what exercises have people used to increase their stamina?

[Fatherof5]

part of my exercise regime is to run 2-3 times/week. One of my more depressing symptoms (and there are many) is my inability to run more than 2 miles at a time (prior to diagnosis I have run half marathons). My body/muscles feel depleted so quickly now, on really bad days using the push mower to cut the grass requires multiple breaks. I currently stretch every morning and go to the gym 2-3 times/week and has increased my overall flexibility and generally maintained my strength. Is there anything anyone done to deal with this or should I console myself to my situation being what it is and be thankful for what I can currently accomplish?

[laglag]

You could try Rock Steady Boxing if you have one near you. It is non-contact boxing. We do most every exercise there is plus more.

rocksteadyboxing.org

I've been working out with them since Jan 2007. 🥊

[Fatherof5 in reply to laglag]

thanks, I will look into that. I believe there is a gym here in town that offers that

[SGlass in reply to laglag]

I second on Rock Steady. Helps in all aspects and aerobic part helps with endurance. Social part doesn’t hurt either.

[Godiv]

Do you think it might be worth asking your doctor about it? I have the same thing and I still don’t have great stamina … But now I can take an extra Sinemet and that helps. Because otherwise I’m just crushed. It’s not ideal but it helps a little bit anyway and maybe your doctor would be OK with you taking more. I take it before I exercise and it does seem to help the instant dopamine depletion. However, I have not exercised at the level you have, but it might be worth checking into.

[kaypeeoh]

In the distant past I ran marathons and ultras from 50 to 100 miles. But then PD struck. Now I have little stamina. I wonder if it's because I've gained 35 pounds. In the distant past I kept my weight at 165# by running every day. Last check with the bathroom scale has me at 205# . I need to figure out a weight loss protocol to see whether I can lose weight and regain some stamina.

[Fatherof5 in reply to kaypeeoh]

I would be happy to trade, I have lost 20 lbs (was 135-140lbs when this all began) mainly due to stress and depression which results in not feeling like eating

[kaypeeoh in reply to Fatherof5]

When I got the diagnosis I went to Dr Google. He said one of the signs is weight loss. I thought, 'cool!' but it hasn't happened. I still eat like I'm running 50 miles per week but my energy level is so low I don't burn off any calories.

[Isotope in reply to Fatherof5]

I take an anti depressant to help with the stress and keep me calm. It also helps me sleep like a baby at night….

[SGlass in reply to Isotope]

If you don’t mind sharing which antidepressant has helped you?

[Isotope in reply to SGlass]

Mirtazapine

[kaypeeoh in reply to Isotope]

I take Duloxetine.

[Fatherof5 in reply to SGlass]

bupropion is what prescribed for and it has helped alot

[Fatherof5 in reply to Fatherof5]

sorry for the poor grammar, I am typing on my phone

[LAJ12345 in reply to SGlass]

Be careful with mirtazapine, to me it seems the PD in my husband was brought on by it as it made him apathetic and sleepy all day. It was extremely difficult to get off it again for him too. Read all the on line warnings about it from people trying to quit it. I would only give it to very elderly or dementia patients as a sedative where they had no possibility of exercising or living a normal life.

[Isotope in reply to LAJ12345]

I take half a tablet only 7.5mg and so far all good. My friend has been on it for a few years and also finds it very helpful (same dose)… I suppose it’s like most things in life some people are more sensitive than others or some people have adverse side effects whist others don’t ….. for me it’s magic

[DachshundFan in reply to kaypeeoh]

Hello Kaypeeoh:

This might not be related to exercise. Was one of the drugs you were taking Mirapex of the generic version Pramipexole?

My doctor started me on Sinamet and Mirapex. My tremor was reduced and I gained thirty pounds over the next three months. This was bad. It meant buying new clothes. I say my doctor and we agreed to drop the Mirapex. In another three months I gave back 40 points and felt reaaly good. It is a lot more enjoyable to have to buy new clothes because your old ones are too big and still dropping when the belt is on the tightest setting.

By this time in my PD journey was was working out, walking, and trying to eat better.

PD is different for everyone good luck.

[kaypeeoh in reply to DachshundFan]

I think the weight gain is from depression. Before the PD Dx for 35 years I ran a successful veterinary practice in Sweetwater county, Wyoming. After the Dx I had to sell the practice. Then sold my home of 35 years and had to move 1000 miles. Now I'm in Connecticut. I miss Wyoming. I miss the high desert. But there are no neurologists is Sweetwater. I had to drive 3 hours to Salt Lake City for every appointment. Now I'm ten minutes from the neuro. Which is why I'm here and not still in Wyoming. So I have to be here but I don't want to be here. Hence the weight gain.

[Ghmac in reply to kaypeeoh]

Would you recommend your neuro? We are outside of Boise, and have not had much luck here.

[kaypeeoh in reply to Ghmac]

He's Dr Paz-Soldan in Salt Lake City. Not sure but I think he was associated with the U of U. Good Luck,

kevin

PS, if you connect with him I'd like to know. I'm not happy here and wonder if I could return to Utah.

[kaypeeoh in reply to kaypeeoh]

Dr. Miguel M. Paz Soldan

MD

(5/5)Patient Experience Rating

Neurology

General Neurology

Salt Lake City, UT

Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital-University of Utah + 1 affiliated hospital

729 S Arapeen Dr, Salt Lake City, UT

[rebtar]

you might want to look into breathing exercises that can increase the oxygenation of your blood. I really don't know if it will help, but maybe? I'm reading the oxygen advantage by Patrick McKeown. mostly about nose breathing day and night (mouth taping), and learning to lower volume of breath in order to increase CO2 which increases oxygen absorption into the blood.

