Lethargy

[Pantani]

Since I was diagnosed with COPD I've become less interested in doing things I used to enjoy. How do I get motivated again?

[Lynda1952]

sorry but I am the same. Hopefully someone will come up with a good solution to it xx

[Jjude]

I use uplifting music, sunshine, and make myself think positively. Set myself small goals and achieve them, reward? cup of tea and a feeling of satisfaction.

Always look for the good in everything, no negativity.

xxx

[Magpuss]

I frequently feel the same, and I've no idea how to overcome it but I've found a way to 'sort of' get round it. First I have to ignore how I feel and start doing something, it doesn't matter what - as long as I make a start I can usually get caught up in whatever it is. I've found the worst thing I can do is think about why I feel so lethargic. It doesn't really matter how I feel or why, as long as I'm not feeling ill I'm capable of doing 'something', and Jude is right, there's a sense of satisfaction and achievement that comes from small victories and that in itself is something to feel good about. If you can make yourself make a start and keep on doing that, it might work for you too.

[Jjude]

Strangely enough this is what has just popped up on my FB newsfeed. Thought Id pop it in here as I believe we are what we eat. Its just getting the correct balance.

mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/heal...

xx

[RibvanRey]

An extremely common phase to go through. Not nice. In fact it is very unpleasant. What I would suggest is to look at what have you lost interest in. What you have lost an actual ability to do. Etc. I found that my would changed so catastrophically that it was difficult to identify just how much I would be able to even contemplate.

So when I was diagnosed with COPD it did not really do more than put a label onto the reasons why I had slowly lost my ability to stay awake and watch a film. That I was far to tired all the time, etc. I found the diagnosis made it easier for me to accept these extra restrictions in my life. After all, compared to the adjustments that I had had to make previously the shortness of breathe was not monumental.

I focused more of spending my energy more evenly (that was a challenge). I spent more time doing things that did not sap or take my energy, and the things that were taking too much out of me i spent less time doing but did those things more often.

The thing that I made certain that I did do was to spend more time on Breathing Exercises. There is an excellent motive in doing these in that they help one live longer and slow down (and for some patients even stop the progress of) the COPD.

I cannot suggest things that you can do with your time as although we are of the same gender and a similar age I have no idea what your interest were. If I suggest that some guys scale things down to a more manageable size. Instead of building things they take up modelling. 1/48 scale bricks are too fiddly for my fingers. One of our members here on BLF has taken up playing the flute. He is doing well and it is improving his breathing. I play guitar so I always have a challenge - if I can be bothered to make the effort. Some days it is hard.

Fortunately I love reading. Although my eye gets tired easily and it is usually during the long sleepless nights that I want the distraction of a good story. So I have a regular supply of Audio Books free from the Public Library. I have used these right back to the 80's when they were all on cassette. Thank goodness for the MD and CD. I load my machine pre-bedtime and then the book will play non-stop for 320 mins.

Sometimes I spend hours here. I type away on my smartphone with one finger, and a reply can take an hour. Whoosh! The evening has gone.

I do hope that you get through this low spot. You are welcome to PM me if you want a man to man rant. I wont take it personally. We all need to be able to let out the pressure some times.

Kind regards, Rib

[Hidden in reply to RibvanRey]

Great reply Rib xx

[Hidden]

I get like that when I am depressed. And if youve only recently been told this, its a lot for you to come to terms with. Have a chat with your gp but meanwhile this "quiz" will help find out if that could be the problem nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/depressi... Robin

[piggi]

Funny in some ways this has been good for me - having always been a 'stressy' sort of person - sometimes now I just can't be bothered worrying so much! However the lack of motivation is hard sometimes - I SO wish I could retire and actually at my last birthday they put the age up (I'm coming up 57) so that's not an option. Sometimes I get really depressed and wonder if I'll make it all now - I have stage 3 COPD - and then I wonder if I would manage to get out of bed at all if I didn't have work to do! I try and do SOME exercise every day - it makes me feel better in every way - that's all really. Good answer from Robin I think. Best wishes....you're not alone! xxpiggi

[Ergendl]

Hi, Pantani. When I first joined this group I wasn't fit at all because I had stopped doing things through breathlessness and hyperventilating. Anything needing effort was a challenge. Lots of posts said it was important to get as fit as you can, but I couldn't face going to the gym.

So I got out an old pedometer and started to use that. I discovered that I often only walked 2500 steps a day. So I tried to do 3000 steps a day. When I was managing that I put it up again, and now my lowest steps day is 5500.

I also asked my GP to let me go on a pulmonary rehab course, where I was shown how to exercise safely with COPD and how I could do a lot more than I thought. When that finished I was offered exercise on prescription (gym and swim for 12 weeks for £12) and I've just started that.

And now 8 months later I feel much more energetic, and things needing effort are far less of a challenge.

Try starting small and building up slowly.

[Pantani]

Thanks for all of the replies. I managed a walk yesterday and felt good though I was a bit breathless. I'm determined to get off my backside and do my exercises today and try to get into a regime of exercise.

[Jjude in reply to Pantani]

Well done, small steps lead to giant results xx

[Pantani in reply to Jjude]

I went to a rehab drop in today and thoroughly enjoyed the exercises. Also enjoyed a meal with my bowling team this evening.