1. < Parkinson's Disease

My husband has mobility issues

Posted by cmdw2600 @cmdw2600, Feb 21, 2023

My husband (age 72) was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 6 years ago. I feel his progression is slow even though he would say otherwise. He is still driving and playing golf-although poorly. He does go to the gym, but he is weak and feels that he cannot improve in this area. He is of a healthy weight, maybe a bit too thin, and we have a healthy diet. He currently takes Sinemet, and a drug that is not as well known called Gocoveri. This drug seems to control what he referred to as “bobble head”. His hand tremors are pretty well controlled with the Sinemet.

My question is this: does anyone have tips for getting out of bed, getting off the sofa, getting out of the car? I’d like him to get some kind of physical therapy for these situations but am not certain how to proceed. He does not use a walker, cane or Nordic sticks.

Anything that has worked for anyone out there?

Thank you! Cindy

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

jojok | @jojok | Mar 30 12:36pm
In reply to @sillyblone "My spouse was diagnosed with essentials tremors in 2013. It did not really match. He started..." + (show)
@sillyblone

My spouse was diagnosed with essentials tremors in 2013. It did not really match. He started writing smaller and could not write his name , etc. Move up a few years later in 2018 he was officially diagnosed with Parkinson's. So many other issues that followed. So hard on him and my ability to help him get the right care.

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Is your husband a veteran? If so, the VA will give you wonderful support. I’m also caring for my husband who has Parkinson’s, Parkinsonism, maybe Multiple System Atrophy, Dementia, PTSD and possibly Myasthenia Gravis. It is very tiring! Finding a Support group online is invaluable. Even an hour a week helps very much.

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1 reply
sillyblone | @sillyblone | Mar 30 12:56pm
In reply to @jojok "Is your husband a veteran? If so, the VA will give you wonderful support. I’m also..." + (show)
@jojok

Is your husband a veteran? If so, the VA will give you wonderful support. I’m also caring for my husband who has Parkinson’s, Parkinsonism, maybe Multiple System Atrophy, Dementia, PTSD and possibly Myasthenia Gravis. It is very tiring! Finding a Support group online is invaluable. Even an hour a week helps very much.

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No, my husband worked for the DOD. He retired year's ago. I think he may have the MSA as well. He sees his neurologist next week. I think by the increase in new diagnosises and his seeming so different from 6 months ago. I just finished washing his hair, gave him a shave and trimed his beard. He looks awesome. He was animated and I love to see it. Even if it is over hair. ❤️

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sillyblone | @sillyblone | Mar 30 1:01pm
In reply to @llynst "My husband is having those same balance/ mobility problems. He started seeing a physical therapist in..." + (show)
@llynst

My husband is having those same balance/ mobility problems. He started seeing a physical therapist in the pool. It seems to really be helping.

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We started with that and they also did a great job finding out what he could do. They taught him how to use a treadmill.It was helpful when we started at the YMCA Parkinsons program. If the pandemic did not interfere possibly he would have been stronger. We started back after. He ended up after a year unable to do the work that he needed. So I moved ahead to walking, chair exercises, etc. Thanks for the text. Hugs

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 30 2:52pm
In reply to @jms920 "My husband is 76 and was recently diagnosed. The neurologist thought he had Myasthenia Gravis first...." + (show)
@jms920

My husband is 76 and was recently diagnosed. The neurologist thought he had Myasthenia Gravis first. It's definitely challenging.

We just bought a lifting recliner for my husband. It's a godsend.
He still drives and uses the handles inside our SUVto get in and out. So far he's ok getting in and out of bed. On good days he uses a cane, on bad days he uses a rollator and if were going somewhere with a lot of walking he uses a scooter.
Wishing you the best.

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Hello @jms920 and welcome to the Parkinson's support group on Mayo Connect. Your post indicates that your husband's diagnosis has changed. Has he now been diagnosed with Parkinson's?

Has he been given a referral to physical therapy? If not, this would be a good plan for him. How are you doing with this extra task as a caregiver?

