How to Relieve Fatigue

I don’t know the answer. My husband has had the fatigue you mention for a few years now after being diagnosed 20years ago. He has to get horizontal and rest either in bed or the couch several times a day. He said it feels like a 500 lb gorilla is on his back. He feels a pushing sensation either to the side, front or back and it changes directions throughout the day.
I have read that fatigue is one of the most complained about symptoms.

I too have severe fatigue. I find that if I just lay down and rest because I can’t go to sleep during the day I feel much better.

I was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago and my wife was diagnosed 15 years ago so we have a little experience. Exercise is the best opportunity to slow the progression of PD and has a side benefit of fighting fatigue. You must force yourself to schedule some exercise into your daily routine (yes daily). A walk, a bike ride or stationary bike ride, yoga including chair yoga, free weights, boxing, gardening, join a PD group at a gym, etc. Plan, commit and schedule your exercise like the remainder of your active life depends on it! You can enjoy a short nap at some point in the day but avoid late afternoons so you don't interfere with a deep sleep at night (it is thought that a deep sleep can assist in cleansing the brain of amyloid plaque, Epoch Times article January 8, 2025). I often get sleepy in the afternoon while working on the computer or reading in my home office so I recently closed the heating vent to the room so the temperature remains cool to keep me alert. Best wishes and keep fighting. As my wife says, don't wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain.

Wow, so very helpful!! Thank you with all my heart. I recently retired, so can schedule exercise, for both of us. Insurance pays for gym membership so there’s no excuses, wink wink. Time to build new habits. Again—huge thanks!

I have had Parkinson’s for 15 years. I did not have trouble with fatigue until about 4 years ago. It started when I switched from Mirapex to Sinimet. Mirapex is a medication that my neurologist does not like and does not have his patients take it. I have heard of other neurologists that do not have their patients with PD take it. I feel exhausted most of the time. Sometimes I can push through it, sometimes I need to lay down and rest. It is very frustrating. I used to play tennis and pickleball. I no longer play #1 I have taken a few bad falls (luckily I did not break anything- I have osteoporosis) and #2 I do not have the energy to play. My family finally understands that there are times I just need to rest. It does help a lot when they get it. I am wondering, if you started Sinimet, if it may help your fatigue. It would be worth asking your provider. Good luck. If you find something that helps with the fatigue please share it with us.

My wife has been diagnosed 7+ years although in retrospect we recognize symptoms years before; her neurologist said to stay with her baseline C/L dosing schedule but to time an additional dose to optimize "on" time during a scheduled period of physical activity.

@jflamini,
You've reminded me of how important the exercise component is. Thank you! It's true I was significantly less exhausted when I did water aerobics 5-6 times weekly. With the cooler weather, I stopped moving, other than an occasional chair yoga or tai chi class. I need to learn again how to "dance in the rain." Thank again!

Very good advice! Parkinsons is hard to deal with at times! Your comments were appreciated! Hugs