Jeffery Hill

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.

Regarding fatigue, I find that if I work out strenuously (2 hours) every day of the week, I need to grab a nap about every second afternoon. As for pain, I find that if I sit or lie down for any length of time, regardless of the prior amount of exercise, I am really stiff and sore in all of my joints.  I move REALLY slowly, with short strides,…[Read more]

Recently I’ve been alternating between Indica and Sativa oil mixed with coffee in the evening. It takes at least 2 hours to kick in. I limit it to once or twice a week because I find the effects to be pretty strong (I’m working to find the optimal dosage).   I find that it impairs my balance a little, so I only do it when I know I won’t be moving…[Read more]

Our family just committed to purchasing a puppy, which we will pick up in 4 weeks. It’s an Australian Shepherd, one of the most intelligent breeds out there.  I hadn’t considered training her to be my Service Dog.  Mary Beth, do you have any information on the specific training involved?

I have dabbled a bit with Cannabis in oil, vape and dried flower form over the last year.  Some of my sources are explicitly labeled as containing mixed THC/CBD (ratio unknown) and some are not labeled.

I have experienced cessation of tremor, but strictly temporary while it’s circulating within me.  I also get some of my best sleeps.  I tried so…[Read more]

I was a reasonably committed athlete from high school through my 40’s (running, x-country skiing, weight training etc).  Unfortunately I allowed work to become my priority in my later years, and slowly gained weight and lost my conditioning.  My PD diagnosis shocked me into action.  Work stress was completely incompatible with PD, and the li…[Read more]

My tremor started as a flutter in the thumb of my left (dominant) hand about 4.5 years ago.  It progressed steadily to encompass my entire hand, and now manifests itself as a very obvious shaking from my elbow to my finger tips, still on the left side only.  It’s not constant, and it accelerates dramatically in the presence of stress.  Nothing in…[Read more]

I focus on snow shoeing and x-country skiing.  Both involve poling and high heart rate, all good stuff.  I’ve basically hung up my downhill skis.  I find it difficult to initiate turns quickly enough.