I'm not a runner or athlete, but trying to get back to a higher level of exercise (pandemic interrupted my gym program, and I'm not so good at organizing myself so exercise dropped off. Then sciatica. Then a fall and broken arm that required surgery. Then I got Covid. Yes, it's been quite a year...).

[Fatherof5 in reply to rebtar]

thanks, I will look into that. I have tried some Wim Hoff exercises but I have not been consistent at them. Perhaps I should revisit

[Cutie2001 in reply to rebtar]

May I ask what you’re doing for your sciatica? I have sciatica and spinal stenosis and the pain is unbearable. Thanks

[Fatherof5 in reply to Cutie2001]

I currently do not have any issues with my sciatica. I did hurt my back while in college (nothing to do with PD) which resulted in some serious sciatica issues but I have been able resolve it by stretching

[rebtar in reply to Cutie2001]

Yes, I was also diagnosed with stenosis.

have you worked with a physical therapist?

I started with the McGill method exercises. He had a book that you can get with a cd, Back Mechanic, to learn them. That helped me a lot.

I still do them plus some other exercises the physical therapist gave me.

I still get twinges and some toe numbness but not too much,

[Cutie2001 in reply to rebtar]

Two years ago before I was dx with PD, I worked with PT for my stenosis. After I was dx with PD, I’ve been doing the LSVT Big exercise program designed for PD. My problem is I have pain in my ankles, and my legs, up to my lower back every day. My legs are weak and I can’t walk or stand for a long period of time. TIA

[rebtar in reply to Cutie2001]

I’m so sorry. I have nothing else to suggest. I hope you find some relief.

[glenandgerry in reply to Cutie2001]

That is the same as my HWP ☹️

[Boscoejean]

Strength training

Strength training involves using your body weight or other tools to build muscle mass and strength. Strength training two days per week, starting with low repetition and weight, may be beneficial in Parkinson’s disease. A focus on extensor muscles, or muscles in the back of the body, can help with posture.

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

[Fatherof5 in reply to Boscoejean]

I will check out the link you provided, thanks!

[jeffmayer]

have you tried cycling

[Fatherof5 in reply to jeffmayer]

I cycled a lot when I was younger but stopped after I got married and had kids. Now that they are older they are encouraging my to take it up again

[jeffmayer in reply to Fatherof5]

you should try it keeps the demons at bay all the best

[HekateMoon]

uing drumming to dance or walk helps my mind and body follows

[GregSurfs]

hi fatherof5. A few things that have helped me a great deal: check your protein intake. I won't get iñto how much bút loók oñline and specifically for animal based prótein such as grass feed beef. Get your hormones checked . You may be low on testosterone. Lastly, resistance training. Lift heavy weights. Get guidance if necessary. Sorry to be very brief ( im doing this on my crappy phone) but these three things have been instrumental in in my maintaining of muscle mass and energy. The best of luck to you

[Fatherof5 in reply to GregSurfs]

thanks for the advice. I did have blood work done about a year ago and my testosterone levels were ok. Regarding diet we eat organic and are able to acquire grass fed beef from friends, we also used to raise lambs for our own consumption but I never paid attention to the amount of protein I have been eating. My exercise regimen is improving in the sense that I am beginning to focus more on certain muscle groups rather than the random work outs I have been doing, it helps that my daughter is an exercise and sports science major who also runs triathlons. She has just begun working out with me so maybe I need to be patient and the results will come.

[LAJ12345 in reply to GregSurfs]

sorry are you suggesting vegetarian protein is better or vice versa? Please do get into it here, we are interested in all information. Thanks!

[Batmanbrian]

I play pickleball. It's fun, addicting, and very beneficial!

[LAJ12345]

You could try rhodiola rosea. Also try Hardys daily essential nutrients with added vitamers to make sure you have all the vitamins minerals and trace elements you need.

Or if you can afford it try ultrabrain from energy blue print. And go to Ari Whittens’ website energyblueprint.com . He is one of the worlds leading natural medicine guru on energy and mitochondrial disfunction. He goes through all of the ingredients in ultrabrain which includes rhodiola and explains the science between each one providing scientific papers on each one.

I don’t have PD but I have trialled ultrabrain to see if it makes me less tired and on the days I take it and I’ve only trialled it at half the dose as it is quite expensive.

He has energenesis which I tried and is also recommended for energy but it comes in a powder and the taste is so disgusting I struggle to take it.

Ps today I just got a link to their new product Longenesis

store.theenergyblueprint.co...

[kaypeeoh in reply to LAJ12345]

Like all internet ads Longenesis is painted as the latest, greatest gift to Man. But with over 100 references it would take a lot of reading time before I'd be ready to spend $100 for a month's supply. Is Ari connected to the product? I read his book on red light therapy; Very well researched. For now I'm trying a ketogenic diet. My 10th attempt. When that fails maybe I'll try Longenesis.

[LAJ12345 in reply to kaypeeoh]

yes he now has quite a few of these. He always puts lots of papers up to back up research and he reckons there are therapeutic doses in his products unlike others where there is barely any. It’s expensive especially the postage to New Zealand. I do like the ultrabrain one as it has so many things in it , all look useful. It’s definitely easier to order and take a product with many things in it instead of taking lots of different things from different sources.

I do find him genuine and trustworthy compared with other sellers and have listed to hours of his podcasts albeit on 1.5x speed!

[PDGal4]

I would have B12 levels checked -- simple blood test.