Exercise

[PeggyDay]

I was very active prior to my onset of PD three years ago and continued with my exercising. Over the past year, I have progressively had to slow down the frequency of my workouts. At present exercise causes significant fatigue, pain and stiffness in my legs. The most I can do is 15 minutes a week. Any more than that and I am completely wiped out. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Hikoi]

Sounds like you are unmedicated or under medicated. I am weak when i run out of dopamine. What medication are you on?

[GymBag]

I suspect that Hikoi is correct and you are not taking medication as prescribed. You sound like you are experiencing what you should not have to see for another 15 years if ever.

Please answer the question .

Please consider that PD medication will allow you to exercise. The exercise will help keep the PD down , then you can really exercise and reap huge benefits.

[PeggyDay in reply to GymBag]

When I was first diagnosed I was prescribed carb/levo and it made my symptoms worse. A few months later I was prescribed Nupro and had the same reaction. So no I do not takes meds, just supps.

[LAJ12345 in reply to PeggyDay]

Ask to try Kemadrin as it balances the agitation effect of the levodopa. Take 1/4 tablet for a week then 1/4 twice a day. This has helped my husband as he couldn’t tolerate the levodopa. They say to up it to 1 twice a day a day but the 1/4 is enough for him. There are bad side effects possible on high doses so take the least amount you can to get some relief.

[gregorio]

I can relate closely with you, there is one difference, I am on a Keto diet and have all the energy I need. Tried Meds for a few months then after a lot of research went your route and went on the diet

[dellac]

Same here. I ran a marathon 4 years ago, two months ago I could barely walk 20minutes without being wiped out. I've been taking lots of supplements for a year now, but I caved and started the ropinirol that was prescribed, I am still on a low dose but have more energy already. So far no side effects, I want to start exercising again but cannot do it without the meds it seems.

[GymBag]

OK here is the cold hard truth. I have seen this situation here over and over . Parkinson's is different for everyone , but there is a reason that they do not call this Parkinson's Inconvenience. A very few lucky people can do what you are trying, but both they and you do not yet understand that you are probably in a battle for your life and that what you have experienced so far is a very small taste of what may be coming.

I was diagnosed 20 years ago and I have become progressively worse. Medication does not reduce the rate of onset on its own, it is not a cure, it has side effects and you have to slowly get used to it and its not nice but its tolerable. Most of the people that were diagnosed at the same time are gone and I am a lucky man, thank God for the medication.

By taking the minimum amount of prescribed medication that keeps everything in control and increasing it and adding other medication as the doctor recommends then you will be able to and must exercise as hard as is possible. Forced exercise reduces the symptoms and rate of unset .

The brain is very short of the chemicals necessary to communicate , give instruction and get feedback from every muscle in your body including external voluntary muscles and internal involuntary muscles . Your heart is a muscle and your bowls operate because of them. Everything from blinking to coughing up fluid to stop your lungs from drowning with Pneumonia is affected.

Face reality, accept it get off your chair and get moving, NOW.

Be happy

[Dholplayer]

Hi PeggyDay, yes i had the same problem in the initial stages. But over time I started to take Iron tablets [one a day] and started walking only (5K to 10K per day) - no running......and over the past year the condition hasn't got better but definately not got worse and now i caqn easily walk 10K a day without needed a kip in the afternoon. Hope this helps.

[LauraYu]

I too also don’t tolerate exercise, it made my symptoms worse, so I pretty much give up on exercise. Read gymbag’s comments above, I have to admit that he is right. Without proper medication, we are weak, and this is the bloody reality that we have to fight with. It’s an either-or situation, either PD knocks us down, or we fight for our chances by doing forced exercise. I choose the later. Gear up tomorrow and exercise!

[GymBag]

No response, come on Peggy , you can do this, it just takes some guts and determination and every one and anyone can do it, unless you wait too long.. You must fight it starting now. Do not let PD steal your life.

Look at your prescription , break the pills in half with a pill cutter and use the timing of the prescription on half dosage. Start slowly, if after a few days, you are not happier than call and discuss with your neurologist. He makes a nice living, make him earn his money. It will take time to get the dosage right and develop resistance and there are other medication alternatives at your stage 1 situation.

You have an opportunity to save yourself , don't tell me its hard. I know, but you are worth it.

[PeggyDay]

Thanks to all for your useful advice. I will start up with my exercising again today and check in with my neurologist.