Exercise if you can!

[charlton]

I find going to the gym 3 times a week very theraputic. My consultant says vigorous exercise has shown a positive effect in lots of PD cases, has anybody got any comments? I was diagnosed 4 yrs ago i take, modopar, azilect and ropinerole and am still leading a normal (!) life.

[sparkyparky]

How vigorous? Treadmill? Cross trainer? For how long? Thanks

[charlton in reply to sparkyparky]

yes treadmill total 15mins, cross trainer 5mins, rower 1000m, total session about 1hr, 3 times a week

[kamair in reply to charlton]

I do treadmill for 30 min, cross tr for 30 min + 30 min yoga - this is the best for me

but my speed on treadmill is only 4-4.5 km/h - so my pulse is not more than 120

wouldn't call it intensive

(I am 52 y.o. woman)

[jillannf6 in reply to charlton]

YOU R GREAT TO BE DOING SO MUCH EXERCISE

DO UYOU WORK OUT AT THE GYM RO AT HOME??LOL JILL

[Cerelia]

I was diagnosed 12 years ago, at that time I was running twice a week, swimming and going to the gym. I have continued to exercise moderately, in various ways, Tai Chi, Wii Fit, and using the gym. as well as walking whenever possible. In spite of this, Parkinson's has progressed, in particular my balance became worse. I continued using the gym until a few months ago when I had a lot of pain in my lower back and hips. Scan showed nothing more than was expected at my age, 72, but I was advised not to use the gym. I have had a few falls due to loss of balance, but I noticed that my arm and legs were losing strength. so I made the decision to return to the gym, but avoid the cycle and rower, using equipment that exercises the limbs without putting strain on the joints. Only you can know what suits you, but medical advice should be obtained, especially if you are not used to exercising, or have other medical conditions. I don't think vigorous is necessarily the right way but making an effort can make a difference. I wouldn't say my life is 'normal' compared with what I had expected B P., but I am able to do all I have to do. Good luck

[BillDavid in reply to Cerelia]

I too am 72....damaged a knee in youth has limited my ability to run or use a treadmill. In addition have COPD which markedly affects endurance.

For past year have been able to utilize a Theracycle exercise bike that provides propulsion for pedaling as recommended by Cleveland Clinic Research.....has made a world of difference combined with LSVT BIG Physical Therapy. Balance is not an issue using Theracycle. Also I did TaiChi for many years before PD.....big help now with balance. Diagnosed for 8 years.

[PatV in reply to Cerelia]

Did you get PT for each of your injuries? I've learned a LOT from my PT!!!

[BillDavid in reply to PatV]

PatV

received PT for damaged knee and PD (LSVT BIG) not for COPD.

Physical Therapy has been a big help for Both.....LSVT BIG is special in that learn how to move yourself to compensate for symptoms....such as getting in and out of car is no big deal, can arise from armless chair of any height, can free walk as far as my COPD allows, now can get up off the floor, etc. Having some control of my symptoms is beyond encouraging. In addition learned to "calibrate" where my body is in space from PT, very helpful for movement.

BillDavid

[Hidden]

Define vigorous please

[charlton in reply to Hidden]

1hr session 15 mins treadmill, 1000m rower, 5 mins crosstrainer, plus upper and lower body weights

[Cerelia]

My understanding of vigorous execise is that it's energetic to the point of becoming breathless.

[charlton in reply to Cerelia]

thats correct my heart rate goes to about 125

[froggatt55]

Hi Charlton

it is one of the best therapies around. I exercise every day, Monday-boxing training; Tuesday- yoga; Wednesday-Circuit training; Friday-Boxing training and in between times on my exercise bike and treadmill in my garage with weights plus gardening and chopping wood

I have been diagnosed 11 years. I take Azilect, Sinemet, Amantadine and Requip and also lead a fairly normal life. I am not at my best in the evenings though unless I have a nap in the afternoon

I have a PwP correspondent in Vancouver and she has managed to half her meds through intense exercise 3 times weekly

Kind regards

Bob

[kamair in reply to froggatt55]

didn't work for me

if I try weights/boxing or something like this I need 2-3 days rest (not only from sport - from daily activities too)

so I stay with yoga/pilates/etc

my problem is rigidity - maybe intence ex. help with tremor and not with the regifity?

