Dec 26, 2007 5:13 am Post subject: Is Exercise harmful? Can Exercise worsen PD Progression?
I am a patient suffering from Stage II Parkinson’s Disease. I am 68 years old. Lately I have been feeling fatigue, particularly in the regions of my eye and head. Generally I feel tired and sleepy throughout the day. I would like to know whether my exercise regime is bthe cause of my fatigue, and if so, whether my exercise is excessive or optimum. Furthermore, I would like to know, whether the level of exercise I am doing is harmful and worsens my PD progression. I generally workout in the gym for six days in a week, and most of them up to an aggregate of three hours each day. My exercise schedule consists of an hour of Hatha Yoga, two hours of Personal Training with my personal trainer, which includes cardio activities on the treadmill, cross trainer, bicycle, and kick boxing. Sometimes I may substitute the personal training sessions with aerobic classes of “BodyCombat” , a kick boxing class, which includes moves from taichi, muay thai and side and front kicks, japs and jumps, and spinning classes, a cycling class. Sometimes I may even do a group exercise toning class, Bodypump, which involves the carrying of weights targetted at each part of the body. Each of these classes are for a duration of one hour each. All in, I generally workout up to three hours each day, sometimes more, for six times a week. Sunday is my rest day. All in I put in about 18 hours a week on workouts. Given the above information, is my exercise regime excessive? Is it harmful to my physical and mental well being? Most importantly, does it worsen my PD progression directly or indirectly. I am currently taking Requick (6 tabs (2 mg) per day) and Sinemet (3 tabs (25/100) per day). I am also taking “anti-oxidant” supplements, consisting of multi-vitamins and minerals, prescribed by the medical practitioner at Bumrungard Hospital at Bangkok. Does the above presciption in any way, cause my feeling of fatigue? I would be grateful if you could enlighten me on the issues raised herein. Yours sincerely Teo Kim Hoo
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Dr. FernandezJoined: 20 Jan 2007Posts: 90
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:30 am Post subject:
Each person has a different tolerance level, different fitness level, and different levels of cardiovascular fitness. So what is excessive for you may not be excessive for another person. In general, I advocate at least 1 hour per day of exercise. You far exceed that. But maybe you are more fit than the average person? If you find yourself tired all the time, it couls be a sign that your exercise is excessive. Try cutting back to 2 hours per day and see if you feel better with that. In general, I advocate aerobic exercises over strength training. Aerobic exercises are better for your heart and better for your PD. In general, “the heavier” the exercise the better. But there is an important caveat to this: heavier is better as long as it is safe and your body (especially your heart) can tolerate it. Exercise is great for PD! Yours,_________________Hubert H. Fernandez
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Wow,that is an impressive workout, You may want to discuss this with your doctor if this has only recently occurred,maybe your medication needs adjustment ,does your doctor know about all of your non prescription medications? All the reading I have done clearly comes down on the side of exercise having enormous benefit to Parkinsons expecially in terms of seeming to delay progression and lessen symptoms,it also benefits mental health. It is possible you may be overtraining,consider decreasing your intensity for a week and taking more rest,such as simply lying down with a book for 15-20 minutes.Good luckbrowncat8
In general moderate exercise is beneficial. The results come in the long run. Immediately after exercising you may feel worse. I know a man from the NPF forum who has had PD for 32 years and still runs marathons(26miles).Jack
Is Exercise harmful? Can Exercise worsen PD Progression?
Mr Teo’s fatigue is mainly caused by excessive physical exertion. It is good to remain physically active when you have PD, but I think Mr. Teo is overdoing it. Dr Chew Nee Kong
Joined: 19 Jan 2007Posts: 251Location: University of Florida
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:51 am Post subject:
Thanks for the follow-up. It is hard to know where the line is with too much exercise and that is why regular discussions with your doctor can be helpful to define the best levels!_________________Michael S. Okun, M.D
i am a 54 y/o female weight 113lbs i want to try TAI CHI . DO you think it would be better than just aerobic exercise? I do brisk 3-5 miles walking 6 days a week, and will continue. wOULD the Tai chi help my balance? Do you feel that exercise helps to retard the progression of PD? one last query……if u could only spend 1 hour a day to exercise …..what routine would you chose? MANY THANKS FOR YOUR TIME! REGARDS, BAMBI
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Dr. FernandezJoined: 20 Jan 2007Posts: 90
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:
There are several studies on Tai Chi right now looking at whether it can improve PD and balance in PD…I am hopeful. I think it does help. Techinically or scientifically, the different forms of exercise have not been compared head to head so it is difficult to say which type of exercise is superior. Anyone claiming superiority would just be blowing off hot air, and basing in on theory rather than actual findings. And you know that we have such a low batting average in testing drugs that we think should slow or stop the disease but when actually tested show disappointing results. What I can tell you is that most likely exercise dose help PD, and perhaps it even slows disease progression. As to what type of exercise is the best, the one that you can stick with, that you enjoy, that you can do on a daily basis (preferably for 1 hour each day throughout the year), that is safe, that does not put you at undue risk for falls, that your heart and body can tolerate, is the best exercise. We have reason to believe that the more aerobic, and the one that promotes symmetry and extension (more than flexion), the better. Yours,_________________Hubert H. Fernandez
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject: Is exercise harmful?Can exercise worsen PD progression?
I refer to the above articles. It is my dry mouth, a common symptoms of Parkinson’s patient that I feel tiredness from exercises. My saliva that seems thick or stringy in my mouth. I have cracked lips at the corners of the mouth. I some time find difficulty to talk because of my rough, dry mouth or tongue. I have a bad breath. TEOKIMHOE
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:10 am Post subject:
The dry mouth could also be medications (anticholinergics) and occassionally people have another disorder (Sjogren’s, or another) so you may want to discuss options with your local doctor. Good luck._________________Michael S. Okun, M.D
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