Hi Everyone....it's been a while since I have been on here. Not sure why I got away from this forum, but you were all missed! Glad to be back...in a sense
Has anyone else here tried controlling their symptoms w/diet, exercise and other non-medicinal things? How are you doing, or did you do? How long were you able to subsist on non-prescription treatment?
Thanks so much....Steph

Hi Steph, I am 7 years into my pd journey, on Mirapex at the beginning, then added Stelevo, and 2 days ago stopped that and added Sinemet. About 3 months ago a very good friend "nagged" me into going with her to her workout, and I thank God so often for sending this lady into my life!!
My personal trainer, Aaron, had me jogging a mile at the end of the 1st month, and guess what.... now I can do 5 push ups at a time, is this a miracle or what. Of course I am extremely careful when I jog, my form isn't perfect, but I am moving!! We are working on strength and balance, core strength especially. Wish you could move to Altlus Oklahoma and I could hook you up with Aaron so he could do the same for you. The moral of my story is YES,YES,YES, exercise is SO important in having a good quality of life while you fight your battle. My MD doc and my FP are amazed, and so am I!!

That is great, Parkie I am glad to hear it! It's funny that my jogging (you put it perfectly, form isn't perfect) is better than my walking. There is a guy where I work who does personal training and I have been considering it! Your story is just more confirmation that I should pursue that vein.
Thanks so much for sharing...I am wondering if I should go back on my meds and have a better chance of really feeling good.

I have not been here very long; was told in March or April of this year I have PD. I am trying the "Natural" approach as much as possible. I have tried the drug Selepryl that is a liquid form of selegiline citrate to take the place of Sinemet that the doctor prescribed and I tried taking at first. It seems to help with my mood as well as the stiffness and tremors. Sinemet made me feel worse taking it than I did without it, so I am leaving it as a last resort. I have tried Requip due to Restless Legs before the PD was found. I stopped taking it except on a limited basis when night cramps are really bad, do not want to get dependent on any drug if possible.

Rick is the best one to tell you what works over the long haul. I hope that we can all contribute to help find what works for one since it may or may not help the other person. PD cannot be confined at the moment, only controlled if we watch closely all things from exercise to food intake: it all plays a part in life's journey. Take care and God bless.

Mike