I'm sure this isn't the right place to post this, but I don't know how to start a new thread. We just learned that one of my brothers has ALS. That makes half of our family with either ALS or Parkinson's. My dad lost his ALS battle in 1972. I feel like I've been socked in the gut. What can the odds be that 3 out of 6 would be so afflicted?

Nan Cyclist,
That is a tough one to deal with. There is a lot more to be learned about these conditions, and the people researching them do not understand our haste for them to find ways to help. When a family is hard hit like yours the urgency is made much more real, especially with ALS.

I guess you probably know that there is an active ALS group here at Neurotalk.....

To start a new thread just look towards the top of the page that lists the PD forum threads, just below the three sub-forums, on the left there is a button for new thread, click it and you are there.....

Share as much love as you can, it is the thing that really does help.

Best Wishes
Lindy

Nan,
I am sorry to hear the news. I know it is very hard when a difficult illness hits one who is dear to us. Life is not fair but human spirit is strong and will fight on to the bitter end.
Imad

http://www.keepmemoryalive.org/About...ngFall2010.pdf

The Lou Ruvo memory center recently opened in Las Vegas. Dr Alberts gave one of the keynote speeches, which is the link above, starting on p 12.
Further encouragement to cycle if you're able.

On June 6 the Mill Creek Family YMCA in South Everett, WA, became the first licensed Pedaling for Parkinson’s program in the country. They will begin the first class on July 11. It will run M, W, F from 1-2 p.m. for eight weeks with the opportunity to follow up for life. This class is primarily for Level 1 & 2 patients. There is room for 16 pwp cyclists, although they will add an additional class if there is sufficient demand.

For more information contact Cindy Mascari, cmascari@ymca-snoco.org

To hear more about the program and recent developments in Pedaling for Parkinson’s tune into Robert Roger’s blogtalkradio for an interview with Nan Little this Wed., June 8, at 3 p.m. There will be a call in opportunity. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkins...nt-kilimanjaro

Wednesday we are hosting a Hot Topics call focused on exercise. The dial-in call will feature Todd Sherer, PhD (MJFF CEO) and Lisa Shulman, MD (from the University of Maryland) at noon EST. If you are interested in participating, please RSVP to hottopics@michaeljfox.org

We will also be uploading the call as a podcast on our website in case you’d like to listen to it at a future date.

Debi

This is all important; but, and tho it isn't funny , it all boils down to delivery system. This is the one positive thing you can do. Add the wii and some music _ it has short term appeal for me but requires more self discipline than I have to spare . It's hard enough getting thru the day; i can't place too much investment in the compulsion to have exercised , self initiated, but recently learned, moderately - this is useful information and needs to have more attention. It comes in spurts and many can't get themselves there and it's not safe for them to do so.

here is the reality of it but i'm in a good time for that and it is the best medicine....irritatingly so.

I have been trying cycling at 80rpm recently - have managed the unimpressive total of 7 minutes so far and then I can't breathe and my legs go to jelly. Plus I find it spectacularly boring, but I am going to keep at it and see if I can at least increase my cardiovascular health.

Trixidee

Trixidee and Paula, I understand your frustration. I gave a class yesterday to the staff at Mill Creek and it was so hard to describe how mentally and physically difficult it often is to get on the bike, even when I know it is the best thing I can do for myself. Trixidee, your 7 minutes at 80 rpm is impressive. Are you wearing a heart rate monitor to know that you're keeping within 60-80% of your maximum heart rate? I keep lowering the resistance on the bike until I can go 80-90 rpm for the whole time. My heart rate gets in the right zone after about 5-7 minutes if I keep the resistance low. That seems to work for me. If I increase the resistance at the beginning, I get to the heart rate zone faster, but I've worn myself out a bit.

My 6 mo. old granddaughter is sleeping in the crib next to me. She and my grandson are my motivation.

Paula and Trixidee,
** I believe it is not impossible or late to start exercise 5-10 mins(say) repeated as many times as possible. when you start, it will be like a burden or duty but you will enjoy it in time.

** It is unfotunate that exercise is not a part of the formal PD treatment and all PD doctors I have seen never mentioned it and were not impressed by my consistant 2 hours daily exercise that I do as a religious ritual.

** I was lucky that I started exersing from day one with half hour routine daily which I was able to increase to my present level of 2 hours over about 5 years since diagnosis

** I exercise the first thing in the morning after taking one tea spoon of creatin, 30 gm of whey and 3 spoons of coconut oil, which I believe that they increase my stamina.

** I take 5 mins of cold shower after exercise

** I put music I like during exercise and I enjoy the exercise ritual so much that I consider it the best time of the day.

** I do my exercise in the morning before taking my medication

** The exercise includes taichi or Yoga followed by stationary cycling for 50 mins at 80-100 rpm

** Usually, I also play wii sport in the afternoon with my 8 yeard grand son.

** I believe that exercise has helped me to reduce mobility problem but not my tremor which has progressed over the years.
I hope this will help some. Good luck and hope you update us.
cheers