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David Blacker replied to the topic Have you found that going to the gym increases your energy? in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 3 months, 1 week ago
I agree 100% with the positive comments about exercise, and the suggestion it “boosts energy levels”.
Much more needs to be learnt about the science behind using exercise as a therapy for neurological disorders so we can optimize it’s use and possibly harness its benefits for those who cannot exercise ( eg more advanced PD, immobile stroke patie…[Read more]
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David Blacker replied to the topic Are you interested in sharing your story? in the forum Living With Parkinson's Disease 10 months, 2 weeks ago
I’d be happy to share my story, in fact I feel almost obliged to do this, as a neurologist who has PD
David Blacker
Perth
Western Australia
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David Blacker replied to the topic Temporary Weakness After Exercise in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 11 months, 1 week ago
Just a correction, it was Dan, not Dr Ahlskog himself, who brought up the “ burning through” L-dopa suggestion with exercise.
looking through the other replies it’s clear that we need a much more organized and expert, individualized approach to the prescription of exercise in PD
Last year, the Parkinson’s foundation put out a fabulous table s…[Read more]
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David Blacker replied to the topic Temporary Weakness After Exercise in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 11 months, 1 week ago
Hi Bruce
A few things.
You should probably get a thorough review by your neurologist or internist to ensure there is not another cause for your leg weakness such as poor circulation or spinal canal narrowing.
More L-dopa may be needed; great to see Eric Ahklkog chipping into this discussion ; his books are a “must read” and his views on exe…[Read more]
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David Blacker replied to the topic Do all exercises help with the Parkinson's progression? in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 1 year ago
So sorry Bari – predictive text and early hours of morning a bad combination
I also find the calmness of yoga very soothing
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David Blacker replied to the topic Do all exercises help with the Parkinson's progression? in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 1 year ago
Thanks Dave – I feel obliged to share my experience, particularly to encourage my neurology colleagues to provide the best possible care, I agree with your sentiment about the insulting comments about exercise prescription
There needs to be much greater precision about exercise prescription – and i think neurologists are not the best people to…[Read more]
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David Blacker replied to the topic Do all exercises help with the Parkinson's progression? in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 1 year ago
Bart’s description of yoga for PD is brilliant – I agree completely with his comments.
What I didn’t mention in my earlier piece focused on high intensity training is the fact that I alternate high intensity days with yoga days. My wife is training ax a yoga instructor, and we are developing a specific PD targeted program.
Yoga breathing has m…[Read more]
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David Blacker replied to the topic Do all exercises help with the Parkinson's progression? in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 1 year, 1 month ago
Thanks for opening this discussion Mary. This is an interesting and important question, and I plan to devote the remainder of my career to working this out, with research in collaboration with my neurology and sports science colleagues.
Presently, we don’t really have enough data to be sure about the best approach and how to adapt the best…[Read more]
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David Blacker replied to the topic Where do you live? in the forum Diagnosis Information and General Questions 1 year, 1 month ago
Hi, David Blacker in
Perth
Australia
really like this forum – read it a lot during my hours of insomnia!
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David Blacker replied to the topic Do you struggle with hot or cold flashes? in the forum Parkinson's Disease Symptoms 1 year, 4 months ago
Even though I live in a warm climate in Australia, I’ve had trouble keeping warm at times especially at night. I’ve been piling on the blankets whilst my menopausal wife has been burning up.
I recently read some articles describing how PD patients with REM sleep behavior disorder had a greater drop in night time core body temperature than con…[Read more]
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David Blacker replied to the topic Do you have odd dreams? in the forum Diagnosis Information and General Questions 1 year, 5 months ago
Thanks Jo
Although I knew quite early what was happening, when I saw a colleague who agreed with the Dx in 2018 it was still a shock. I am lucky to see a general neurologist and a MDS- a bit strange because the MDS was once my trainee.
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David Blacker replied to the topic Do you have odd dreams? in the forum Diagnosis Information and General Questions 1 year, 5 months ago
The dreams are likely part of REM sleep behavior disorder and can precede other symptoms by years, and this is no recognized as a early feature of PD,
Benzodiazepine drugs such as Clonazepam are often prescribed. I get these sort of dreams about 3 times a weak; thrashing around and talking; it usually wakes my wife, and I can’t get back to s…[Read more]
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David Blacker started the topic Being more positive with the diagnosis of PD in the forum Using our forums 1 year, 7 months ago
I’m increasingly interested in improving the way doctors deliver the diagnosis with more sensitivity and understanding and putting PD into a much more positive perspective. The 30 days of PD story by Geoff Evans demonstrates how quality of life can paradoxically be improved (at least for a while), with the diagnosis of PD. Adopting a healthy…[Read more]
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David Blacker replied to the topic Are there Parkinson's terms that are more sensitive than others? in the forum Parkinson’s Disease Awareness and Advocacy 1 year, 8 months ago
Thanks for opening this discussion – I usually refer to myself as having PD; my wife really dislikes the term “Parkie”; she thinks it is a disrespectful term that is too casual. Your quest for optimal communication is worthy and important; I’ve previously written about my ideas on how the perception of PD might influence the course of the condi…[Read more]
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David Blacker replied to the topic Pain with parkinson’s in the forum Using our forums 2 years, 2 months ago
It does sound dystonia, but there will almost certainly be a musculoskeletal component due to asymmetry of weight bearing ,
Apparently, James Parkinson mentions pain in his original descriptions, but it doesn’t get a lot of attention by modern doctors, even though up to 80% of PD patients will get some form of pain,
I too get a lot of pain in m…[Read more]
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David Blacker replied to the topic What's the most effective exercise routine for PD? in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 2 years, 4 months ago
I think exercise programs need to be individualised, but key elements include;
1. Cardiovascular- probably including a high intensity component.
2. Strength and resistance; with some weights
3. Targeted specific movements to counter the key deficits; ie slow, limited range of arm and leg movements – to me boxing is the most logical exercise…[Read more]
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David Blacker became a registered member 3 years, 2 months ago
Hi David. I was just thinking to myself how it would be helpful if my doctor had pd (not that I would wish that on anyone ). Sometimes I think my dr. Thinks things are not that bad for me. He thinks I set the bar too high. I was a dancer and an athlete so I know how much I have lost. I try not to think about the future and try to be in the…[Read more]