What helps

[kaypeeoh]

So Sinemet helps but not for me. U-tube videos by neuros all say exercise helps. Right now it's 20 degrees and snowing sideways. I can't see my neighbor's house. Before getting sick I was an ultra runner. Ultras are anything longer than a marathon. My favorite distance was 50 mile races. So I've had over 30 years of practice running in 20 degrees and snowing sideways when I can't see my neighbor's house.

But I don't wanna. Is this because of PD? Is it affecting my mind? Taking away my desire to exercise, at least when weather is crappy? I put up with the tremor, I put up with the tiny illegible handwriting. I put up with my wife patting my back saying, "You're getting old, dude." as I stare out at the sideways snow.

Luckily I have a treadmill.

[1953bullard]

Yes, it’s totally the apathy that comes with PD. I fight it every single day. It’s a battle to get out the door

[kaypeeoh in reply to 1953bullard]

Because I had problems with Sinemet they added amantadine. That made a big difference. But I quit the Sinemet anyway. I stayed with the amantadine because it's also useful for MS.

[luba1 in reply to kaypeeoh]

How long do you take Amantadine? Thank you very much!

[kaypeeoh in reply to luba1]

Once a day. It's supposed to be twice daily but generally I forget the second dose.

[NanCyclist]

Apathy is another gift from PD. I find that if I identify short term, rather easily achieved goals, I can move past the apathy to achieve them. Then reward yourself and go on to the next one. It's a. little game that you play with yourself, but it works.

[LAJ12345]

I’m finding icariin from horny goat weed is helping my husband with apathy at the moment. He is taking up lots of things he used to interested in again.

amazon.com/Planetary-Herbal....

[JohnPepper]

Hi Kaypeeoh. You sound like quite a character, Have you looked at my website - reverseparkinsons.net? Why not look at it and contact me, I am sure we can work out what you can do to produce GDNF and help repair your damaged brain cells.

I live in the opposite side of the world in South Africa, Right now it is summer and it's a bit warmer than 20 f degrees.

There is always a way to do something positive about Pd, if you are prepared to get off your butt.

[Kwinholt]

Hi there, I am an ultra runner too. Diagnosed in 2013, I fight the dystonia and tremors and ..... I take cd/ld 6 per day, Azilect 1, comtan 2, 1/2 modifinal. The cd/ ld helps me continue to run. I know longer do my 50 milers but have done this year some 50k, marathons and spartan races however, I have severed my hamstring and am now in the recovery mode from reattachment surgery. So no running for me for a bit. Don’t give up on it bc along with the assets physically for PD, it helps me mentally with the PD too. Being immobile has thrown things haywire for me. I was supposed to be doing my 20th consecutive California International Marathon in December but had to defer it with my injury. I was disappointed but determined and hopeful to be running again. I my not be doing as many miles as I have the last 20 years but I will be happy with even doing 5 miles a day after this recovery. I also find if it’s really cold out and I get the shivers from the cold it starts the tremors going too. So maybe your treadmill is the answer for you right now. One foot in front of the other , that’s all we can do. Don’t give up on yourself . I believe in you , you will feel better even if your doing a few miles on the treadmill. Take care. Karen

[kaypeeoh]

Hi Karin, Similar to your CIM, I was prepping for my 10th Laramie double marathon when I fell apart. Now that I'm trying to get back at it, the Laramie race has been changed to a 50k. Maybe I'll try that someday.

kevin

[Kwinholt in reply to kaypeeoh]

Kevin, Just don’t give up on the running and I completely understand about how this disease encompasses our whole life. Everything has changed for me. I truly believed I was going to be different, I will control this and for the first couple of years I did . Everyday is a fight, this is an awful disease but educate yourself on all the aspects and this forum is so helpful bc we are all in this together and we understand how and what you are feeling even if the right words can’t explain it. Karen

[ddmagee1]

Apathy, my friend, may be what the problem is, here. Apathy makes me feel somewhat listless, and I find it hard to want to go out, and do things that I used to do. I can empathize with you! Some people, with PD find Apathy to be a debilitating symptom. Oftentimes, I’ve had health professionals state that exercise benefits, and is the answer for some PD symptoms, such as stiffness, lethargy, and apathy. With me, exercise helps, but does not take away the Apathy. If you can find a way to rekindle your interest in certain activities, that may help! Wishing you the best! You are not alone, as one who suffers from Apathy!