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Ray, Thanks again for this information. Do you think DBS is worth the effort? I would like to explore it for my father. Regards Peter -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of rayilynlee Sent: Thursday, 2 October 2008 5:57 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Newbies/Exercise I am passing on my response to Nihal's email because it contains a call for early and sustained exercise: Ray Dear Nihal Thank you for emailing me and putting such confidence in me. I must tell you I did not write the exercise article, although I agree with it. I labeled it "Source unknown" because I got it from a blog with no author. I have had PD 12 years now, was diagnosed at age 60. In those first early years I did well, treadmilling an hour a day. I liked to listen to Dixieland Jazz music when I walked, it helped pass the time. Although I tried Sinemet (which worked only once) and other PD meds, they didn't help so I don't take any PD meds. In 1997 I went to Australia-New Zealand without a cane and walked from the hotel to the Sydney Opera House. In 1999 my niece and I went to Egypt. Although I had a cane I zipped around the tombs and pyramids. I am a retired history teacher who always loved to travel. If I could improve to my 1999 status I would go see all the great people I have met online. I cannot travel now. In summer of 2003 I had two DBS brain surgeries which control my tremors. In April 2008 I fell on my tailbone and cannot treadmill or walk in my swimming pool as it makes my back worse. I can't even stand for a few minutes to use the 2 putting greens in my backyard. MY ADVICE TO ALL NEWLY DIAGNOSED PWP: IF YOU CAN, KEEP UP THAT INITIAL EXERCISE PROGRAM AND BY ALL MEANS DON'T FALL - YOU CAN REALLY HURT YOURSELF. Sometime around 2001 I got an electric "Jazzy" wheelchair because my doc was afraid I would fall. This may have been a mistake as I can barely walk now. Nihal, one of the many nasty things about PD is the "unknowns" we face. Every one of us is different with respect to reaction to meds and progress of the disease. Although that is a negative, it may also be a positive. For example, just because I am losing my voice, it doesn't mean you will. I do think we have a window of opportunity at the beginning to use exercise as much as we can. I wish I had maintained it no matter what. So be good to yourself. Select what you "like" best and what you think you can stick to. It is good you have family support. I just ask myself, what can I still do? One thing is posting PD info with Diane Wyshak's help. This was not the retirement I had planned on, but I do have enough to do. You are not alone and I'm sure you will make many online friends. I will still hold onto the hope I will meet you someday in Sri Lanka. Thank you for your kind invitation. In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact me and keep the List up to date on how you are doing. Ray Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn