My dad has PD (he’s 82 now) - he has been diagnosed for about five years but had symptoms going back about two decades. It is having a pretty devastating impact on his quality of life. I try to encourage him to exercise - he was always a very fit, sporty man - but his balance is so poor now that I am terrified of him falling, and many days he is simply sapped of all energy. I’m very conscious that so many of you say that exercise is key to feeling better - has anybody found ways to work around the issues with balance and fatigue.
(He does go to special exercise classes twice a week, but I want him to be able to exercise safely every day).
I’d be grateful for any tips.
Sarah
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SarahHes
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An indoor rowing machine seems like a decent choice.
He's sat a foot off the ground. Fabulous aerobic exercise. Will help retain muscle mass/ strength in the lower and upper body.
No expert on the fatigue issue. I'm guessing it's a case of finding that exercise sweet spot - duration and intensity - that will tend to energise him rather than exacerbate the fatigue.
I use a weighted shoulder wrap for balance and passive exercise. An under desk pedal exerciser and wrist weights are handy for me and gets my blood and fluids moving and warms me up , stairs and just walking are good.
otvest.com is an informative site for movement disorder people and many others on Amazon etc. I find that if it's part of me I'll do it otherwise I don't.
Thanks - he is still on a low dose of Sinemet (Co-Careldopa) supplemented with a booster of Madopar (Co-Beneldopa) ‘as required’. But because his autonomic system is badly affected, his blood pressure has a tendency to drop very low, which means his consultant is reluctant to increase his dosage. It is frustrating, because I am sure a higher dose of Sinemet could make a huge difference - but it’s seemingly not an option.
Blood pressure low, and autonomic system not working properly - sounds like you are referring to orthostatic hypotension - loss of blood pressure upon standing. Is that the case? If so I can share some important information for treating it.
If that is going on that would be a cause of both fatigue and balance issues.
Orthostatic hypotension is a problem, but I think that post-prandial hypotension is an even bigger one. He takes midodrine (and something else, I think), and has had all the advice about water, salt etc - but even so, his (frequent) episodes of crippling fatigue often coincide with low BP.
I’m in the same boat as your dad. I’ve had PD for three years and my energy and interest level have fallen off significantly. It’s Depressing to not have the desire or energy to exercise which is everybodys recommendation. It’s a. Frustrating dilemma.
Exercise does help if you can GUT it out through the stiffness and Low interest and low energy! Very challenging; but worth it.
If he can find a close buddy to share the grind that helps I’ve recently increased my depression med as a sort of guess at getting more motivation Sleep is critical and hard to get but being physically tired however you achieve that helps with sleep efforts! No more meds, I’m on enough! Hope this helps Pop
I have wondered if Dad would benefit from an antidepressant, as he sometimes seems so ver low (understandably). But I worry that they can make you feel worse before you feel better, and that would be disastrous….
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