Jeffery Hill

Hi Alan,

If you don’t already have one, consider getting a dog.  I mean a really active dog.  I got an Australian Shepherd.  She demands at least 3 hours of work a day. I’m averaging 13,000 steps a day.  Just need to supplement with some high intensity cardio, weights and stretching.

I subscribe to the theory that those of us with PD have a reduced capacity to handle stress, not that stress itself has increased.  I find that when anxiety and stress build, my tremor just starts hammering and I feel overwhelmed and exhausted.

When I was diagnosed in 2016 I had an idea what I was in for, because my father had PD.  I set about t…[Read more]

Still driving (6 speed manual no less!).  I only do long trips if I can start in the morning or have a partner to switch with if I get tired.

The key advice was exercise.  It was helpful in relaxing the muscles and joints that has become cramped throughout my body.  It took about 6 months of cardio, strength and stretching to get there.  I was on a real roll until COVID closed the gyms, and have relapsed somewhat.

I thought my first symptom was a fluttering tremor in my left thumb at the age of 56.  When I researched the list of Parkinson’s symptoms I learned that my loss of smell 5 years earlier was on the list too!

I’ve lost speed (I am SO slow at everything) and endurance (can work no more than 4 hours a day).

Coincidentally we got a new puppy in the week of the first lockdown.  I’ve never walked so much in my life!

Surgery strikes me as frighteningly invasive.  At this time I’m only taking Risagiline and not levodopa, so I have yet to experience the relief that it may provide.  I’m becoming weary of my tremor.

My father developed PD symptoms at the age of 57, and I did at 56.  His first cousin also had PD.  I was tested for known genetic markers but the results apparently were negative.

My symptoms are similar to your Dad’s.  When I experience stress, my tremor amplifies big time.  So stress avoidance is a key solution, and among other tactics I chose to retire early to get that whole work stress thing out of my life.  I also exercise frequently, although the closure of gyms due to COVID has caused a wrinkle in that plan.

I retired early at the age of 60.  I was still able to perform my work well, but was finding the physical reaction to stress to be troubling, and I did not wish to demonstrate a decline in my work quality at some time in the near future.  In other words, I wanted to go out at the top of my game.   I also wanted to enjoy the best possible years of…[Read more]

I gave up downhill a couple of years ago because I found that my reaction time (initiating turns) was declining, and I didn’t want this to end with an accident.  I continue cross country skiing on flat terrain (like frozen lakes) but I’m finding that my technique is deteriorating.  One side seems to perform differently than the other, and I d…[Read more]

Hi Ian.  A flutter of a tremor in my left thumb was the first symptom that caught my attention.  Because my father had had PD I started digging into the list of symptoms and realized that I also had lost my sense of smell years earlier (I did not know this was a PD symptom) and was not swinging my left arm when I walked (while tightly clenching m…[Read more]

At the age of 56 I developed weakness in my forearms and a flutter of a resting tremor in my left thumb.  My father had developed symptoms at the age of 57 so I began to research the list of all PD symptoms.  I realized that my 5 year loss of smell, deteriorating handwriting and “frozen” face also fit the bill.  I asked my GP for a referral to a…[Read more]

Based on what I’ve read and experienced the routine should have at least 3 components:

1. High intensity cardio.  My favourite form is a 60 minute spin class.  My heart rate is around 120-160 bpm for most of the class.  3 classes per week.

2.  Resistance (weight lifting)

3.  Stretching.  I do yoga and aqua fit.

I was doing all of this indoors…[Read more]

I intend to continue to social distance even if my province (Ontario) opens further.  I really miss the gym, but I can’t imagine a more risky proposition at this time.  Fortunately it’s finally summer and there are lots of ways to exercise ALONE!

My May neurologist appointment was changed to a phone call.  It went ok but Zoom would have been useful if I had needed to demonstrate movement disorders.  My November appointment is tentatively face to face.