Yorkshire Parky

[m-h1]

Hullo there I'm Martin from Halifax Yorkshire England.

Diagnosed with PD 18 months ago. I'm finding it hard to adjust to my restricted life style.

I have been active all my life running my own flooring business,employing people, enjoying a decent StandarStandard of living.always having sufficient but not too much money.

Now I live on state hand outs .I hate it.

[Beckey]

Me and you both, brother. The change in income has been the hardest thing! Lately I'm wondering if maybe I can still work, just so long as it's not too many hours, and with a little less responsibility. Could that be true for you, too? 

I tell you one thing, though, since I stopped working, I have more time to exercise, and exercise is hands down the best medicine for us.

[Beckey in reply to Beckey]

p.s. I don't think it matters what kind of exercise it is as long as you're consistent. My neuro told me in my first appointment that exercise is the one thing that can put the brakes on the progression of PD.

[grower]

Hey, that's what the state handouts are for. Just like insurance that you've been paying into all that time. I'm sure you'll find other ways of giving to the community. Go well. 

[Bailey_Texas]

why are you restricted life style,  18 months is a not very long. Have you started meds.

i am in my 10th year and going strong i am 62.  Are you talking about money restrictions or Parkinson's restrictions

They are not handouts just getting your money back.

They where just holding it for you.

[m-h1 in reply to Bailey_Texas]

Cheers Bailey No I can't work. I get tired just walking the dog Its now 1:30 pm here . I've been to the shops had some lunch and now I'm cream crackered so I'm going to bed for a couple of hours.

I have worked seven days a week up to a couple of years ago.

What's happened to me in the last few years? 

Regards Martin 

[Bailey_Texas in reply to m-h1]

Thanks for your reply.

I believe along with a lot of other folks is that exercise is key to holding back Parkinson's I work out doing Crossfit and along with Meds it has given me my life back . I was like you 15 months ago now i go 14 hours a day doing work around the house and what ever else i can get into.You don't have  to have a restricted life you can't win the war but you can win a few battles and  PD from advancing. It takes hard work and dedication but in less than a year you could see major improvement. There is no magic pill.

I did it so can you

[m-h1 in reply to Bailey_Texas]

Hi Bailey Thanks for that.whats cross Fit? That hasn't reached little oil' England yet.

I'm involved with the local Church as a Church Wardenso that keeps me quite busy; but I can't do as much as I used to there , like climbing ladders to change light bulbs etc. I have to delegate work like that now. I just organise events.

I am also involved with Parkinson's UK and help out there. 

We are thinking of moving to a smaller place with less or no garden. I have loved gardening all my life. Shame .

Anyway were better off than a lot of people.

Regards Martin H

[Bailey_Texas in reply to m-h1]

blackopshalifax.co.uk/membe... 

this is a web site for a Crossfit gym near you if it does not work there are several more near you. They welcome people of all fitness levels and make the workout of the day (WOD) fit you. I have seen a 100 year old man doing Crossfit 

Give them a try you will not regret it

Bailey

[m-h1 in reply to Bailey_Texas]

Aye up Bailey

Thank you for your help and advice.

Hopefully we will speak again .

God Bless you and yours

Martin

[Bailey_Texas in reply to m-h1]

great to see you here post again

i always like to see new people here 

[m-h1 in reply to Bailey_Texas]

Yeah Bailey

It's a wonderful site but I'm going out now for the evening.

Speak again soon 

Martin

[Beckey in reply to m-h1]

If you find getting out in the fresh air and sunshine and working in your garden to be revitalizing and therapeutic, and it sounds like you do, don't be too willing to do without. on that move! I'm in a very urban area, but I have a garden on the roof, and I grow beans, lemons, strawberries, flowers, tomatoes, lettuce and chard. For me, it's a morale charger to be sure. When I come in at the end of the day I feel great, even if my back is complaining.

[Christin313 in reply to Beckey]

Container gardening and a raised bed was what my father and I did.  I'm ready to plant seeds and cabbage plants in them this weekend.  

I like not having to stoop to access a higher bed, and containers can be placed or moved.  Much easier than a traditional garden!

[Beckey in reply to Christin313]

I'd love to have containers I didn't have to bend over to reach! Do you have any pics? I must admit my back is killing me after planting.

[stevie3 in reply to Beckey]

In summer, I grow lettuce, tomatoes and spring onions in all sorts of funny things - I have a flourishing herb garden in two old wheelbarrows. Little bending and very therapeutic. Martin - there are other ways to enjoy gardening! We must keep our pleasures alive and coming home and picking my supper from the garden gives me such a sense if acomplishment! 

[Beckey in reply to stevie3]

Me  too! Watching the things I planted grow is a real upper! My morale shot right up when I started two years ago. I started  growing flowers too so as to attract bees.

[Christin313 in reply to Beckey]

Beckey, I don't have photos of mine, but there are some online.  They are fabric pots, and are in various sizes and sold under different brand names (such as 'grow bags').  They are lightweight and allow the roots to remain cooler than plastic or stone planters.  

I have grown tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers in them.  Largest one I have holds seven gallons.  

[Christin313 in reply to Christin313]

Forgot to mention, I just ordered potato bags to attempt growing potatoes above ground.  The bags have a Velcro opening that allows harvesting the potatoes from the lower part of the deep bag at season's end.

[Beckey in reply to Christin313]

Wow, that sure would make for a much easier trip up the stairs!

[m-h1]

Hey Beckey thanks for your kind comments.

