Diagnosed 5+ years no exercise program...

[alexandria12]

Would like to hear from those with PD for 5+ years and not on a regular exercise program. Diet is OK but nothing structured. Taking Sinemet, Exelon, Nemenda and Selegiline. I'm tired of exercising when I don't want to and not sure if it helps. I have no faith in my Doctors. "Practicing" is now a bad word for me. Everything is "It can only help"??? I want to know if it works!

[Felix007]

Yoga ,Pilates tai chi dancing and meditation definitely do work but in the end I think it all comes down to a positive attitude and helping others.we could have a lot worse .Make the most of what we can do .Good luck and Never Never Never Give Up

[MGirardi]

Hi Alexandria12, I am dx since 2001. Not on a specific exercise program. Many have been suggested but I'm just not able to fight the fatigue and daytime sleepiness. So many meds! Best to you.

[JohnPepper]

Hi Alexandria. I can give you a long explanation as to why exercise helps Pd, but it will not fit into this blog. In short: Walking hard for one hour, three times a week has been scientifically tested to improve Pd. Why three times a week and what does it do for us is the long story. If you go to my website - reverseparkinsons.net you can read up all about exercise, medication, research, studies and a whole lot more. MY Pd symptoms started in 1963, but I was only diagnosed with Pd in 1992. Why did it take so long? I was doing a whole lot of exercise over those 29 years and that exercise is the only thing that could possibly have slowed down the normal progression of Pd. In 2002, I stopped needing to take any further Pd medication and have been off it ever since. It is an unusual story and should be read by everybody, whether they know they have Pd or not. You are the only person who can help YOU to get better. I don't take part in this HU site in order to sell a product or make a name for myself. I want to REALLY help other people get better.

There are many different forms of Pd and my approach may only work for some of them, But any improvement makes a huge difference to the lives of those people. What have we got to lose by trying it. It costs nothing!

John

[Pete-1 in reply to JohnPepper]

Hello John

Its just occurred to me to wonder and I'm sorry if you have said before but I don't want to search through 20 million chat and blog posts that you have written, but on average with all those who have benefited from your methods how long after the first walk can one expect to perceive significant improvements with one's movement symptoms.

Also have you found any improvement in non-movement symptoms, many of which are more bothersome than the movement one's.

TIA. TTFN

[JohnPepper in reply to Pete-1]

Hi Pete. It as always nice to talk to you. I have found that the people who have got the best benefit from the walking are the ones who start with 10 minutes every 2nd day, and slowly increase the time and distance until they reach the magic 1 hour. They then continue to increase the distance they are able to walk in that 1 hour until they reach their maximum speed.

Those who go at it like a bull in a china-shop soon give up when they don't suddenly feel better. It takes months to really get the benefit from it.

Have you read the blog from Dap, she has been very successful and she tells us how much better she is and how her voice is stronger.

As you know, I have overcome most of my movement problems by doing things differently. Yes many of my other problems have improved, mainly the depression, which is always in the background waiting to pounce. I have overcome the constipation problem as well. Why don't you email me at [e-mail] and i can answer your questions a lot easier.

Kind regards

John

[PatV]

NYU has been doing a long research program on exercise and pwp's. I've been participating and I know it helps me. If you reply I will try to find the publish the research. My neuro says it's the only proven thing that is neuroprotective.

[Pete-1 in reply to PatV]

Yes please from Pete-1. Thanks. Or did you want a PM?

[HealthSeeker7]

My husband was diagnosed in 2004. We have seen a dramatic improvement in his PD since he started doing regular exercise, especially walking. He also does kettlebell weight lifting exercises and karate - he has gotten his forth belt in just over a year.

If your energy is low, try what we do now (if you have a blender) - for breakfast have a natural home-made smoothie every morning made of fresh fruit (like banana, mango, berries, apple, pear, etc), and green leaves (like spinach, kale, parsley, etc). That gives us lots of energy to get through the day.

Fresh, uncooked fruit and veg are energy givers, and juices and smoothies made from them are incredibly powerful.

[SGHALDIA in reply to HealthSeeker7]

You are absolutely correct , I agree with you.