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sillyblone | @sillyblone | Apr 12 12:29am

I showed my husband how to hold on the top of his legs and use your legs to stand up. He is able to stand up without unsteadiness. A trick I learned when taking care of my brother while he was recovering from quadruple bypass heart surgery. It helped them both. My brother has Parkinsons Stage 5. He has Lewy Body Disease. He started his symptoms around 2012. He is in Palletive Care. He is only 67 yo. My husband was diagnosed in 2018. My Dad died from complications of Parkinsons. I truly despise this illness. Hugs to you both

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lauriesgmk | @lauriesgmk | Apr 17 4:17pm

Cindy, my husband, 78, was just diagnosed with Early Stage Parkinsons. I'm shocked and still processing because both of us are youthful and healthy. Aging is necessary, but I thought we would not have to deal with this. The doctor was only encouraged because he is in good shape; however, how does one assess or understand what the future looks like? Is it 5 years, 10 years? What is the progression? And will staying active keep the disease at bay or is it inevitable? I am reaching out to you, because... I don't know why really. Any suggestions?

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cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Apr 18 6:43am

My husband was diagnosed about 9 years ago and I would consider his progression to be slow. He is nearly 75 now and in addition to tremor, he does suffer from urinary issues, constipation, general weakness and balance concerns. BUT he is still driving and played golf (poorly) yesterday.

I guess my main advice is to exercise. I finally convinced my husband to try the boxing for Parkinson’s patients in addition to working with a trainer and going to a gym. Many people say that boxing ism”life changing”.

Be regular with medication and do your best to maintain a positive attitude. Don’t look too far down the road. I recently joined a PD support group and have found it helpful, even through it can also be a bit depressing.

Best wishes to both of you.
Cindy

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 18 7:21am
In reply to @cmdw2600 "My husband was diagnosed about 9 years ago and I would consider his progression to be..." + (show)
@cmdw2600

My husband was diagnosed about 9 years ago and I would consider his progression to be slow. He is nearly 75 now and in addition to tremor, he does suffer from urinary issues, constipation, general weakness and balance concerns. BUT he is still driving and played golf (poorly) yesterday.

I guess my main advice is to exercise. I finally convinced my husband to try the boxing for Parkinson’s patients in addition to working with a trainer and going to a gym. Many people say that boxing ism”life changing”.

Be regular with medication and do your best to maintain a positive attitude. Don’t look too far down the road. I recently joined a PD support group and have found it helpful, even through it can also be a bit depressing.

Best wishes to both of you.
Cindy

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Hello @cmdw2600

Your comments about exercise, a positive attitude as well as medication are very important with a PD diagnosis. Medication alone is generally not enough. Exercise adds value to other PD treatment modalities.

Did your husband ever have the Big and Loud physical therapy?

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1 reply
cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Apr 19 6:42am
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @cmdw2600 Your comments about exercise, a positive attitude as well as medication are very important..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @cmdw2600

Your comments about exercise, a positive attitude as well as medication are very important with a PD diagnosis. Medication alone is generally not enough. Exercise adds value to other PD treatment modalities.

Did your husband ever have the Big and Loud physical therapy?

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No, he hasn't, but I wish he would. He speaks very softly and I frequently ask him to repeat himself, which is frustrating for both of us.

Thanks for the reminder!

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 19 9:31am
In reply to @cmdw2600 "No, he hasn't, but I wish he would. He speaks very softly and I frequently ask..." + (show)
@cmdw2600

No, he hasn't, but I wish he would. He speaks very softly and I frequently ask him to repeat himself, which is frustrating for both of us.

Thanks for the reminder!

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@cmdw2600

Here is link to a YouTube video that you might use at home to help your husband,
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?
LSVT combines two different therapies. "Big" is to increase the size of the physical movements and "Loud" is the speech part of the program that helps PD patients to speak louder. Parkinson's generally affects both movements as well as voice.

You might consider asking your husband's neurologist for a referral to a physical therapist who can work with your husband.

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