I was diagnosed in August '17. At that point I had difficulty getting out of a chair or a bath. I had the stereotypical Parkinson’s shuffle. My balance was terrible and I had frequent falls and trips. I couldn’t walk more than a short distance and I spent most of my time sitting in a chair or resting on the bed. I could no longer swim because I could not coordinate my movements. I’d been using a stick for a couple of years.
I started neuro physiotherapy several weeks before I started meds and immediately began to improve. Even before I’d taken any Madopar, I was able to get out of a chair easily and my walking was improved. The NHS physiotherapist showed me the Parkinson’s Warrior exercises which I started doing every day.
After a couple of months of physiotherapy, the physiotherapist referred me to the exercise classes run by the local Parkinson’s UK group with the NHS. I’ve been doing those weekly classes for about 18 months now. Our therapist uses the PW exercises in combination with other exercises. I found them very difficult at first, but I have gradually improved. I also attend a Parkinson’s Movement to Music class.
Last autumn, I spent a fortnight at the European Parkinson’s Centre in Italy and learnt their exercise programme, which is different to, but based on the same principles as PW. Since the centre is attached to a spa with a swimming pool, I used the opportunity to start swimming again.
Nowadays I try to spend at least 45 minutes in vigorous exercise every day. On days when I don’t have a class, I go on a half hour walk. I do the exercise routine I learned in Italy and I also use an exercise bike.
Progress hasn’t been steady. I’ve had bad patches when I’ve had strained muscles,or experienced ‘wearing off’ when I was not on enough medication, and I’ve often had to overcome the lethargy and depression which goes with this disease. Nowadays, however, I can walk at a normal pace, with a normal gait, most of the time. I can swim, and I go swimming once a week. I stopped using a stick six months ago.
I have no way of knowing whether the exercise has slowed down the progression of my Parkinson’s, or how much of my improvement is down to medication and how much to exercise. But I am quite certain that the exercise has helped me rebuild my strength and I’d be a lot less healthy if I wasn’t doing it.
