I have had asthma for 60 years and wa... - Lung Conditions C...

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I have had asthma for 60 years and was diagnosed with bronciectasis 10 years ago so started treadmill and yoga.

11 years ago•20 Replies

I now am able to walk fast for 2-3 miles and my symptoms are very well controlled. I recently qualified as a yoga teacher. How good is that with only 45% lung capacity? My GP and local hospital have been great. There is life after diagnosis.

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Stanton-Miracle

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20 Replies

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coastal111 years ago

I was diagnosed with copd 55% lung function last October . Had smoked fo 48 years but quit in November . My cough and frequent chest infections disappeared at this point . Have always been reasonably fit and my doctor says that this is now helping to compensate for the lack of lung function.

I too am able to walk a good few miles ( on the flat ) without shortness of breath , in fact managed 6 miles today along a coastal path with lovely fresh sea air and sunshine . However I am tired tonight ! .Recently started pilates and really enjoy it.

Big congratulations on becoming a yoga instructor .As you say there is life after diagnosis . I am 63 and following the "smoking quit " and increase in exercise I actually feel fitter than I have for years . I have put on over a stone in weight which will need to be tackled at some point. However as someone once posted on here weight can be reduced but lung damage can't be repaired. This helps to keep me off cigarettes .

Cheers Coastal .

Stanton-Miracle• in reply tocoastal111 years ago

Fantastic Coastal1. Keep at it. Quit the fags - they are undoubtably the worst thing we can do to our bodies. Keep moving!

coastal1• in reply toStanton-Miracle11 years ago

I haven't had a cigarette for over 6 months now. Not always easy but the health benefits have been unexpectedly good.

11 years ago

Congrats to you(& coastal!) Lovely to read such an uplifting post.You look a picture of health too! Having a good Doc. & hospital is a great blessing too, xx

dido5311 years ago

That's great can I ask what type of yoga as I am interested in trying some.?

Stanton-Miracle• in reply todido5311 years ago

Hi Dido thanks for replying. Hatha yoga, but be cautious in finding a good teacher. If you want to try some, may I suggest you look online and you can build a programme to do at home. You may find some classes too strenuous, as I have in the past. Keep looking for someone who is empathetic to breathing problems. When you find a good teacher, keep going and they will help you. You can then do a bit each day. Some of the more strenuous postures may not for us and I find impossible to combine breath with postures, therefore defeating the object. Good luck.

knitter11 years ago

I have been to yoga classes off and on for 27years now....I have been very wheezy with a low peak flow for days , but decided I would try my class anyway. I did feel better even though I had a horrible coughing fit when I got home....maybe the downward dog cleared some muck. I always tell my teacher when I feel short of breath, take my medications with me and a cough sweet and water. I love your photo too.

Stanton-Miracle• in reply toknitter11 years ago

Been there and done that! Keep going. Thanks for reply. Namaste...

PollyP11 years ago

Fanflippintastic Stanton Miracle...isn't it just fabulous what we achieve for ourselves

I have been a yoga teacher for 15 years and practiced meditation for 20 years. Diagnosed COPD 49% lung capacity and I wouldn't be without either of these really useful aspects of self care. And even when I was proper poorly I could always do a little bit of yoga, eg arm stretches, ankles rotations etc. For me meditation helps with the horrible soreness of the inflammation which comes with COPD. Now I teach Laughter Yoga too. And of course helping others always is always a help to ourselves.....thanks for your post. Om Shanthi-Unity and Peace x

Stanton-Miracle• in reply toPollyP11 years ago

Great Polly P. I now want to teach yoga to our local Breathe Easy groups. I think there is a need for someone who can relate to breathing problems to show them how to take better care of themselves and learn what to me has been a lifesaver. You're so right, no matter how rotten you feel, you can always do some basic stretches and breathing exercises. Even in a chair or lying in bed. Laughter is essential and my teacher is always looking at me for giggling if I am struggling with a posture. I make her smile! The relaxation and meditate/visualisation techniques are brilliant. Namaste....

PollyP11 years ago

Haha, brilliant lady you are and I wish you all the best with yoga at Breathe Easy...I have found these groups hard going because no one there was very positive and I struggle with negativity. However one thing that I found so great was a local respiratory exercise class, lead by someone with special experience in COPD. Tho now I have moved house that is no longer available to me- Pulmonary rehab exercises help my muscles work more efficiently and the yoga helps with stretching.

Let me relate a tale to you. In 2007 I was in hospital recovering from pneumonia after a yoga trip to India. I used to do some seated yoga stretches on the chair and the relax on the bed. The Ward manager came along and said very sternly 'Come on! Get up off that bed! ' I said ok, although I have done my yoga stretches today, have you?. It was a bit cheeky of me, but the message got through!

I would be very happy to keep in touch with you....and Breath Easy eh?

Stanton-Miracle• in reply toPollyP11 years ago

Yeah, a lot of medical staff can be indifferent. Only we know how bloody awful we can feel when poorly. But I am positive. Some folk can be very negative and if you feel aweful it can make you miserable. I'm on some great drugs now after a lot of tweaking. Who knows what the future holds, just enjoy being well while you can. Stay in touch.

• in reply toStanton-Miracle11 years ago

Stanton, I would love to hear what drugs you're on and as Sally said to Harry 'I'll have what she's having.'

onamission11 years ago

How fantastic like you I have COPD level 4 some years after I was diagnosed I was so lucky I did not get the flu went swimming walking.

I do think you hit the nail on the head when you said your GP and hospital are fantastic and controlling a condition is a group effort. xx

Stanton-Miracle• in reply toonamission11 years ago

Thanks. You have to make a nuisance of yourselves sometimes to get the best treatment.

11 years ago

You're an inspiration Stanton, and you look really healthy in your photo. xx

Stanton-Miracle• in reply to11 years ago

Thanks so much. Smile a lot x

helingmic11 years ago

Yes! Congratulations! Keep inspiring us! I suppose in the photo, you are doing chair yoga!!! Well done!

Stanton-Miracle• in reply tohelingmic11 years ago

Chair yoga drinking iced coffee. Happy days in Corfu last year x

11 years ago

Well done and thanks for the encouragement ! I think lung function in the 40s seems to be easy enough to get by on. Last summer mine was 43 and I was (by my definition anyway) 'completely normal, despite infections etc. Now after six awful months, I shudder to think what it's dropped to. I'm sure your lifestyle and activity will maintain your lung function for a long time. Again, well done and long may this situation last for you.

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