Anyone been working out HARD for 10 years?

[RBDNoPDYet]

After reading Farooqji 's post on "High-intensity Exercise Can Reverse Neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease" I was thinking about how well this works over a long period of time...

Meaning, it looks like you can slow down your progression with this type of intense exercise, but have any of you been doing that for more than 10 years? Does it continue to work?

[Jebbie12]

I have had Parkinson’s for 16 years. I had already been an avid exerciser. So yes, I have been working out at a pretty high level all that time. I also had DBS. I am doing better than most and continue to have a full and happy life. I cycle, yoga, swim, HIIT, and walk. I’m starting to slow down a little, but I am getting older too! I will be 68 in June. Exercise! It’s great for you in so many ways

[Allyn]

Yes and yes! Have had Parkinson's for 13 years. I also was always an exerciser, although not every day and not necessarily high intensity. It took 5 months for me to get my first neurology appointment when I suspected Parkinson's - so in the mean time I read. Came across John Pepper's recommendation for "fast walking" along with recommendations for swimming, biking and singing! Today, most people respond with "you have Parkinson's??" I take mucuna and dopamine (2 - 3 tablets/day), but exercise works best!

[kaypeeoh]

I used to be a veterinarian. While treating a horse with colic she kicked me in the face, shattering my jaw. Too many fragments for surgical repair so the surgeon wired my jaw shut. Two months later, having lived on liquids, I was 60# lighter. Desperate to not regain all the lost weight I started jogging. Eventually ran a marathon: The 1985 Arbor Day race in Denver, Co. You always remember your first. I finished at 4:06. Since then I've lost count on the number of races I've done.

I developed phantosmia, smelling things that aren't real. Ultimately diagnosed with MS. And later diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. But I don't have the common symptoms associated with PD. I have tremor in my dominant arm but no slowness (bradykinesia), no freezing in place, no balance problems, all common to PD. I don't know whether daily exercise is why my condition is different than the usual. Could all be coincidental.

[Rufous2]

My spouse has RBD, present for at least 20 years. Has exercised regularly and vigorously for 40 years and has no motor symptoms yet, knock on wood.

[RBDNoPDYet in reply to Rufous2]

Wow, thank you for telling me this.

[Pdblogger]

Yes it works! It has been 11 years since diagnosed with PD, I started out just walking every at a moderate level. 2 years in, I discovered Pedaling for Parkinsons at my local YMCA and have been cycling twice a week for 9 years. I have not changed my C/L dose since 2019 when I lowered it from 5 times a day to 4! I am a firm believer that exercise is the best medication for PD.

[eschneid]

Yes, exercise as regularly as your schedule allows and push yourself. It's not solely a symptom delayer. Mentally, it gives you the confidence that you will keep the monster at bay and will be one of the few to slay it at some point.

I found upright cycling on a trainer, 80-90 rpm/30-40 minutes very useful over the years. Also, walking 2, 3, 4 miles at a speed where you're not having a nice conversation with someone. For me, it's been 14-14.5 minute miles. As you age, or weaken a bit, adjust things.

Look into Rock Steady Boxing if it's offered, many swear by it.

I still play basketball as I turn 65(not smart I know) & 17 years pd fun; although my orthostatic hypotension isn’t only when I stand up at the moment. It just started affecting me when I go up stairs and moving on the court. Looking for the usual culprits, such as a new supplement or change in generic manufacturers. I found one of each and changed/stopped them. Keeping fingers crossed.

Sorry long here, but couldn't sleep... Bottom line: whatever exercises you do, push & believe you will make/be the difference....

Eric