Who do you ask when specialists only seem to speak within their box?

Keep up with the cardio and all of the exercises as long as you can. As my PD progresses I am loosing/have lost motivation to do any exercises.

Hello @janna2 and welcome to Mayo Connect. Exercise is an important treatment for PD. As your cardiologist is suggesting you take it easy it might be goid to ask him or her for specific guidelines regarding exercise.

Have you been offered a referral for PT for your Parkinson's? Many physical therapists are specifically trained in the Big and Loud program which is very good for PD patients. Please ask about this and see if it is available.

@ hopeful33250- thank you, I will look into Big and Loud. My next chat with the neurologist is in a couple of days, which I expect to get the whole spiel from her specialties perspective. It will be interesting if she has anything to add to what I’ve already read. The cardiologist said the same thing we can all look up on the internet, don’t push yourself, don’t lift too much (my weight, cholesterol, and bloodwork are all good-never smoked or drank after my early 20s). Seriously I wish I had never had the PET- just gave them one more Dr to poke and prod me.

Pt 2. I have just read up on the Big and Loud program you recommended, and sometimes serendipity is down right spooky. Maybe the body knows before the head accepts. I am already going as big as I can in my water aerobics, since I feel safe in the water. I make sure there is plenty of room around me so I can extend as far as I can (it makes my stiff muscles happy). Half the people around me have hearing problems (yeah I’m that age) so I have been working on projecting my voice to the point that my friends with good hearing tell me I can tone it down.🤣. Who knew it was PT. Thank you again

Hello.
Do you have a cardiac condition that is contraindicated for exercise. If not exercise is great idea for Parkinsons. It did wonders for my spouse and made him stronger for a longer time. My spouse had to have an evaluation at a rehab facility to make sure he was able to start going to a Parkinsons related workout at our local YMCA. Water aerobics are not lifting weights. The water is a great idea. That was one of the areas where my spouse was assessed for . If you don't feel like you are getting the advice you need ..get a second opinion. The YMCA had a Physical Therapist watching over those who had Parkinsons and so was I. I could go as his caregiver. I spotted him. We had a great outcome for us both. But unfortunately the Pandemic came. He went back for almost a year and could not keep up as he had progressed with his Parkinsons. If zI had listened to his Neurologist and not done my own research he would not have had this experience. Be proactive for yourself as you are your best advocate.

I’m sorry for your loss, thank you for your good advice.
The lack of direction from the doctors is disappointing to say the least. I’m a nerdy task oriented person, there is nothing I personally can do at the moment about the lymphoma or the 4.4 ascending aortic aneurysm. I’ve decided the Parkinson’s is the battle I’m going to engage for now; or for as long as I can stand. I’ve started going in 30 minutes early before my water aerobics, + walking on the alternate days. + Signed up for a balance class.