Swimming Wth Copd

[Parvati]

For anyone interested heres my latest bog - Swimming with copd:copdinfocus.blogspot.co.uk/...

[sassy59]

Very inspirational Parvati and good to see that swimming has really started to help you with your lungs and breathing. Pete tried the hydrotherapy pool at our local hospital but his back pain (due to have spinal cord stimulator fitted sometime hopefully soon when heart is working better) was too bad to really continue. I hope that when he is doing better, he can go swimming as he doesn't have oxygen at the moment and it could be very beneficial. Thanks for your interesting post and stay well. xxxx

[Parvati in reply to sassy59]

Hi Sassy - thank you for your kind response. I hope they are able to sort Pete's back pain out soon - it's bad enough having breathing problems without pain being added to the mix! Best wishes to both of you (and have a lovely Xmas!) Vanessa xxx

[sassy59 in reply to Parvati]

Thank you very much and hope you have a lovely Christmas too. Carole xx

[Hidden]

Hi Parvati, last I heard of you was the journey back from Madrid ( which sounded a bit nightmarish) and I was wondering what you were up to these days. The swimming sounds great - a real stessbuster as well as benefitting your breathing and most importantly, enjoyable as well. I know we all tryto ignore the numbers but that improvement in your fev 1 is very inspirational. Am I right in thinking that you don't worry about mid to high 80s sats during exercise ?

I had a second 6minute walk test during my recent stay in hospital and this time ( after loads of practice and doing pursed lip breathing while walking) I only desatted to 89 and came back to 90 on the sixth minute. So for the moment I am not on 02 after all. I'm trying to get an exercise routine going with walking and exercise bike, but if I see the sats drop under 90 I panic and stop.

I was amazed that you managed the journey to Madrid on 02 by yourself. You certainly set a great example for all of us here to follow. Well done and continued success with the swimming and all your other projects.

[Parvati in reply to Hidden]

Hi Argana, Regarding sats during exercise - for 'land based' activity I aim to stay around 92 - 94% and if the numbers start to drop then I up the litres on my oxygen. With the pool I try to stay within range - ie at 88% or above - and swimming very slowly can keep me close most of the time. Even when I drop lower it is only for say 20 seconds at a time as a length takes me 40 seconds to swim and I don't desaturate until I am a third to half way - so long as I don't speed up too much - which is always a temptation of course. I don't know what country you are in or what the 02 provision is like, but if you desaturate just doing a walk test I would imagine that exercise would cause even greater saturation and you would probably be much better off with 02 for exercise. Is there any chance of that do you think if you push for it and explain that you would exercise more if you could keep your sats within the recommended range? Other than that, I hope you are keeping well and that you have a lovely xmas

[Hidden in reply to Parvati]

Home Oxygen, I've been told at the hospital, is very strictly regulated and will only be considered after 3 consecutive 6MWTs with a result of 85 or below. To be honest, I think my first test result was a fluke and the second one also. However, after this 14-day IV session, I am significantly better, so as long as this lasts I'm happy enough to go on as I am. Now that I have the oxymetre I can keep an eye on my sats and don't do anything that brings me below 90. I walked on Sunday for 45 minutes and didn't go under 90 and for now that level of exercise suits me fine. While in hospital I used oxygen at night for the first 4 or 5 nights and found it very beneficial. But as my resting sats are usually around 96 there's no way they'll prescribe nightime 02. I'm sure I'll end up with it soon enough but for now I'm happy to be able to manage without it. Have a great Christmas and continued good luck with your swimming.

[Nanny49]

Thanks for sharing, Parvati. My FEV1 is 33% at the moment so exercise is difficult. I did try swimming earlier this year, but stupidly thought I'd do a length. My word - I thought I was going to die!! Couldn't draw breath. Your post has made me think maybe I should try again - but half a width sounds almost manageable!! Maybe even 1/3? Will certainly give it a go. Use the treadmill a lot - don't go out much in this cold weather as it takes my breath, but will consider the pool when the weather is a little kinder. Thanks again.

