were interested – and open to natural alternatives to prescription drugs. However, I was told they were “not allowed to recommend anything except prescribed drugs.”

My personal struggles, to find medical help for my husband, is being shared with the hope that it will help others, who have loved ones who are victims of memory loss.  I believe PS offers cognitive help for people of any age.