Hubby with Parkinsons Disease

[selfraising]

Hi my hubby was diagnosed 2 years ago with relatively early onset parkinsons disease. I'm wondering if he would benefit from gardening? Anyone got any experience of this illness? I feel frustrated that I can't help.

[piskieinboots]

what a bummer

I don't know much about it to be honest, but surely it couldn't hurt him, it gives benefits to many with many 'conditions'

[selfraising]

Was a bit, we got married 6 months after diagnosis. I find gardening a huge therapy for me but I'll have to try and persuade him, he's lost a fair bit of confidence. This forums great though, I can talk about my favourite subject, gardening, and not feel isolated.

[lainey lou]

Hi Selfraising.
Sorry to hear your husband has Parkinsons, that's a really tough one for both of you.
I guess if he wants to give gardening a go it wont do him any harm, it may well relax him and give you a joint interest. How well controlled is the disease?

[selfraising]

Not very at the moment. I think he feels like a human guinea pig, on his sixth lot of drugs and the side-effects are not too great either but I'm sure we'll get there! I think it would do him good. I find if I go in the garden I can lose myself in amongst the veg and plants (not cos it's overgrown!!!)

[lainey lou]

I find if I go in the garden I can lose myself in amongst the veg and plants (not cos it's overgrown!!!)

Me too! I can spent hours pootling around.

Sorry about your husbands medication, I think it can be quite difficult to get right and as you said the side effects can be horrible.

So do you think you can persuede him into the garden?
Why not ask him for his opinion on veg varieties etc, see if it sparks an interest?

Good luck.

[lynda66]

if you can persuade him then go for it, with most conditions keeping active helps, in the long term, make sure he doesn't overdo it, but other than that, the fresh air and some exercise will do him and his confidence some good.

[bluemoon]

Gardening is wonderful therapy, but not everyone wants to give it a try. Perhaps the fact that you find so much pleasure in it is the best you can hope for. After all, the fact that you are helped so much by your garden probably means that you are more relaxed and positive after an hour or two outdoors, this will mean that you cope better and your OH will reap the benefits of that.

[firstimer1]

Hi, if he enjoys gardening go for it. The gentleman on the plot next to mine has parkinsons also and he spends an awful lot of time on his plot x Belle

[selfraising]

Yeah it does seem to be quite tricky. All trial and error really.

I'm going to try. That's a really good idea about the veg, might give that a try! He does like going into the garden to see what I've done and enjoys eating the produce so we'll see. Thanks for your comments.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Sorry to hear that SR. The grapes on the vine are lovely aren't they? Everyone has such a wide range of experiences Im sure that they'll be able to help. I'm sorry I dont know anything about Parkinsons, but as you say, gardening is very theraputic and Im sure your hubby would enjoy it. Do let everyone know how you get on.

[selfraising]

Thanks DDL will definitely update!

[snuffer]

Hi selfraising. My father has parkinsons, it took a lot of trial and error to get his medication right. He has always gardened and continues to do so. For a chap of his years he is remarkably active. Not only does he look after his own garden he tends ours when we are away from home. He is convinced that his working in the garden aids his condition. If you can get your hubby interested it can't do any harm and may do some good.

[selfraising]

That's really useful to know, thanks. Do you know what medication he's on? It's good to hear that other people with the condition are still getting on with their lives. He does sound a pretty active guy. My hubby at the moment gets tired a lot but not sure if thats down to his medication.

[RedThorn]

Hi there, I am Steve's OH and have just nicked the PC for a minute when I saw your post...

My dad was diagnosed with Parkinsons 8 years ago, and like your hubby took a long time to get the meds right, but they got there in the end. My dad found that gardening amongst other things did help, it meant that he was able to take himself to a place he loved and was also good exercise. This also helped him to keep mentally and physically active which was always recommended.

Other than that I hope that they sort things out for him soon as I know how much better my dad was when they got the medication right for him.

Take care, Jo