[Parvati in reply to Nanny49]

Hi Nanny - good on you doing the treadmill! I think with exercise we should do what we enjoy and feel safe with. If you really like the water then by all means give it another try next summer - remember you don't have to swim - even walking around in it is beneficil as you are walking against the resistance of the water. Also there is no reason why you can't use a float or even a swim ring - you would find it much less effort, have a lovely time and could stil get some 'leg action' in. If you have family or a good friend perhaps you could go together? Another option is 'classes'. Maybe your pool has gentle exercise classes for over 50's etc. Mine has a couple of sessions a week like that. Good luck in al that you do and have a lovely xmas

[jimmyw123]

i like the photo, makes me want to jump in i went to the pool regular many years ago as i have ankylosing spondylitis, but even this has progressed to a fairly fused spine, i cant lift my head above the water when attempting to swim, but i used to walk through the water, to a breadth of the pool, hard work, but i'm afraid i couldn't manage this now, for various health reasons,, but swimming is great exercise jimmy

[Parvati in reply to jimmyw123]

Sorry to hear about the ankylosing spondylitis as well as your other troubles Jim - I came across that a few times in my 'previous life' as a remedial / sports massage therapist. As for wanting to jump in seeing the picture of the pool - i know exactly what you mean - I always did wish I had my swim stuff with me whenever I saw water since childhood. I was always the one to 'accidentally fall in' when my parents took us to the park - yes, even the duck pond was irresistable and I had many a cuff around the ear for it! Stay well Jim and have a stupendous xmas

[frances21]

Inspiring. I swim a lot too, and it has really improved by FEV1, but find i get infections in the winter - any suggestions?

[Parvati in reply to frances21]

Not sure if you mean infections generally or swimming. As regards swimming I do avoid the changing/ showering area as much as I can by changing before I go and only having the briefest 'rinse off' post swim. I shower properly at home - I also take the hand gel with me. That said, many COPD'ers use Gym's which are said to be the most germ ridden places of all - which is why I exercise at home or outdoors. The supermarket seems to be the biggest germ place at the moment - it was jam packed yesterday and then the checkout girl was coughing and sneezing and wiping her hand down her front - find it hard to totally escape the bugs from now until spring. I did buy a little book a couple of years ago - 'The Germ Freak's Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu' - that was an eye opener and a handy read - in fact I managed not to catch a cold once last year despite my daughter being home with a stinker! Have a happy germ free xmas

[onamission]

I go to the local council gym they have a pool so I go twice a week now it used to be 3 times but I found I couldn't do it my lungs are really bad at the moment I had a lot of flair ups / infections this year but I do agree it is very good for you

[Parvati in reply to onamission]

Hi, yes my pool is the local concil one and has a gym - although I avoid the gym and exercise at home. Sorry you are having flair ups and hope you are better soon and have a happy healthier xmas

[onamission in reply to Parvati]

Thank you, I also avoid the gym I have lower back problems so the only exercise I can do is in water

[Sohara]

You are AMAZING....I am totally impressed...you are a true inspiration to others Parvati.

It just shows what can be done.....

I don't actually swim myself, but I can fully endorse the results that come from exercise.

For decades I did not do anything too energetic...as I had limited lung capacity due to having the bottom lobe taken out of both of my lungs when a teenager..

BUT this was the very worst thing that I could have done....we need to exercise...to get SOB....to stretch ourselves ...since I learned this a couple of years ago...I have made great strides forward in improving my lung capacity...but mostly in stopping the decline in lung function

WONDERFUL post...should be compulsory reading for all COPD ers

Love Sohara

[Parvati in reply to Sohara]

Hi Sohara - I wouldn't want to be compulsory reading for anyone LOL! Also I have been getting some feedback from respiratory nurses and physios 'up north' who have been following my blog and apparantly in some areas they are encouraging patients to take up swimming or aquacise even to the extent of them having a 'free pass' - I wish we had that down here - it costs me a fair bit in taxis and membership fees!

Sorry I haven't been in touch lately - we will have to have a PM meet up soon with 'the gals' and catch up before xmas - hope you are keeping well Big hug, Vanessa xx

[jenss]

Hi Parvati, I used to love swimming and need to get back to it. Tell me the pool in your photo, where is that? Is that your private pool or a public pool? Keep up the good work. Take care lovexxx

[Parvati in reply to jenss]

H Jenss - Err - no it's not my private pool though I would certainly love to have one if ever i won the lottery! It is the local council pool and gym/ leisure centre . Have a good xmas