[froggatt55 in reply to kamair]

Hi Kamair - have you tried more intense stretching? When I lived I London, I used to attend Putkisto classes - this is a type of extreme stretching that I found very good. Unfortunately there are no practitioners in Sheffield

[kamair in reply to froggatt55]

never heard about Putkisto

I do yenger yoga - this is what they have in the local gym - and it is good 4 me

I wonder if I can do more strength exersices - meanwhile looks like it makes my symptoms (rigidity and pain) worth

[charlton in reply to kamair]

i do have problems with fingers and right arm

[kamair in reply to charlton]

but if you run it is legs - not arms

do you do intensive ex. with your right arm?

[charlton in reply to kamair]

yes as part of my session i row and also do weights

[charlton in reply to kamair]

i do suffer with painfull stiff fingers

[charlton in reply to froggatt55]

thanks for reply, i am keen gardener and have an allotment i do suffer with pain in fingers which is a problem

[ram927]

Yes I agree with that statement. I go to the gym 4 to 5 times week. I take yoga and palate twice week it develops core strength and balance I also work with pt machines all mater and hep build a deference against PD starting a program of cross training

[JohnPepper]

Hi charlton. Do you mean that you take Azilect and Rasagiline? I thought they are both one and the same thing. I can't think that taking both will do you any good. I am not a doctor, only a patient like you. Have you read any other items written by me on HealthUnlocked? I don't like to repeat myself, it gets pretty boring to others.

Kind regards

John

[charlton in reply to JohnPepper]

my apolgies i should have said Ropinerole not Rasagiline

[PatV]

Yes, I recently went to a seminar given my neuro and his associates at NYU and they said that after YEARS of research on all kinds of pharmaceuticals and other treatments, only ONE thing was PROVEN to be neuroprotective: EXERCISE!!!!!!! Start as soon as you are diagnosed. Any kind, as much as you can. I will look for the handouts, but cannot promise I will post promptly because I just returned from my mother's funeral. She was 93 and died 6 months after having a severe stroke.

[Kanu-Kamdar]

Yes Exercise, Yoga etal make aa big difference in PD. See in Youtube "Delay the Disease" many exercises keeps you off medications and you caan delaay the disese.

After three years of medications I tapered off my medicatipons and am without them for eight years. I have done three thhings

1) Regular Exercise and Yoga

2) Changed to a healthy diet tending towards Vegan diet and

3) Accepted many life style changes

At 78 years I am completely independent

Best wishes Charlton

Kanu Kamdar

[e-mail]

[Hidden in reply to Kanu-Kamdar]

Well done Kanu, brilliant. I am 73 and was diagnosed 3-4 years ago. I'm on Stalevo and Rasageline. My exercise regime is not particularly heavy and contains multitasking ( walking throwing a ball etc.)

back stretching, balancing eg wobble board, a bit of LSVT and a bit of weights. I used to go on the bike for 20 mins but somehow dropped that. I also meditate for 20 mins. Having read your account and a few others I'd like to do more. Maybe you could chuck in a few more ideas. The diet for example. Inspire me!

[HealthSeeker7]

I totally agree with your consultant - and am still learning and adapting having been diagnosed with PD in October 2004.

Although on far more medication(***), I find that after strenuous exercise (and this also occurs, too, if I have had to use my brain more and focus on some deep problem) I feel really lifted up and light-hearted for longer than I normally would if just sitting around.

***My daily medication regime consists of 1 Madopar, 6 Gabapentin, 5 Stalevo, 1 Pramepexol and 2 Amitryptaline tablets.

[kamair]

we r not the same - so what is good for one doesn't work for another one

my main problem is rigidity, so I have to strech and relax my mussles - yoga, feldencrize, pilates are good for me, strength exersices make my reigidity worse, and one of my PD friends does strength exersices - it helps her

I think tai chi, yoga, pilates , feldencrize, traidmill, dancing are good for all - all the rest depends on the person

[mikael]

I bought the dvd "Be Fit Over Fifty" Therapeutic Fitness Program recommended for : Parkinsons and 6 other disorders. I find if I do this at least 3 times a week I can see the difference. It takes about 45 minutes and has exercises from head to toe (sitting down) I believe the cost was around 23 dollars. Just a suggestion.......I also walk with my walker 4 to 6 blocks aday (weather permitting) but like they say everyone is different!!!

[willow7]

Yes i exercise by running with my dogs along the coastal path i find it has helped me stop draging my right leg

On the down side a lot of pints at the weekend is bad for me re parkinsons as the draging leg comes back when i drink a lot diagnosed this last year