Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...

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Lynnie200 02/26/2012

Why is it that my husband won't go swimming at the pool? I swim twice a week at the pool in town and it would really be good for him. He's had PD for 4 years but he doesn't exercise on a daily basic. He uses the Wii Sports program with the golfing, tennis, etc. and walks once in a while when it's nice weather.
However, we are going on vacation and he is taking his swim suit to swim in the motel pool, so that is a good thing.
I asked him why he doesn't come with me at the pool here, but he doesn't answer so I give up asking him. Maybe he thinks people are looking at him, I don't know, but they don't care. Maybe it's because he doesn't want to get undressed and dressed again during the day as he takes longer to do this now.
His strength isn't what it used to be and he is loosing his muscles and looks thinner, so swimming would be ideal.
I don't know what to do but wait until he decides on his own, I guess.

deleted_user 02/26/2012

It isn't easy to swim with p.d. First of all, with stiff shoulders it is very hard not to feel like a beached whale when swimming, and secondly, it is often painful to move arms over the head with p.d muscles. What about getting him an inflatible raft to relax on in the pool when you swim, then he won't feel left out on the fun and you'll still be close for company?

deleted_user 02/26/2012

Hi Lynnie , I swim I did it all summer in our pool,then I stopped for the winter. I missed so much we join a fitness club. I swim every day . But I go soon just before my meds. start working. So I am there when they kick in. It is very hard to exercise when you are all tight and cannot move very well.So try that swimming is a great exercise, strengthens the whole body. Good luck. Zlatica

Lynnie200 02/26/2012

Thanks, I didn't mean to actually swim with arms over the head as I know what you mean. I don't even do that myself since my arms bother me. I usually get in the deep end and kick my feet and move my arms in a circular fashion and use the noodle or lay back and kick my feet and use my arms to paddle.
He could do this very easily by using a noodle to hold him up and still get some exercise as he is still mobile enough. I just don't want him to stiffen up sooner than he needs to.

debfromnj 02/27/2012

The first summer I could swim very well and got a workout when swimming. I swam lap upon lap. This past summer (the second summer) it was very hard for me to swim because I do not have power in my left side and I swim lopsided. It takes a lot of effort to swim now and it wears me out right away. I still try every chance I get in the summer. I do not enjoy swimming in an inside pool so at the gym I do not swim but just exercise.

PSullivan 02/27/2012

Lynne, maybe it's more of an exposure thing to him... maybe he's not secure being out like that in public with PD... and feels more secure and comfortable doing things (WII) at home... just a thought... paula

Birdyfeather 02/27/2012

I agree with Paula. He probably does not like the feeling of being observed by others. Makes you very self concious, which makes the parkinson's symptoms even worse. I guess it is a self pride thing that we all have to deal with.

deleted_user 02/27/2012

Well, I go to the local Senior Center to swim and physical therapy. I am the Only guy in the pool and all other are women, I asked why and they said that all the men with few exceptions, stay in the gym with weight machines etc. Sure enough that is where they are. My theory is that guys (im generalizing) think the pool is sissy stuff- like water ballet at the olympics, and that combined with a pinch of Machismo and a Pinch of peer pressure,..................recipe for the Weight room...(no offense to any guys on this site this is an opinion only :))

peace

CMstanding 02/27/2012

Another thought - how is the water temperature? If it is not warm enough, I find it to be very uncomfortable for me and makes me shake like crazy. My husband will say the water is warm, but his warm and my warm are two very different warms. lol

PSullivan 02/29/2012

that's true too CM i find i really shake after my swim class.. thought it was from the exercise but could be from water temp...

PhilGS 03/01/2012

No offense taken Backpacker. I know exactly where you're coming from. I would join an aquafit class in a heartbeat if it was available to me. I've only heard good things about them.

Phil

Lynnie200 03/01/2012

We have aquafitness classes too but I don't know if any men go, either. Most of the men do laps or exercise in the pool on their own, or go to the gym.
Thanks for all of your input. Have a good weekend everyone!

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