Any deliberate, repetitive activity - including exercise - sets me back for hours. I was 48 at dx in 1999 and had diagnosable symptoms at least 10 years prior but my doc kept suggesting I had MS for those years. He kept telling me I had to exercise so I began a serious exercise program in 1997; when I was finally dx with PD I had a severe tremor in three of my four limbs, was so rigid and stiff I could barely move, and dystonia in my right foot that was dibiliating along with the myriad of other PD symptoms. Within weeks of my dx I hired a "personal trainer" who came to my home three times a week - I had to crawl my way to my bed after each session. My neurologist recently explained that I fall into a small subset of PDer's who, for whatever reason, physical activity negates the benefit of medication leaving me unmedicated - I assumed exercise just used up my available dopamine but I guess the problem is in my body using up the Sinemet before it can reach the brain.........playing catch-up on dopamine takes time. An unusually, busy, hectic few days will leave me in an "off" state for an entire day or two.

That being said I know that the old saying of "use it or lose it" is a true statement and I do try to walk at least 20 minutes a day. PD is not for wimps.