Bari
Forum Replies Created
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At first I thought you were asking about taking blue crystal meth. Having watched all the episodes of the “Breaking Bad” series, I was shocked by your suggestion! But then I looked closer … whew! I decided to check out “methylene blue,” and found a few entries for the drug. None of the sites had much to offer regarding the drug itself and its uses. In some cases the descriptions focused mostly other drugs that should not be taken with methylene blue. I’m actually tempted to say there was a cryptic element to the statements I did find. It’s a mystery to me!
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James, the heel to buns stretch is a great one!
John, I’ve never tried a topical magnesium cream, but I have found that taking calcium/magnesium supplements is helpful for preventing muscle spasms – especially in the legs. And thank you for mentioning it, as I ran out of them months ago and by now had forgotten that they were part of my daily routine. Gotta put it on the shopping list! I take a daily Tumeric/Curcumin supplement, which seems to help prevent inflammation in my joints. However, while I believe there can be value in taking supplements, I don’t go overboard with them.
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Lol! Yes, getting a good night’s sleep is THAT ridiculous, isn’t it? I’m printing this out for my husband to read.
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Wow! All these responses have generated a lot of info. Judi, I wish you the best of luck with your new bed. Let us know how it works out for you. Jean, thanks for your honest input. I did read thru most of the Thevocalm info (War & Peace) and I noticed that the bed for Dementia has firm edge support, but not the PD model (?) I think I’m leaning toward another Tempur-pedic, with a heat-dispersing mattress pad on top.
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I grew up on the Jersey Shore. My husband and I recently moved a bit further inland to a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Freehold, NJ. My profile cover says it all! Life is good.
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YES. YES. YES.
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Episodes of freezing can be terrifying. Walking across a threshold, through a door frame, or between large objects (ie; furniture) are common triggers. Some people (not me, unfortunately) use pocket lasers and direct the line of light to a point beyond the obstacle. Focusing on the line or endpoint distracts the brain from focusing on the nearer obstacles. It’s worth a try. The first thing I do is to try blocking out any noise around me. I concentrate on adjusting my posture – standing upright and lengthening my back. Then I focus on lifting one knee in a marching pose. I start counting – whispered or out loud – with each step until I’ve gotten through the “blocked” area. This is a big problem for me, too, and I’ve taken more than one fall because I let my head lead my feet while walking. At my husband’s urging, I finally started using a rollator this year!
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Have you tried assisted stretching? Ask a PT or buy a book that will explain how to best stretch Jen’s thighs in a safe, feel-good way.
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It’s true that the latest trends in delaying the progression of PD includes cardio with a focus on intensity. I think anything that slows the advancing beast is useful. But if you’re looking for what will serve you best for the long haul, you need to devote more than half of your exercise time to movements and stretches that have their roots in yoga. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that we can’t Spin Class our way out of. But we can learn how to use the healing power that exists within all of us, and the practice of yoga is one way to do that.
Yoga first teaches us how to maximize breathing – so important for bringing fresh, healing oxygen to tired or injured muscles. You’ll learn how to stretch your muscles in new ways. It will be hard if you’ve never done yoga-based stretching before. “Hard” in the sense that many will become impatient for instant results and slow to realize how the mind and body are beginning to connect. But once you’ve gotten the hang of breathing – when to inhale and when to exhale – and you start applying it to your movements and stretches, you may be astonished by how much deeper you’re able to sink into poses and stretches, and how good it feels. Yoga-based excercise, tai chi, even some martial arts training force you to clear your mind of all thoughts except your breath and whatever muscle(s) you’re focused on. This focus of mind will enable you to block out or at least minimize any pain you may have to deal with as time goes on. (Think: Lamaze Childbirth)
And what will yoga do for your body? It will tone your muscles, improve your balance, and keep your joints LIMBER. All this will help to prevent falls. And when you DO fall (impossible to avoid as one progresses) or just strain a muscle, your first-hand knowledge of stretches will help prevent your uninjured joints and muscles from going into spasm. (That is the way of injuries; when one muscle in the back is damaged it tightens up. To compensate, the brain tells the opposing muscles in the back to mount a counter-tightening in order to achieve balance, and before you know it, your whole back is a jumble of knots.) Also, if your joints have been kept limber there’s less likelyhood of torn tissue and ligaments should you fall.
I started integrating yoga into my life when I was in college (Are you counting? That would be 1969-1973!) As a teacher of elementary-age kids I was busy and on my feet all day. My classroom was on the second floor, which meant many trips up and down the double flight of stairs each day. After that, my own children had activities that needed my attention. I never worked out at a gym, but considered myself to be in better-than-average shape. Before going to bed I did a few sit-ups, leg-lifts and arm circles, and spent maybe 10 minutes stretching.
