Our Sarasota Experiment – Part Two

One of the big advantages to being in Sarasota has been the ability to exercise. I am able to exercise at least an hour a day, 5 – 6 days a week which has helped me keep my PD symptoms in a holding pattern.  We try to play tennis everyday when possible, and I continue to do Pedaling for Parkinson’s twice a week.  In addition we go spend an hour a week at PD in Motion, Let Your Yoga Dance, Easy Yoga and Fundamentals of Movement classes. When time permits, we also try to spend at least one hour a week at the gym with the weight machines pumping some iron!

While all of this exercise has helped me to slow my PD progression, I started noticing that I would be walking with my arms out front and I would become more rigid about 30 – 45 minutes before my next medication dose was due.  So, after slightly over two years on the same dose, I contacted my neurologist and we agreed to increase my Sinement from 1 to 1.5 tablets 4 times a day. It’s been about a week since the change and I have already noticed reduced rigidity and the arm swing is back to almost normal, and I am hopeful that I can go another 2+ years before I have to change it again.

We have  really enjoyed playing tennis.  I had never played before we took lessons in December and was surprised at how much I enjoy it.  We took more lessons in January and Mara attends a tennis clinic put on by Barb, our superb instructor, twice a week while I am pedaling then we practice most afternoons at the courts here in the complex for up to an hour and a half.  We are also part of a group that meets once a week for doubles where we rotate in and out of the games depending on how may players show up.  I’m sure we will be on the ATP tour soon!

We have enjoyed our time here in Sarasota and in being able to take part in all of the opportunities being here has provided, not only for PD, but other venues such as the Selby Botanic Gardens, the various beaches, fishing in Sarasota Bay and more.  At this point we are planning to renew our lease on the townhouse so we can continue to take part in all that the area offers, particularly for PwP’s.

Speaking of opportunities, next week we will attend the Davis Phinney Victory Summit event in Punta Gorda,about an hour south of Sarasota.  Many of the Pedaling for Parkinson’s participants will also be going and we are looking forward to attending this great event for the second time. You can read about our first visit here.

And finally you might have noticed the Top 50 Parkinson’s Blog badge on the right which wouldn’t have been possible without you, my loyal readers and followers.  Thank you!