I'm 51 and am struggling to work my 8 hrs a day. I supervise people so it's not hard, other then ensuring things are done as per specification. When the days over its hard to do anything. Do I really push myself through exercise, will it get easier? Today I rode the olipticale for just five minutes, it was hard. How can I let my wife and kids down?
Will it get better if I push myself to exercise?
Casper, How about making some adjustments? For instance, is there any chance you could negotiate for a shorter work week? Either 6 hours a day or four days a week? And would a walk, say, at lunchtime, be more realistic for you than working out after putting in a full day? I think the best gift you can give your family is to let them know how you're feeling and how much you appreciate their support. In all likelihood, they want to know what they can do for you.
In the U.S., we have the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires employers to make whatever accommodations are necessary for people with physical obstacles, including chronic illnesses. Is there anything comparable in the U.K.?
I definitely feel better when I've exercised, but some days it's all I can do to just do some tai chi movements with a youtube video for 8 or 10 minutes.
I would definitely talk this problem over with your doc -- you may need a tweak of your medications.
Good luck and let us know how you fare.
It is so very difficult to advise you. There is so much difference between one Parky and another. First you should explain the situation to a Neurologist preferably a Movement disorder specialist and double check that you are taking enough medication. Often the doctors will try to minimize the amount that a young person is taking to give you more room to increase in later years. You are probably under medicated and your doctor may not realize the trouble that is causing. (by the time you are old like me you will probably have had stem cell surgery so I say take the meds. now)
Many will tell you the wonderful things that extreme exercise does for them (lucky them ) it may or may not work for you, if it does not work then it is not your fault but do moderate exercise when you can. You have to try but extreme exercise is not done every day. A man named John Pepper may be along here shortly to further advise you. He is giving lectures in Great Britain right now and may be delayed. Be careful , exhaustion can knock you over and can take days to recover.
We do not know your employer or your situation so you must make the decision weather to tell them you have PD or not. I tend to lean on the tell them side, my employer helped me. They can not help you if they do not know. Medication, rest, exercise, diet, all in that order of priority.
Let us know how you are making out. There are many , many people here who will help you. Please advise where you are, USA, Canada, Great Britain etc. so that people can advise you what assistance is available to you. ( There is financial help from govt. tax breaks and free clinics, including exercise sessions etc. )
I also suggest that you contact the Parkinson s society and attend the local PD support group meetings. There may be a "PD Early Onset" Group near you. You will not enjoy seeing how PD has effected the older Parkies but they can and will give you much needed advise and help you avoid mistakes they made. Do not try and handle this alone, there is help available.
You will need to understand all the non motor effects of PD and the meds. monitor, reevaluate, prioritize and plan but you will be ok. You will do the best you can and your family will learn that they need to lower their expectations of what they can get from you and how a family works together. long answer, and I may have just restated what Becky said.
Good luck
Be happy
Exercise is good for most. For me exercise is great. May I suggest when selecting what exercise to do, make it fun. Do not do exercises you do not enjoy. Think of everything you do as exercise. Take it slow and easy until your brain gets used to exercise. Tell yourself "every day in every way I am getting better & better". I like you was diagnosed at 50. I am now 63 and I am better now than when I was 51. Good Doctors and positive attitude. I learned that I needed and do take movements out of my sub conscious and into my conscious mind. ie; Sometimes I have tell myself to walk or I am not able to walk normal. PD can be a mind game that you can win.
Good health to you!
Yes. Exercise will add hours to your day and energy plus faith in yourself.
Could you possibly be dealing with apathy or depression? Let your doctor know of your struggles.
I'm now walking on the treadmill three times a week 45 minutes every other day and it seems real difficult when I start yet I still finish each time. I believe it helps although mowing several times a week seems to be the most beneficial especially using the weed-eater and edger.
This is my first time replying on this thread. My husband was diagnosed with PD in 2010, at age 73, but I believe it was "sneaking" up on him for a long while before that. He is a very hard worker and always did office and mental work before retiring. When we came to our retirement village he needed to work for monetary reasons and got hired by the community for the maintenance and then custodial departments. After that he became involved with gardening work helping our neighbors. It turns out that this was a life saver for him. When the doctors found out that he was doing physical labor they were deliriously happy. It makes all the difference for him, even though he gets very tired some times. We have great doctors and the meds, of course help tremendously. I worry about his rest, but have to leave it up to him...he hates when I "fuss". God bless him, he is a trooper...so, I would say meds, physical movement, good doctors, and a positive outlook is key. When your family is concerned for you, be honest with them....they will let you be yourself and will help when needed. I love all the positive answers I read today.
you can do more
push your self a little more each week to keep ahead you must always be advancing
crossfit is great it pushes you more and more
vary your exercise
My number one goal in exercise was "do not injure self". Number two goal is to push as hard as possible without violating goal one.
This is from many years of chronic pain from injuries. The interesting thing is a lot of my pains (which started in my teens and early 20's) disappeared when I started the PD meds (at about 50). I mentioned that to my doctor and he said they have found that to be very common.
The only way to get exercise done is to make it enjoyable, or at least a non-painful daily routine. The time spent exercising save more time than is lost by giving you more energy the rest of the time and helping you to think more clearly. Walking and (friendly) talking more at work can be as beneficial. If your employees are doing a lot of physical labor, then maybe offer to switch jobs with one of them. Seriously. At least help them whenever you can. Any excuse to move about. I am an electrical engineer but I would not dream of getting a desk job if I go back to work. That would only mean my children would lose their father a lot quicker. I want to paint houses and mow grass with a push mower because I see how much happier I am and in less pain when I move around all day.
Parkinson's effects each of us differently. Exercise is a wonderful way to help slow down Parkinson's, it also helps to release stress. So it is not so boring, when you get home from work, put the music on and dance with your wife and act crazy dancing with your kids. Play and enjoy, as long as you are moving your body, it really can be happy times with your family. Exercise really helps me and I do crazy things like the twist and the grape vine and just try to do what is fun and not a job.
Remember each day that passes is gone so enjoy life with your family by being active.
It is free and what memories you are making.
The one thing I must say about this forum is there are good people, sound advice. It makes me feel good.
I'm gonna try and exercise a little and try to maintain a positive attitude, I find I have bad days, bad moments and some times I even have a Good hour.
I'm also going to attend a parkinsons group for young onset parkies.
I'm from Edmonton Alberta Canada
Thank you very much for the replies, it's nice to hear from other people going through similar experiences
yes get as much exercise as you can but it needs to be something you enjoy
if there is a crossfit box (gym) contact them they love to help people to achieve their goals they will adjust the work out to your level it is in a group format they saved my life
i am 62 and am 9 years with pd
i work out 6 days a week and love it
call today dont wait your life depends on it
i can work 10 hours a day plus work out and am almost never tired
get the right meds and exercise
you can master pd
just do it
I can say sitting still is the most detrimental thing I can do for my body and mind. When physically active my off time is about 1/2 compared to inactive days. The off time is reduced to the point where I can comfortably rest and do sitting activities (make calls, etc and better manage my time instead of letting the time manage me). The best days are the ones where I am outside physically active doing yardwork, etc.
When i exercise i don't have pd i forget about it
that's what makes it great
Night time medication
Madopar and HDT times 
Night time awake: extra doses?
Sharing my experience of having the flu with Parkinson's...