[froggatt55]

Hi Alexandria

I can only ask you to have a bit more faith in the powers of positive thinking and exercise

I am 70 this week, have been diagnosed for over 11 years and am still fairly fit and active which I put down to Meds (of course) Sinemet, Azilect, Amantadine and Requip XL but most of all to Exercise - I recently started Boxing Training which works for me. I go twice a eek and I also go to the gym for a general workout with resistance machines

I know what you mean when you say you are tired of exercise (I'll let you into a secret; I skipped my class today 'cause I just didn't feel like it - but I will make up for it later because it's essential for us believe me)

My email address is [e-mail] and if you contact me, I'll send you my paper on R.I.P.E. Realistic Improvement in Parkinson's through Exercise which will hopefully make sense to you

It's a b.gger having "The Beast" as I call it but we can keep it at bay through Intense Exercise

I don't have faith in Research - I have been let down too many times - which is why I took up exercise and it does work I promise you

Look forward to hearing from you

Kind regards

[laglag in reply to froggatt55]

Boxing works! Look up the website: rocksteadyboxing.org I've been doing this program for 7 1/2 yrs. & most people can't tell I have PD. I was diagnosed 11 yrs ago.

[froggatt55 in reply to laglag]

wow Laglag - that's amazing. I've only been boxing for 5 months but an improvement has been obvious - I wish I had started it earlier. I', also an 11 year veteran

[JohnPepper in reply to laglag]

Hi laglag. I am so pleased to hear all these stories about other people getting the benefit from exercise of all kinds. Keep up this communication so that others will get the message that IT REALLY DOES WORK!

John

[laglag in reply to froggatt55]

Oh yeah, also........Keep Fighting!

[horsplay]

If you have no faith in your doctor rh=be get a new one. Don't stop the exercise, your symptoms will get worse.

[StephCabo]

I'm sorry you have no faith in your Dr. Try doing research. Knowledge of PD is the best thing you can do for your self. That and exercise, especially when you don't feel like it. It helps more than your medication. There are many studies out there to prove how effective and benificial exercise. I have been to many siminars on and voulnteered for many wlakathons to raise money for reasearch for Parkinsons. A good attitude helps and helping others is what works for me. Try looking on the National Parikson Disase Foundation link for studies or on APDA.. There are so many out there. Best of luck to you.

[Pappy214]

I would hate to think of the condition I would be in had I not been turned on to body flow immediately after diagnosis. I was on .5 Azilect 1x day for 5 yrs was then put on generic sinemet 6 a day + 6 carbidopa side effects of the drugs is worst than the disease , quit taking them still on pain,anti anxiety,,and 1 happy pill and am 420 friendly so usually hit some medical grade Indica and life is good , exercise allows me to play with grandkids , golf, and travel and stay very loose. Body flow is offered at Golds Gyms world wide .

Best of luck and never give up!

[pingopenguin]

Exercise does help, it will help with general mobility but will only slow the onset of your Parkinson's.

If you can do chair based exercises, pilates. You o not want cardo-vascular exercises.

You need to stretch your muscles in your arms and legs/back/throat.

Walking and above all cycling is excellent Stationary cycling if you can not mange the outdoors.

The exercises will help but you have to give them time.

Good luck

[froggatt55]

I'm sorry but Exercise IS key for us PwP. We owe it to ourselves and our Carers and Families to do the most we can in terms of Exercise and thereby show ourselves as the best we can - Google Bob Raeburn and R.I.P.E.

[mj2dg]

I agree with froggatt55 that exercise is very important for PwPs. I also think it's important to find some type of exercise that you like to do so you will keep at it. I usually set aside the morning for exercise because by the afternoon I lack the motivation to do it unless I have a class scheduled.

[justaninconvenience]

Allie - it won't happn ovrnite but it has positively helped physically mentally & spiritually. Besides being a diamond salesman most of my career - it certainly was an advantage that I was a personal trader part-time thruout my life since college days.

If I can help you custom design an exercise plan let me know - All the best, Dave

[Hikoi]

This looks good

SPECIALIZED REHABILITATION & EXERCISE FOR 7 DAYS,

5/6 HOURS PER DAY

cureparkinsons.org.uk/Handl...

[froggatt55]

Hello alexandria12

Exercise Works OK?

How are you doing 2 years down the track??