In my part of the world the Parkinsons nurse tells you to report the P D to driving authorities. They took my licence strait away after driving sinc 1968. 

Of course this stopped me working because I had to drive every day.

Also I used to travel all over the North of England entertaining residents in care homes. I can still play keyboard which gives me great pleasure.

My wife who is my carer has a car so we can still get around. 

They've given me a free bus pass. Yippee. 

I don't miss the expense of running a car.. There are good things and bad things.

and of course I'm never chosen for designated driver when we go out ..

Regards Martin H...

[stevie3 in reply to m-h1]

That's a shame about your driving Martin. I was very worried too, when I had to report my PD to the driving authorities but my experience was different. I filled in a form and they didn't take away my licence - they wrote to my neuro and asked for his opinion. Presumably his opinion was that I was ok to drive because they issued me with a licence for three years, at which time they will reconsider the position. I do feel safe driving at the moment, and I drive for my work so I hope that continues. I'm always the designated driver because I don't drink alcohol!

[m-h1 in reply to stevie3]

Thanks for the reply Stevi 3.

There were other issues regarding my cognitive behaviour which swung it the wrong way for me .ie not aware etc.

L suppose that it's a relief, the state of the roads nowadays. 

I don't think that I could respond quick enough especially on the motorway. A good thing really for the travelling public.

Keep on doing it ..Good luck. 

Martin.

[stevie3 in reply to m-h1]

Thanks for that Martin. It sounded like they just took your licence away, but presumably you or your medical team gave them that information? I'm aware that the day may come when I am no longer safe so I'm using the next couple of years to make a few adjustments so that if it happens, it won't be a complete disaster, although it would be a pain!

[m-h1 in reply to stevie3]

Yeah it is a pain at first, but on reflection I wouldn't want to have an accident and hurt or even kill somebody. There are some days I feel I could drive but with my track record I E.setting the carpet on fire with incense stick, leaving pans to boil dry and forgetting to lock or even close doors.

The worst incident a most funniest was when I was trying to pay for a pint at Weatherspoons with my bus pass instead of my debit card..

Would you trust me to drive? 

Ha ha .. Martin.

[stevie3 in reply to m-h1]

Well no...but I'd buy you a pint!

[m-h1 in reply to stevie3]

Cheers

[Beckey in reply to m-h1]

Ha ha ha ha! Martin that is pretty funny I must say.

[m-h1 in reply to Beckey]

Hi Beckey

Al my Parkinsons experience fluctuates from sheer hell, desperation to out and out hilarity. 

I don't linger on the bad times but here is another one of the funny incidents.

My wife and me ( sounds like prince Philip and the Queen). Well we were in the supermarket .It was when I was having my medical induced hallucinations. 

Just after the baked beans and before the sauces of the world Suddenly I dropped to the floor. I was convinced that a great black crow was flying over my head.

Everybody rushed to help but my wife sidled off embarrassed, when I got up the onlookers thought that I was trying for injury compensation from Asda. We haven't been in there since.

Martin.

[Beckey in reply to m-h1]

Oh, Martin, I'm howling over here because I know just how you feel. Next time that happens, you can baffle onlookers by shouting, "Get that damn bird out of here before it kills somebody!" They'll make a beeline out the door and you'll have the whole store to yourself -- beans, sauces and everything else.

[Peaches]

Welcome to this site, Martin.  I enjoyed reading what you had to say and also the comments back to you.  There are some very friendly and caring folks on here.  It has helped me a lot to be a part of it.  About the gardening...do not give it up yet.  Just gear back a little.  Gardening is good for the soul and a must for eating healthy.  Exercise is very important too, as the other comments have said.  Hang in there....some days are worse than others with this disease but it surely is nice to know that we are all in it together and that we "get" what our friends and families do not really understand.  Hope to hear your comments often.  Peaches 

[m-h1]

Hi all of you out there. 

Thanks for welcoming me to the site. 

It's good to know I'm not on my own. 

Peaches I have been reading some of your past messages. 

The one about slow to make decisions. 

I'm just like that Icant be rushed or I panic and can't decide on anything. 

God Bless you all.  Martin. 

[Alistairs]

HI Martin

I am Alistair from Matlock Derbyshire.

Had Mr Parkinson for 7 years now. I always relish a challenge and by god this is the ulimate test of endurance, perservance, bravery, dedication, and the will to live with Mr Parkinson.

He takes no prisoners and in the moments of despair digging deep and carrying on.

I sleep little now so I write  books sometimes one finger for all that works, invent recipes for a new business started 4 years ago with my son. I felt is extremely hard to carry on , but I do .

Martin, look him in the eye and say ' You will not get in my way ' No surrender!

It's tough, but as you say there are people much worse off.

Regards 

Alistair

[Alistairs]

Martin

I feel such empathy for you. I am relatively lucky as although rigidity is my main symptom, I shake very slightly when tired, so I can still walk and work. The biggest thing us to take naps regularly during the day  10 minutes with eyes shut sometimes does the trick after taking my simenet. 

I am on patches as all the other agonists made me very sleepy. They work well with the simenet.  I am going to try some Zandopa. 

Keep your chin up Martin   There is loads of us in the same boat.

Regards 

Alistair.

[m-h1]

Hullo Alistair

It's 5 am just woke up after about an hours fitful sleep. Went to the kitchen for a cup of tea,dropped my spoon then couldn't get up afterwards. Had to shout my wife to help me back to bed.

Thanks for your messages.

I'll write again when I feel better. 

Regards Martin.