Bit of light relief from all the serious posts. We're on holiday in Soustons on the French Atlantic coast. Day 4 and we have been for a 25km cycle ride, sailed a hobby catamaran, and played a 2 set tennis match. There's life in the old Parkie yet
And having recently had to have one of our German Shepherd's put down we are looking seriously at adopting a GS from Ukraine
Sounds lovely! Thank you for sharing such uplifting and inspiring experiences!
Good for you! Have fun and give that doggie pat on the head for me . 🥊
You do more with PD than I have ever done ever!
Good on you poo ! That’s very impressive and it makes me feel as though I need some motivation to get going! I used to be kind of sporty but it’s been so difficult in the past two years because I can’t move very well. I seem to have really bad off times more than half the day.
I guess I'm trying to make the most of it before my disease progresses too far. I got uncomfortable at one point on the catamaran , as my legs didn't like staying curled underneath me. What's interesting is how well (by my standards) I'm playing tennis. The last time I played was pre covid and whilst I was still unmedicated. I really struggled to put the tennis balls in my shorts pocket. And I couldn't hit a forehand to save my life. This week, on my "sweet spot" meds I have no tremor affecting trousering the balls, and I'm hitting just beautiful topspin forehand.
Carpe diem
Adopting a 'rescue' dog relieves PD symptoms by 87%.
Have fun.
That 87 figure is so specific, did you use a nanometer gauge to measure your symptoms 😂
Have to admit to just a wee bit of jealousy.
Good enough for me, I wish I was with you, all the blessings upon you.
PS, you can't be all bad if you love German Shepherds, had one as a child, there's no more loving dog, she's still with me in my soul...Woof.
Lovely to hear good news, may you have many more joyous days👍
Good for you Winnie, enjoy your holiday
Hey why not upload some pictures of the scenery for us to have a feel or maybe even get envious 😄
Just for you, Grumpy
WTP, you may already listen to this fella, but seeing your environment of blue skies and warmer air, reminded me of this and the benefits of light, worth a listen next time you are subathing 😉
youtube.com/watch?v=UF0nqol...
Thanks. I took a peek and will listen properly when I sunbathe later. I've just used a red light gadget to treat a cold sore.I also read your blog (where I could have discovered you are taking conventional meds and are a bit further along the journey than me.)
I am not yet aware of clear on and off periods (which may be because of using 24 hour agonists). And, honest guv, I usually find alcohol helps my condition. Certainly reducing tremor and restless leg.
As for skiing, due to covid and my participation in a Biogen clinical trial, that has mostly been unmedicated. Apart from the nuisance of trying to get my left ski glove through the pole straps after a lift, and a spooky balance issue in fog, I noticed I dragged my left pole in the snow.
In spite of that, I managed to teach my 57 years old wife with 5 knee operations, due a partial replacement next month, and afraid of speed and heights, from scratch to ski black runs (OK, one fairly short easy black in good snow)
Congratulations on getting back to squash. There's life in these Parkies yet 😃
Hi, a quick note re skiing- if your wife's knee struggles, this might help- I have one ( knew the guy who designed it)- great for helping you ski hard all day ( my knees are fine) but very useful if knees need a bit of helpthink there are reps in France
Thanks Mark. That looks like a serious bit of kit. Sue's surgery is booked for the 5th August and then she has 12 weeks physio booked. We are probably coming to the UK for Christmas so unlikely to ski December. I'll look into it properly for January
DM me if any questions
I am making sue sunbathe daily and have hidden her sunglasses 😂
When you get the new doggo, please post a photo of him/her.
It's been torture. We are constantly being reminded of Rommel. This fella was at the restaurant last night
Good on you Poobear! I never been too sporty by it sounds like my kind of heaven. Sea, sunshine and doggies...i still have my two old furries and ireland is not too bad this time of year so i keep on going for walkies as this is as much as i can afford. Enjoy!!!
The Atlantic beaches of Ireland are very beautiful, although not quite as warm as here.
Yes...and im a mediterranean fish. I prefer to swim in warm soup..🤣
Let the wind blow through your hair, the waves splash over you and feel the freedom! Enjoy!
Walk barefoot in the sand, Winnie! Good for EVERYTHING! Enjoy today, no one knows what tomorrow will bring. 
Great to hear thank youI played lots of squash pre covid but only once since- you are nudging me back on the court, although my biggest hurdle is actually me- I noticed my movement around the court dropped off ( to be expected) and I don't like playing to a lesser standard- maybe I should go back and just suck it up ...
I guess we all get slower as we get older even without PD. I get the impression you are not yet taking any conventional symptom relief medication. I'm not sure about speed around the court (I was acutely conscious I was picking balls up with the wrinklies racquet and side of shoe bounce instead of bending over to pick them up with my hand like I used to.
However, I am hitting the ball with control. Prior to moving to France, so maybe 8 or 9 years ago, 4 or 5 years pre-diagnosis, I picked up a glitch. I couldn't hit a forehand feed. In training drills I took to feeding the ball backhand. I could larrup a forehand shot, but couldn't just feed. I couldn't maintain a slow controlled movement. I would jab at the ball with a quick short stab.
In part it was psychological - and I had private coaching which helped. But it was very brittle
We moved to France and I didn't play for a couple of years, and when I did it was worse than ever. I resorted to backhand feeds but too often couldn't hit a forehand in play. I could hit the ball out of court, over the fencing, behind me.
And now, medicated easy slow controlled - perfect forehands I can land on a pocket hanky
Hi Winnie, thanks for your comments
I have been on the same dose of 150mg of Sinemet (or a similar brand- don't seem to have any difference if I go off-brand) 3 times a day since dx in Nov 2014.
Luckily I think the 18 odd yrs of playing 4/5 times a wk b4 dx and pretty regularly until Covid, has helped me slow progression. I defn noticed movement slowing- just getting to the ball a millisecond slower puts the ball on your racket slightly differently plus I noticed that if I played near a pending off period of the dose, then my left arm got heavier and as you know from your tennis, you actually use your non-racket hand/arm just as much to help address the ball as you swing
I am defn in the camp of exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness (I include yoga, Gi Gong, meditation, and a positive outlook in that pot) as great weapons in our battle to slow PD
This forum and many of the PwP like you have helped me add other components to my regime, plus meeting Michel0220 on a nutrition course ( who is now a gd friend )and co-running NSB has helped massively as we get to talk directly to such important Professionals in the world of PD as we set up the sessions.
And you will be pleased to hear that since my 1st comment on this thread I have set up a game of squash and also a tennis game so thanks
#ThereIsStilLifeInTheOldDog
Did you find a dog yet? How' the vacation going?
Vacation has been fabulous. Finding the dog - a bit more trying...
Enjoy! Now you have me wanting a dog again. I have always had Labs, after I put my chocolate lab down Owen. I realized I don't have the time anymore to devote to a dog. Recently I gave been wanting an Irish Wolf Hound, pipe dream.
Play Up and Play the Game (Bully off)
Who would want a Parkie as a Model
for all my very kind parkie pals
