Stories

How easy it is to begin a day with an exercise program that gives me immediate satisfying results. I call it “instant gratification,” and that is what I experience when I use the Theracycle.

After experiencing months dealing with balance and gait issues, and suffering from many falls, in August of 2013 at the age of 68, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Medication was prescribed, which seemed to help, but I continued to have occasional minor falls. At this time, the presence of Bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremors in my left hand were subtle. As these symptoms became more noticeable in 2015, another medication was prescribed. This medication does help but is not always effective for me and may wear off sooner than expected.

Through friends and network television news stories, my husband and I became aware of a surprisingly new discovery for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease… The Theracycle. Both of us were very skeptical, but out of curiosity, we decided to research the bike and subsequently ordered it in the spring of 2016. When the bike arrived, I immediately began a passive regimen each day of cycling for 20-30 minutes at 12 mph. Within 2-3 weeks, I experienced improvement in my balance and have had no falls since I began using the Theracycle.

Within the past six months, I have discovered that the Theracycle helps my medication become effective quicker and last a little longer between doses. I now cycle for 60 minutes each day (a 10 minute warm-up, 40 minutes of voluntary cycling at 15 mph, followed by a 10 minute cool-down). I wish I could say the Theracycle has replaced my medication, but that is not the case. However, riding it for 15 minutes or so will “jump start” a dose of medication that is taking longer than it should to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of rigidity and Bradykinesia. The Theracycle has become my “break through” prescription when I am experiencing “off” times with my ropinirole and carbidopa/levodopa.

The Theracycle was a sizable investment for my husband and me, but the benefits have far outweighed the cost. During the past 12 months, walking two blocks at one time has increased to almost two miles. The tremors in my left hand are almost non-existent. My medications work more efficiently. I have been able to continue my work as a part-time pharmacist technician. My strength, mobility, endurance and energy have all greatly improved, and at an age of almost 72, I feel much healthier than I did one year ago. I contribute all of these quality of life improvements to the Theracycle… which I now call my “Wonder Drug”!

— Willodean H., High Point, NC