Conundrum

[Enidah]

One of the things I really don't like about PD, and there's quite a few things, is that when you feel crappy, unlike with most illnesses, going to bed is not going to help much. People tell me, take a nap, go rest, take it easy, and I know that what I probably need to do is go for a strenuous walk or some such thing. It's always, push push push. So we are left with feeling crummy and also needing to keep moving. Grrrr... Frustrating!

[park_bear]

It sounds like you are suffering from PD-fatigue. Modifying your meds may help, such as using selegiline for your MAO-B inhibitor, or trying amantadine.

Qigong makes me feel good and I do my practice restfully sitting - my story here - healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

[Enidah in reply to park_bear]

Thank you PB. I have that on my list of things to look into because of you mention it before. Sounds helpful.

[hopedope in reply to park_bear]

We do a similar exercise of holding the chi energy ball in our tai chi class during the warm-up session. I put the video into my Tai Chi bookmark folder.

[M_rosew]

My PD has caused damage which makes me less able to do certain things ('disability'), but I don't think of myself as being 'ill'. So yes, stay out of bed and off the chair for as long as you're able!

I do find tasks I enjoy are the easiest to accomplish.

[Serenity_finaly-1]

You have to have the drive and the passion to push yourself. You can have bad days, bad weeks, bad years. It is ok to sit and play Candy Crush. You are still exercising your brain. I am really getting tired of the common theme that PARKINSON'S IS JUST A MOVEMENT disorder. You need to keep active but that means the brain too.

[Enidah]

Today is my mother's 95th birthday so I went out to her house and gardened and changed the sheets on her bed and feel much better. I do think I need to make an appointment with neurologist and talk meds.

[JosieDubbel]

You can also do something soft like chi kong or yoga or meditation

[lempa_nik]

Crummy is right! I can relate to this. But unlike you, when my meds go off, I often try to lie down and go to sleep. The tremor and achiness are for sure an obstacle to relaxing, but with persistence, I may fall asleep for a spell and find a temporary refuge from the discomfort. For me this is usually quicker than taking more meds and then waiting an hour or longer for them to kick in.

[Serenity_finaly-1 in reply to lempa_nik]

It's interesting you say that. Since I was diagnosed with extremely high anxiety and now on meds for it, when I tie up in knots I spread out on the floor and in 5 min I am asleep. I awake and then feel much better.

[JohnPepper]

Many people hate me saying this on this website, but the more I say it the more people might listen.

What you don't use, you lose. That's right. If you stop using your legs and arms you will lose most f your existing movement capabilities.

I suggest to everybody that if they want to overcome Pd symptoms then start doing strenuous exercise. Read my profile and make your own decision

[hopedope]

I also growl about the need to exercise so much now that I am diax with PD. I never exercised much before. I do feel a sense of accomplishment now though and if it will delay more disease symptoms as it is supposed to do then I will keep on doing it.

[paddyfields]

I agree it' s a conundrum and then at 77 you have to factor in what is sensible/attainable. I know the more I do and keep on the go the better I am physically. Today and yesterday I have been seduced by the computer and also for the past week or so have done a lot of hanging around waiting for kitchen fitters etc.to tippy tap on the front door. - new kitchen. Result shuffling wreck with sore hip to boot. Can't wait to get into a better exercise routine which includes a modest amount of forced pace cycling. I think as a general rule of thumb with PD you can-do more than you think..

[Enidah]

I certainly appreciate the responses because I feel inspired and less alone. I don't have Tremor dominant PD but I do have extremely painful PD and I know if I slack off it will get a lot more painful. It is just hard to stay inspired and keep moving. But worth it, when I'm done I always feel so much better.

[Enidah]

On a show I was listening to yesterday the people were talking about dopamine and how it is the chemical that makes us look forward to things and gets us moving. If that is true no wonder it's so hard to get myself out of the house and doing. Once I'm moving it's okay.

[Bridielena]

I jump around so much when trying to relax its impossible. Even my Birman kitten won't sit on my lap for long. Dyskinesia has wrecked my shoulder too so I feel another Cortisone shot is looming.

My Mum is always asking me to rest more but by 'doing' something physical is the only way to ease the jerks. Haven't had any meds since 6.30 this morning but the jerking is non stop and I thought it was a MADOPAR side effect!!!

It's very isolated where I live and only have 2 others to communicate with and share. They have different symptoms too but at least we can still laugh. I'm the only jerker and it can be so powerful I move the table we are trying to have coffee at. Relax....what's that.