Problem of Dragging Feet

[Naveed001]

Hello, I am from Pakistan. My father was dignosed 22 years ago,,, (Type genetic) Age 68 years...

He managed his PD pretty well by regular exercise but now his condition is getting worse. (I think he is now at stage 04) ....

When he takes sinemet (50/250 regular + 25/100 controlled release) in morning, then after the period of 02 hours, when the effectiveness of dosage starts, he couldn't move properly; having problem of feet dragging while he walks, & drags in slightly faster speed. Then after one hour he feels better & do his necessary work. I can't understand that why his legs get rigid in the start of potency period as in the other times he feels more comfortable and relaxed. He also takes 50/250 mg at night for sleep.

So (50/250 + 25/100 + 50/250) mg is the total dose that he takes in 24 hours.

Thank God he is still stable and not falls while walking.

Please suggest how to eliminate this dragging legs problem. May be this is because he takes less quantity of levedopa in a day, but he is not willing to increase more than this.

He has also diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (IBD) 4 months ago.

Thanks.

[pvw2]

I had trouble with not picking up my feet 10 years before I was diagnosed with PD because of left hand tremors. It's a common PD symptom my brother also had. Since your father is on medication, probably the best think is physical therapy that causes him to pick up his feet, such as marching or a stationary bicycle, if available an elliptical.

[Naveed001 in reply to pvw2]

Yes you are absolutely right. But at this stage he gets irritate from therapy and massage things.

I always try to relax his muscles by massage but he always resists.

[JohnPepper]

Hi Naveed

In my opinion, the less medication he takes the better. Only he can know what is the best dose.

Let me explain the dragging feet. Pd destroys the area of the brain that subconsciously controls our movements. That means that he does not think what his legs are doing, while he is walking. Walking is a subconscious movement.

He now should start to consciously control his walking and immediately the problem disappears. I am attaching my three videos to show him how I do it. Look up my name on Amazon for other reads on the subject

My Story

youtube.com/watch?v=_QVIdPo...(Not working as expected?)

Interview with Dr Norman Doidge

youtube.com/watch?feature=p...

If you look at the three videos on my talks you will see how quickly I am able to show people how to use their conscious brain to control their walking.

Clovelly Surf Club Talk

youtu.be/Xe2ItR2Vyxs(Not working as expected?)

Barry Geffen Video

youtu.be/PQ1CT9Om6kE(Not working as expected?)

San Francisco Talk:

youtube.com/watch?v=cD6amOG...(Not working as expected?)

[Hikoi]

Your father is doing amazingly well. It is a progressive disease so this is a progression of symptoms so just encourage and be supportive as you already are.

You ask why he goes stiff after taking his meds then comes right. I have had this happen and I think it is the big hit of dopamine in one go. My body takes an hour to get into rhythm. He may find spacing his first dose with say 1/2 hour between the two pills helps.

All the best.

The videos show that giving your father an arm to lean on and the rhythm of you walking can help some people walk better but it doesn't solve the stiffness problem.

[park_bear in reply to Hikoi]

>why his legs get rigid in the start of potency period

>> I think it is the big hit of dopamine in one go

I agree. When I have too much levodopa my leg gets rigid on the affected side.