It wouldn’t be until I was diagnosed with PD that I would develop a longer exercise program that had its roots in yoga. I cleared out an unused bedroom, installed a ballet barre (a stair rail from Home Depot), and lined up 4 mirors on a wall. My yoga mat and an exercise ball were placed in the middle of the room, and a small TV/DVD player and a CD player were placed on a shelf. A Rebounder (mini-trampoline) provided fun aerobics, the DVDs taught me how to breathe. move, and stretch in proper form, and the CDs provided relaxation guidance after each session.
Other types of exercise that have helped me: Because I have good insurance coverage, I usually sign up for 6 weeks of PT at least every other year. I think that everyone entering the middle stages of PD should go through the LSVT BIG program at least once. Twice would be even better! I hear that lots of Parkies like the Boxing and Dancing for PD programs.
Research seems to support the contention that cardio exercise & high intensity workouts slow Parkinson’s advance, which I have no reason to question. But you can’t take a gym home with you. Make sure you spend time learning techniques that you can put into action immediately after a fall or any injury. Teach your mind NOW how to deal with the pains that will come later.
PS – I am 70 yrs old and have had Parkinson’s since I was 47.
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I was Dx’s with Parkinson’s 20+ yrs ago at age 49. I am now 70. It’s possible I could live for at least another 5+ yrs. Looking at the line of my PD continuum, I’d say that freezing and failure to initiate movement began interfering with my life about 13 years into the disease. It seemed to come on all of a sudden, and I took several signifant falls that broke bones. NOTE: This is why I’ve never been a candidate for DBS surgery, which has been helpful to many with tremors. Tremors aren’t one of my dominent symptoms, and a side effect of DBS can be freezing & slowness of gait … which one of my biggest problems!
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Ummm, David Blacker … was your message to “Bart” referring to me, Bari. Just wanted to let you know that I’m a “she,” not a “he.” (tee-hee)
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Thanks
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Thank you!
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What I’m envisioning is something like a table runner – would that be correct? Working in thirds, the two ends of the runner are made of a slip-resistant fabric, while the middle third section is a satin-y fabric to make turning easier. And then you lay it crosswise on top of your bottom sheet – right where the hips and tush touch the mattress. Is that right? I think that’s a brilliant idea! 🙂
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Ann, I’m eager to hear more about this new mattress of yours. I hope you’ve found a winner and will be able to share your opinions about it with us, as well as the name of the manufacturer. (Maybe our moderator will step in and clarify).
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This sounds like it could be a good solution, Karla. Thanks. I’ll check it out.
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Tom, I confirm what you’ve said to be true, too, but not for me. Poly/satin, which FEELS so slinky and lets you slide into turns, but it doesn’t breathe, and I wake up drenched in sweat. Real silk is kind of expensive so I’ve upscaled my all-cotton sheets to higher-count sateens. It’s the best I can do. The same thing can happen to me if I sleep on an all-foam mattress, especially memory foam. I’ve had PD for 22 years, and this problem with excessive sweating is a lovely new symptom I could do without!
So – I’m looking for a mattress that has cooling features in the top layers, and maybe another few layers of natural latex in different densities. I’ve tried two hybrid mattresses and sent both back. They used pocketed coils for the support layer, but I never felt like I was getting enough back support. I’ve since learned that the pocketing process means little if the coils are cheaply made. There are just so many things to be considered, I feel like I’m searching for a unicorn!
Some fact’s I’ve gleaned:
- A higher coil count doesn’t necessarily make for a superior mattress – one must compare the GAUGE of each coil and its construction. Gauge is measured inversely – the thicker the wire, the smaller the gauge. (Thicker is better)
- Whether or not the steel in the coils is TEMPERED matters (Tempered is better & will last longer)
- Another important factor is how tightly each coil has been wound. Coils constructed with a higher number of turns will result in a softer, more durable mattress.
- Pocketed coils may provide more motion isolation, but won’t necessarily provide better support – the coils need to pass the above tests first.
You may note that none of these burning questions can be determined by looking at coils encased in semi-opaque pockets.
- Finally, if you decide to purchase an all-coil bed – the kind you grew up sleeping on (not a hybrid) – OFFSET COILS are the best.
So, (again) – does anyone have any recommendations?
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” PD is an autoimmune disease.” Has this been proven to be true, Bill? I thought it was still in the theory stage. I’m interested to know the current status.
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” PD is an autoimmune disease.” Has this been proven to be true, Bill? I thought it was still in the theory stage.
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You are very lucky to have a husband who is so involved! Have a great day 🙂