Does this sound familiar: Walking and not... - Cure Parkinson's

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Does this sound familiar

Boyce3600 profile image
16 Replies

Walking and not being able to figure out how to move arms, but then breaking into a jog and they swing normally.

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Boyce3600 profile image
Boyce3600
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16 Replies

that was you ?

paulalex1313 profile image
paulalex1313

My wife also does not swing her right arm at all. She would not jog, although she is very active through yoga, Zumba, Parkinson's Dance, Tai Chi and walking. However, we both started Nordic Walking recently, which requires both arm to swing, or more accurately, to be worked using the poles. It is great exercise and once we have the technique sorted is possib,y the best way of getting immobile arms to swing. It is very good exercise for the whole body.

satwar profile image
satwar

I think I have a similar observation. When I walk around the house I tend to shuffle my feet, but when I go for my brisk walk, my gait becomes very normal and my arms swing freely. When I first started brisk walking my right arm did not move very much at all.

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper

Yes. I believe that subconsciously controlled movements are affected by Pd, and if the running is not affected then it can be normal.

batwing profile image
batwing

Yes I know this feature of pd. You are feeling you cannot move and have to will yourself to break free. Once you initiate a move you can often be surprised by what can be done. You can visualise too.

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi

The classic sign of PD, no arm swing on the affected side. Mine swings when medicated and doesn't when unmedicated.

As to running but not being able to walk, yes it's a known phenomena, an odd situation, this video below is of a man who can't walk but can ride a bike. It's by Bas Bloem.

Dr Olkun of Florida writes "One thing I have personally learned over many years of caring for persons with Parkinson’s disease is that when they tell you something, even if it sounds improbable, it is likely true. Bloem and colleagues did the right thing by following up this special case, and by documenting its occurrence by direct observation. Their report follows in the wake of another observation by Dr. Jay Alberts who demonstrated that tandem biking and forced exercise may be beneficial in Parkinson’s disease. Albert’s observation was made while tandem biking with a Parkinson’s disease patient in the back seat- all the way across the state of Iowa. As a trainee I witnessed a Parkinsonian woman who could not walk, but could dance-- for hours. How many more of these cases are out there? Can these observations be extended to help others? We hope the answer is yes. "

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi in reply to Hikoi

youtu.be/aaY3gz5tJSk

grower profile image
grower in reply to Hikoi

That was a really interesting video, the mind certainly is a wonder. One thing that came to mind on your quote above by Albert on forced exercise seems logical and yet we read that the exercise you choose should be one that you enjoy for best effect? ]

I'm glad to read that your arm swing is normal when medicated and yet frustrated for myself. Am taking sinemet 3xday and it seems to have dealt with a slight tremor I have in my left hand but I feel no help with arm swing or the bradykenesia which effects my work. My dr doesn't recommend me increasing the dose since my symptoms aren't that bad, said I shouldn't increase until I start feeling "off" periods. On one hand I don't want to increase either as I often have hot flushes when I take the pill as it is but the positive effect they give me is so minor I hardly think I'd notice if it wore off.

Anyway, didn't mean to talk about myself.

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi in reply to grower

Grower

Sounds like you are stiffness rather than tremor dominant, do you think so? I notice that it's difficult to get rid of the bradykenesia if you are a stiffy. Are you on any agonist? That could be an addition to your meds instead of a l/c increase.

Some people stick to only l/c but many others have a combination which I find is a good approach. No Azilect available but there is selegiline here, not popular here but it is good I find - wakes me up in the morning :) that little bit of amphetamine .

grower profile image
grower in reply to Hikoi

You're so onto it, I am a stiffy indeed. I"m on selegeline, it seems the US lot take Azilect instead? I dont' really feel anything from it either :/ Never mind, at least I'm sleeping better now and it's all ok unless I think about the future.

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi in reply to grower

You may know. this - Selegiline shouldn't be taken after about midway becausse. It can interfere with sleep .

Azilect is/ was exspensive so not approveeed By phaarmac

grower profile image
grower in reply to Hikoi

Oh, i figured as much on the expense thing. I take selegeline in the morning, didn't realise why but now do. Appreciate your knowledge, nice to know you. Cheers

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi in reply to grower

....and best take with sinimet or even better with food as it is fat soluble

... Selegiline (SEL) has a low oral bioavailability, which increases to moderate when ingested together with a high-fat meal, the molecule being fat soluble. Selegiline oral bioavailability is drastically increased in females taking oral contraceptives (10-to 20-fold) !

grower profile image
grower in reply to Hikoi

Good thing I'm far from being a young female taking contraceptives! I take it with the sinemet and breakfast, seems to be easier on my stomach (the sinemet)

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi in reply to grower

I thought. The contaceptve info added a touuchof intrigue so left t in :).

Hi to Jane of astrolab if u know her)

grower profile image
grower in reply to Hikoi

my wife used to do pilates with her, I think her wrists weren't good? I don't know her myself. Small world

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