Freezing up. : Today at Crossfit the work... - Cure Parkinson's

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Freezing up.

Bailey_Texas profile image
43 Replies

Today at Crossfit the work out was 5 k (3.1 miles} i ran 2.5 miles and walked the rest. After resting about 10 minutes i started for the door and froze about 20 feet from it. I stood there for about 10 minutes until one of the ladies found me. I put my arm around her shoulders and off we went to my car. This has happened to me about 5 times in the past 4 or 5 years, Each time I had to wait for some one to get me going.

I had several people in the past just walk by and do nothing, Even had one man run away when i asked him for help.

Has anyone had this happen to them.

Just for fun this is my work out for tomorrow

8 Muscle Ups or Rope Climbs

13 Deadlifts, 225/155

14 Power Cleans, 175/125

17 Overhead Squats, 135/95

27 Bar Facing Burpees

100 Double Unders

27 Bar Facing Burpees

17 Overhead Squats, 135/95

14 Power Cleans, 175/125

13 Deadlifts, 225/155

8 Muscle Ups or Rope Climbs

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Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas
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43 Replies
Fredzu profile image
Fredzu

I wonder what would happen if you walked backwards a few steps?

Fjohn1

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply toFredzu

Can't move any direction.

Fredzu profile image
Fredzu in reply toBailey_Texas

The pervasive thought that you had was not I am frozen. The thought that was the driver was I am abandoned, I am alone.

With all your accomplishments and strengths, you were vulnerable.

You have never been more stronger as in those 10 minutes.

Fjohn1

rajbhai profile image
rajbhai in reply toFredzu

HI,fjohn1, this has happend to me several times, some times i start working backwards ,my wife and children laugh a lot when i work in say reverse gear .but i can reach my car ,toilet, kitchen or any place close by easly in reverse.but most of the time i am ok in front gears .

laglag profile image
laglag

I'm sure that's frustrating. You may have heard this before, but try to imagine a line in front of you and get your mind to imagine stepping over that line. I've also heard that seems to happen a lot right before you go thru a doorway? Not sure of the relationship?

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply tolaglag

i will next time.

Don_oregon_duck profile image
Don_oregon_duck in reply toBailey_Texas

I understand building strength, like Crossfit does, is not good for pwp's. I am wondering if adding some movement routines would help

. I just had my first rocksteady boxing work out today. I have not had to be so lite on my feet since I have been DXd. I can see how the mobility will really help.

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply toDon_oregon_duck

Thanks for your concern.

Good luck on your boxing. I have done it a couple of times. It is hard and good for you. Go as much as you can and give it 100% every time.

Building strength is never a bad thing it happens every time a person works out. Building strength is only one aspect of Crosssfit it is a overall body building program. We also do some yoga, stretching,and like the 5k cardio. We move in all directions. One thing we do is called a wall squat. Stand facing the wall with your feet as close to the wall as you can put your hands above your head palms on the wall and do a full squat. Some people can do it with thier toes touching the wall. it takes a lot of mobility to do that. I can do it with my toes 3 in from the wall. We do 25 at a time.

My personal best are

395 lbs dead lift

260 lbs back squat

210 lbs front squat

Not bad for a 62 year old

Don_oregon_duck profile image
Don_oregon_duck in reply toBailey_Texas

I Iike Crossfit. I did it for 6 years. You are good at it, I can tell. I have never experienced a forced movement of the feet like the boxing does. I am just getting started in it. It is the only training I have done that makes me move my feet so fast. Believe me, that is not natural for me.

finlander profile image
finlander

What medications do you take for your PD? If you take levodopa in some form, it is my guess that your body is depleted of dopamine, especially after such a strenuous and lengthy period of intense physical exercise. If you replenished your intake of levodopa, part way through your workout, you might resolve the freezing. I find this effective for myself. After having PD for about 8 years now, when I become depleted of dopamine, it seems to drop out of me all of a sudden, with little advance warning, so I try to keep ahead of it. Also, I have a metronome app on my iPhone, When I feel myself falling into an "OFF" period I start the metronome and I can march right along with the beat.. Good beat from dance music also works. I also mix in a visual aid by stepping over crack lines in concert or patterns in tile floors.

Regards,

Finlander

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply tofinlander

I don't believe i was out of doamine but it was time for a dose of C/L. I was ok after i got a push and felt normal and i drove home (15 minutes) and took my meds and started doing yard work for about 2 hours without any problem.

Thanks

grower profile image
grower in reply toBailey_Texas

dopamine is what C/L delivers

FMundo profile image
FMundo in reply tofinlander

This is an outstanding answer! The idea of a smartphone deployed as a metronome... in particular. Is there a particular app that you would reccommend... or is that function built into Smartphone/Iphone Operating Systems. Thanks for the idea!

finlander profile image
finlander in reply toFMundo

I use the "MC" Metronome by ONYX. It's a free one.

superjanet profile image
superjanet

Vitamin K stopped my husband freezing. Check with your doctor if it's OK to take it.

Beckey profile image
Beckey

I can't say much for your crossfit peers! I'd like to give them a piece of my mind!

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply toBeckey

Thanks

This is the only time at Crossfit the other times were in other places. Sorry i was not clear about that. If some one at Crossfit did not help they would never be allowed to return. We are like family there. Anyone there would carry me if need be they are all aware of my condition.

Beckey profile image
Beckey in reply toBailey_Texas

Bailey, I'm so glad to hear it!

jacquiosz profile image
jacquiosz

the should make a list of things that happens to you, like a penicillin bracelet. you can ask people to look at it so they can help.

Jeansm profile image
Jeansm

Happened to me right before the front door. Eventually got moving by stepping sideways like a crab. After I had recovered from crying with shock and frustration. Has not happened since taking Sinemet.

