Able to exercise, but readings so low, Don't understand.

[Brian23]

Wow, during my wifit plus exercising this morning I managed to complete 1 hours exercise which included 24 minutes of running ( 8 x 3 minutes ) whilst holding a conversation with my wife, my peak heart rate was 141 bpm, I didn't feel breathless at all and felt l could have carried on if my legs held out. Amazing I have not managed to do that in a while !!

Feeling that surely my lung function readings have improved I checked and my FEV1 was 0.89. 28% and peak flow 250. I really fail to understand how my readings are so low and yet can exercise at that level.

[Hidden]

It's how you feel that matters forget the numbers if your exercises are beneficial to you then keep going with what your doing enjoy it....x

[GeorginaS]

Hi Brian

Last time I had a lung function test the guy doing it said...(my version of what he said)

......that everything is interconnected so heart pumping well helps circulate blood and good muscle strength means blood being used more efficiently overall keeping lungs exercised makes everything ‘work’ more smoothly together. Breathlessness is a sign of things not working 'as well' together. The point is that damaged lungs can function ok as long as other parts are helping it compensating for the damage....,

Like I said...my version ...might be interesting to you.

[Brian23 in reply to GeorginaS]

Thanks Georginas, that is very interesting, Thank you

[Twoose]

My readings are also low and don't appear to have changed despite walking everyday ang going to the gym 3 times a week. But I don't care about numbers it's what I can do that matters. I look at my exercise as the equivalent of stopping at base camp for those wanting to climb Everest. They stop there to acclimatise to lower oxygen levels at height, so they can go on and get to the top. I cannot heal my lungs but I can get my body used to the fact that they don't work well and make the rest of my body as fit as possible so that it can work as well as possible in my own thin air situation. I hope that makes sense and helps. Keep going it's good for you

[GeorginaS in reply to Twoose]

I totally agree with you. My GP said... just because you’ve been given a label you don’t have to be the label. Made sense to me 😜

[Brian23 in reply to GeorginaS]

Yes it does. 👍

[Brian23 in reply to Twoose]

Thank you so much for your comments. Over the last couple of days trying to research this I have found many people agreeing with you on this, it is not about the numbers it is how you feel and what you can do that matters. I am feeling a lot more positive about my situation now, after being told on Friday that my readings now show me as very severe COPD. I have always exercised on a daily basis but got very breathless after about 30mins. I am hoping that the change of meds is making the difference for me as today I managed to exercise for a full hour with no sign of breathlessness again !

Once again thank you for taking the time to post !

[jackdup in reply to Brian23]

Can I ask what kind of medication you were changed to?

Thank you

[Brian23 in reply to jackdup]

Yes of course, my new meds are: Fostair 200/6 and ventolin as a reliever.

[jackdup in reply to Brian23]

Thanks, it seems to have done wonders for you.

[Brian23 in reply to jackdup]

Yes it seems to have, fingers crossed it keeps on working !