Swimming

[tjpoppop]

I have had Parkinson's for four years I'll be 59 soon I decided to take up swimming because they say exercise is good during the summer I was doing great but now I can't get my legs and arms to go in time out of sync I've lost my stroke anyone else having difficulties swimming

[stevie3]

Yes! One of the first things that went.

[glenandgerry in reply to stevie3]

Yes, same for my husband.....such a shame as he was always such a good swimmer but is now no longer able. So he walks and sometimes rides a bicycle (but finds dismounting difficult).

[tjpoppop in reply to glenandgerry]

Thanks

[tjpoppop in reply to stevie3]

Thanks

[Motal]

Hi. Is it that your strokes (arms) arent in sync w your kicks?

One thing that might at least stabilize things for you is a pull buoy - an hourglass piece of hard foam you tuck between your legs. I saw some swimmers (not PWP) at the gym pool using them to focus on and strengthen their strokes. They couldn't kick while deploying the pull buoy - which at the same time kept their legs from dragging low in the water.

My kick was pretty wimpy and my legs (esp. the left) were like dead weight. Adding the pull buoy changed all that. By keeping my legs horizontal and afloat, it lets me get the benefit of swimming - backstroke esp helps with rotating the core, a benefit I still feel hours later.

Pull buoys run $11-$20.

[tjpoppop in reply to Motal]

Thanks

[onlysize3feet]

I have similar problems. My solution was to buy a float that I held out in front of me and I could do lengths just kicking my legs. Then I did exercise classes in water to get my arms moving.

It's not the same as swimming but exercising in water is really brilliant and I missed it a lot. The only problem I had was the fact that it took me ages and ages to get changed afterwards but I reward myself with a brimming cup of hot chocolate and a small nap when I get home.

[tjpoppop in reply to onlysize3feet]

Thanks

[paddyfields]

One of the very early signs with me. Swimming along, looking as if drowning as usual, when all of sudden my arms did not know what to do and after the initial panic found that I could consciously do it but did not feel safe in water thereafter. Same thing happened with Ceroc - I would suddenly lose it.

[tjpoppop in reply to paddyfields]

Thanks

[doddle42]

I have the same problem. I have found that I can swim underwater; coming up for a breath

when needed. It might work for you! If being underwater bothers you try chlorine goggles and a nose- clip ; this gives you confidence.

[tjpoppop in reply to doddle42]

Thanks

[TheresaCurley]

I went swimming one time this past summer and I was still able to swim, but got worn out almost instantly.

[Allyn]

I was diagnosed in 2013 and started sinemet in 2014 - due to my swimming strokes being a little off (been swimming since 2008.) The sinemet helped, maybe you need a different dose of meds. Also, I find swimming with swim fins helps me get a better workout . Easier to propel in the water, plus getting more power and more energy in each stroke. Makes swimming both easier and more difficult!

[suzanna7]

Since I was diagnosed with PD I just get too tired trying to swim, so I use a woggle in the swimming pool and it's brilliant. My co-ordination is brilliant and I can keep going for 10 lengths, with a few short restsi n-between.

Another good exercise I found was to just sit on the woggle as if it was a swing, and try to balance on it. Hold onto the poolside first, but it comes with practice. Eventually, you will be able to put both your arms forward and paddle with your legs - in the shallow end of course. Good luck.

[JohnPepper]

HiTjpoppop. Not all exercise has any affect on Pd. Swimming has been shown, in Dr Beth Fisher's controlled study, to have no affect on the progression of Pd symptoms.

I have been able to reverse my symptoms by taking up Fast Walking. If yo contact me on my website - reverseparkinsons.net I will tell you, free of charge, how to do the same.

John Pepper

[silvestrov]

PARKINSON’S DISEASE AQUATIC THERAPY HELPS PATIENTS

hydroworx.com/blog/aquatic-...