Peeingx4 profile image
Peeingx4

I freeze up because of overuse of my muscles -'maybe you just doing too much at once. However. I have (Parkinsons) low dopamine. Make any sense ?

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply toPeeingx4

I have froze just walking across a parking lot. Over use of muscle for me has very little to do with it. It seems to be random.

Thanks

Peeingx4 profile image
Peeingx4

If you are are a PWP you need to adjust your dosage and meds timing to counter the drop in dopamine. But consult your doctor first.

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply toPeeingx4

My meds work great. I am in my 11th year and freezing once or twice a year is not something to worry about. I just asked to see how other people handle it.

Thanks for your advice

racerCP profile image
racerCP

Why do you think you froze this time? You are still my hero.

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply toracerCP

Thanks

Don't know no rhyme or reason. Felt okay soon as got going.

hedier7 profile image
hedier7

One tip from my physiotherapist WIGGLE or balance your body from right to left as much as you can.

If you can lift a foot at each time, even better. Don't look on the floor.

Hope to have been of any help

FMundo profile image
FMundo

what, pray tell, is a "bar facing burpee?" Sounds like something you wouldn't do in mixed company. :)

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply toFMundo

this is it

youtube.com/watch?v=hhXJyhu...

TheresaCurley profile image
TheresaCurley

Let me understand this Bailey. You were frozen and couldn't do anything for as much as 10 minutes and yet you still drive? That does not sound safe!

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply toTheresaCurley

It only effects me when frozen no after effects

TheresaCurley profile image
TheresaCurley in reply toBailey_Texas

What happens if you freeze while you are driving?

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply toTheresaCurley

Only effects walking

Pauldmd profile image
Pauldmd

From what I have read, freezing occurs when the brain has difficulty coordinating stride length in different situations. For example, normally your stride length would shorten when walking through a doorway but with Parkinson's disease it does not occur naturally and that short-circuiting can cause freezing. Is it possible that the combination of physical and mental exhaustion after a rigorous workout may have made you less focused on walking? I find I have to focus on every step I take. If my mind wanders while on the stairs I completely lose track of where my feet are. I have also found that there are times that my brain is telling me I cannot move but by forcing my attention on moving I am able to get going. Parkinson's disease strikes at the things we can always have taken for granted. Walking is probably first among them. The best way to prevent freezing is to approach walking the way you approach your workouts, focusing on form. Pay attention to stride length, arm swing and your surroundings. When I am in particularly crowded places or on stairs I count my steps, which keeps me focused.

I admire and commend you for your devotion to fitness. I have been unable to exercise for a couple of years because of back pain but prior to that I was very active and found that strength training helped me enormously. I did find however that my recovery time increased considerably. Although only diagnosed in 1999, I was having recognizable symptoms in the early 1980s. One of the first I noticed was that after a heavy workout my muscles did not respond the way they always had and I felt like I was tearing them down. Research has shown that this is actually the case. However, everyone is different and as long as you are benefiting from the rigorous workout why not continue as long as you can.

Enidah profile image
Enidah in reply toPauldmd

Thank you for that informative post. I too have pain which makes working out difficult. My knee was getting better and then I jogged a little the other day and that set me back. Also my shoulder and wrist and elbow are suffering. I so admire what Bailey is able to do... Amazing!

PD is the, neither rhyme nor reason disease. We try desperately to make sense of it, to find a pattern we can cling on to. But, no! We are all different and even within those differences there are differences...to our days, to how our meds are working or not working. It's always exciting. I haven't experienced freezing yet, but it's good to know there's more to look forward to in the future. Ha!

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi

Bailey, you may not work out why it happens but below are some tips for dealing with it.

About one third of people with Parkinson's disease experience freezing episodes. Freezing episodes are sudden, short, transient blocks of movement that occur primarily with initiating walking, turning, navigating through narrow spaces or approaching obstacles. Freezing can last just a few seconds or up to several minutes.

Ten Tips to put the Freeze on Freezing!

Try another movement – raise an arm, touch your head, point to the ceiling; then re-start

Change direction: if you can't move forward, try stepping sideways and then go forward

Carry a laser pointer in your pocket; when you freeze – shine the laser in front of your foot and step on the light – this cue can help you re-start.

Visualize an object on the ground in front of you and try to step over it.

Wear a metronome on your belt or carry a small one in your pocket – turn it on and the external beat can help you re-start.

Try humming a song and time your re-start with the beat of the music

Count "1-2-3-go" and then step forward

Weight shift side to side to help initiate taking a step

March in place a few times and then step forward

Don't fight the freeze by trying harder to step forward – shift your attention from moving the legs to moving the arms – then resume walking forward.

Beckey profile image
Beckey in reply toHikoi

Hikoi, what an invaluable list!

Noella21 profile image
Noella21

The metranome app is a great idea . Now if some one could make a an app with laser line or something like that . I heard that there are walkers with them. The walkers sold also have a metranome beat.

Chicafromchitown profile image
Chicafromchitown

Has anyone tried any Meds/Supplements that worked or helped with Freezing?

Chicafromchitown profile image
Chicafromchitown in reply toChicafromchitown

Hal-9000

which ones have you tried that more or less worked for you. I have Lorazepan, has anyone tried this med for freezing? Thanks

Chicafromchitown profile image
Chicafromchitown

Are you using Sertraline for Freezing or for depression??

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper

I can help you with freezing! I have been all over the English-speaking world, not to every city or town, but have spoken to many people with the same problem and have shown each one how easily overcome it.

If you go to my website and contact me, will tell you how to do it, at no cost at all to you.

Chicafromchitown profile image
Chicafromchitown

Hello Hal-9000

My freezing is getting worst, last post you didn't answer about using Sertraline for freezing

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