[Dave Green]

I also occasionally struggle. Some mornings I rush to pour myself a cup of coffee, but then thinking I don’t want caffeine to interfere with a needed nap, I don’t drink anything. I am getting better at drinking water or juice when I get up. I notice I feel better, and that is helping me build a better habit.

Fakhiuddin Ahmed, would your wife respond to something other than water? Tea, milkshake, protein shake, tomato juice? Some mornings I mix a protein shake with a banana. Good luck.

[Dave Green]

I did this list for a new physical therapist.
<table dir=”ltr” border=”1″ cellspacing=”0″ cellpadding=”0″><colgroup><col width=”328″ /><col width=”460″ /></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Fatigue"}”>Fatigue</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"i always feel like I am jet-lagged"}”>i always feel like I am jet-lagged</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Sleep issues"}”>Sleep issues</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"I generally wake up after 4-5 hours of sleep, unable to resume sleeping for 1-2 hours. Sometimes gentle exercise, sometimes reading in the wake period. It makes for difficult mornings."}”>I generally wake up after 4-5 hours of sleep, unable to resume sleeping for 1-2 hours. Sometimes gentle exercise, sometimes reading in the wake period. It makes for difficult mornings.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Acting out dreams"}”>Acting out dreams</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"I have had a couple of acting-out dreams, one in which I found myself out of bed"}”>I have had a couple of acting-out dreams, one in which I found myself out of bed</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Tremor in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head"}”>Tremor in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"jaw & right hand. Typically just makes doing things somewhat harder–i.e., typing is sometimes one-handed, right-now, just a little inconveniencing"}”>jaw & right hand. Typically just makes doing things somewhat harder–i.e., typing is sometimes one-handed, right-now, just a little inconveniencing</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Muscle stiffness, where muscle remains contracted for a long time"}”>Muscle stiffness, where muscle remains contracted for a long time</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"foot clenches in morning, deal with it by squatting or toe spacers. when sitting for a period, I feel clumsy getting up"}”>foot clenches in morning, deal with it by squatting or toe spacers. when sitting for a period, I feel clumsy getting up</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Writing changes"}”>Writing changes</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"I haven’t tried to write with a pen in years"}”>I haven’t tried to write with a pen in years</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Gait problems"}”>Gait problems</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"sometimes I walk with head forward and I look to Ann as if I’m unstable"}”>sometimes I walk with head forward and I look to Ann as if I’m unstable</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Slowness of movement"}”>Slowness of movement</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"I move slower than when I was younger"}”>I move slower than when I was younger</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Impaired balance and coordination, sometimes leading to falls"}”>Impaired balance and coordination, sometimes leading to falls</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"No falls, but a couple of trips while running. I worry that my driving reflexes are not what they should be"}”>No falls, but a couple of trips while running. I worry that my driving reflexes are not what they should be</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"A “mask” face"}”>A “mask” face</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"My wife says she can’t read me"}”>My wife says she can’t read me</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Depression and other emotional changes, such as apathy"}”>Depression and other emotional changes, such as apathy</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"I get tired of dealing with my limitations, the uncertainty, and the dread of what comes next."}”>I get tired of dealing with my limitations, the uncertainty, and the dread of what comes next.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Difficulty swallowing, chewing, and speaking"}”>Difficulty swallowing, chewing, and speaking</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"sometimes my voice is weak and my tongue feels thick"}”>sometimes my voice is weak and my tongue feels thick</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Urinary problems or constipation"}”>Urinary problems or constipation</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"occasional mild constipation"}”>occasional mild constipation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"loss of sense of smell"}”>loss of sense of smell</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"I have never had a good sense of smell"}”>I have never had a good sense of smell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"Cognition"}”>Cognition</td>
<td data-sheets-value=”{"1":2,"2":"I have had some episodes of ‘brain fog.’ Not within the last few months."}”>I have had some episodes of ‘brain fog.’ Not within the last few months.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

[Dave Green]

I have a garage gym–a product of the pandemic. We have some flexible free weights, lots of bands, a stationary bike stand for our road bikes, and a rowing machine. The last is my favorite, but I’ve had a rowing machine for decades. It is a great exercise for the whole body.

 

[Dave Green]

I was formally diagnosed with Parkinson’s ten years ago. I started immediately taking Carbidopa-Levodopa. I did have some bouts of nausea. (Memo to me, if I feel bad on a jumbo jet, don’t try to go to the toilets, stay in your seat. I scared the flight crew by laying down on the floor.)  I have switched from taking two tabs of Carbidopa-Levodopa (25-100) 4-5 times daily to Rytary  (61.25 mg / 245 mg) 3 times a day. It has made a tremendous difference—many fewer off periods when, for instance, typing would be a challenge. Rytary seems to be more expensive, but it has been a good move so far. Good luck.

[Dave Green]

Mary Beth, thanks for starting this thread. David, I’m sorry that you have come to deal with Parkinson’s Disease. But the rest of us need people with your background. I believe in exercise as a foundation for dealing with this disease. I was diagnosed a decade ago after several years of denial. In those days, at seminars and workshops, we would be told, “exercise is important, and the best exercise is one that you will do.” I found that very patronizing. Today there seems to be some sensible advice more readily available, mindful that we are all different. Currently, I anchor my weekly exercise with a long slow jog (7 miles) and a second, slightly less slow jog done high-intensity interval training style (2 miles). I let my Garmin keep track of my intensity minutes. In between those two days, I use my rowing machine or my stationary bike. I’m putting yoga back into my daily routine, especially a few minutes before bed. Once a week, I do a Zoom hip-hop class for Parkinson’s; it keeps me humble (and is good for balance). I’ve probably skimped most on the weight training—my New Year’s resolution is to rectify that. Does all this help? I can’t say. However, Parkinson’s seems to weigh less on me than on many people, and it makes me feel better.