Breathing exercises for COPD

[Aphrodite1]

Hi. Can anyone recommend where to look on this forum for breathing exercises for COPD please. It’s very hot in Cyprus at the moment, 40° and I’m finding it hard to breath.

[stone-UK]

Hi

Starting point.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

You will find several on YouTube

[Aphrodite1 in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you, will take a look

[CSimms452]

Hi there, Aprhrodite1, my hubby Bernie gas been to one of these clases and found it very helpful. Your doctor can advise and aend you to physio at hospital or local to you. You can also get the was free, a DVD on the same subject wich gives the same, exercises and advise. I am sure i saw it on rhe BLF website. Had this DVD last year and we found it usefull to help keep up exercising at home. Wishing you well. Xx

[CSimms452 in reply to CSimms452]

Sorry for typin mistakes

[Aphrodite1 in reply to CSimms452]

I really appreciate your advice and input, but I live in Cyprus and the Physio is dire at the General Hospital where my consultant is and is VERY expensive private, hence my question. Also it’s doubtful they will send a DVD overseas, most UK based websites won’t sadly. But thanks again for the thought X

[CSimms452 in reply to Aphrodite1]

Hmm that a shame you cant get DVD. Do you want me to see if i can get one sent to you? My brother in law Greg and Sue live over there. So i know how hot it is for you. Poor you. Its gone slightly cooler here and gelps, which im sure you are hoping it will for you too. Let me know about DVD. You may have seen Greg, he plays in local clubs as Greg Frey. If you dont, it's worth going be a fun night out for you. If its not too hot. Xx

[Aphrodite1 in reply to CSimms452]

Very kind of you, yes please can you see if you can get a DVD sent over. If you can arrange I will PM my address. I will look out for your brother in law, where on the island is he based?

[Aphrodite1 in reply to CSimms452]

Hi, any luck with th CD you mentioned some time ago please?

[CyprusPat]

Hi. I also live in Cyprus (Larnaca) so pleased to meet you. Which hospital did you visit? Also interested in which inhalers you use. I find staying inside with the ac on or sitting in the pool to keep internal temperature normal helps a bit. This is a very useful site so welcome.

[Aphrodite1 in reply to CyprusPat]

Well hi CyprusPat, how nice to meet a fellow expat. I’ve lived in the Pafos region for 18 years, currently in the village of Tala. My chest consultant is in the Pafos General, he is very good. He prescribed Spiriva and Rolenium steroid. How about you? I am not a fan (excuse the pun) of ac and am happy with ceiling fans. If it gets to 40°+ then I will use the aircon. Like you, I wallow in the pool this weather! After a good wallow, I do exercises for my spine.

Thank you for the welcome and look forward to more chats. X

[CyprusPat in reply to Aphrodite1]

Yes it would be great to speak to a fellow sufferer on the island. I am also not a fan of ac but needs must sometimes. The problem with being outside is the dust. I downloaded the air quality Cyprus app from the AppStore which helps to know whether I'm staying inside or getting in the pool 😂 I was looking at Nicosia general hospital's web site which said they hold pulmonary rehab classes but as I'm finding it difficult to walk across a room at the moment a journey to Nicosia is out of the question.

[Aphrodite1 in reply to CyprusPat]

You asked me and I replied as to the inhalers I was prescribed. I’m interested, as a fellow islander, if you are under the General hospital in Larnaca and which inhalers you have been prescribed? I’m above the humidity line and the air quality is not too bad. I’ve downloaded the air quality Cyprus app but the figures mean nothing to me! It’s got hotter last couple of days, the temperature in my pool is Luke warm and not very refreshing! I wouldn’t go to Nicosia this weather, it’s very hot there just now and I believe not much air to breath! X

[CyprusPat in reply to Aphrodite1]

I've sent you a private message.

[Ergendl]

Look up singing exercises on YouTube. Singing using the diaphragm to breathe is a great way to train the muscles that help you control your breathing. All the best.

[Aphrodite1]

Thanks for the advice, will check out YouTube

[Carkaisabellacolin]

Hi i live in Cyprus as well and i have a physio who recommended using a balloon. Two three times a day blowing it up and then releasing it. Plus lying down flat and breathing in . It really has helped me a lot.

[Aphrodite1 in reply to Carkaisabellacolin]

Interesting. Where are you in Cyprus? I think trying to blow up a balloon might finish me off!

[Carkaisabellacolin in reply to Aphrodite1]

Actually when i first started it was tiring but now i feel i am yrsining myself to breath better. Last week i was really breathless. But after what i have been taught by my physio and doctor i was able to relax my breathing. Taking slower and deeper breaths has helped i still needed my inhaler but the lungs felt relaxed.

I am in limassol 😁

[btown]

Hi Aphrodite1, my doctor recommended Tai Chi to help with my breathing and it's been fantastic, I now do Tai Chi practise daily, you can get it from youtube.

Good luck

T xx

[Aphrodite1 in reply to btown]

Have watched a couple. Would like to give it a go, any recommendations? Thanks brown

[btown in reply to Aphrodite1]

Tai Chi, Chi Kung ( Shibashi) with Mark Peters, it's 18 movements in 2 parts,low impact, this is the one I started with and have been doing it for 18 months, the instruction is very good, I broke it down into 4 movement slices, practised the 1st 4 until I was confident on my own and then added the next 4 movements and so on until I had learned all 18, don't rush it, it's meant to be relaxing and fun, but the results can be amazing,not just for breathing but for the mind, I also do daily meditation wich also helps with breathing and freeing the mind from constant thinking ( no mind ).

Hope this helps Good luck

T xx😊

[Aphrodite1]

Btown, predictive text again!

[Spacecat1]

Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth told this in hospital. I also find singing and humming helps my breathing.drives hubby mad but hes learnt to put up with the singing i know i cant sing says i sound like a strangled cat lol.

[judg69]

Aphrodite1, suggest you ask your Dr to write you a script ( if needed ) for an Aerobika breathing device , then use it diligently through the day , while watching tv and surfing the web. Without question, this little device was essential to my successful recovery from lung surgery for cancer, and again last year after a serious exacerbation of my COPD put me in the hospital for a week and a half. It truly can be a life changer for you. Best Wishes, judg69

[Aphrodite1 in reply to judg69]

Thanks judge69. I will check at the next appointment with my chest doctor, but I’m in Cyprus and not all meds and devices are available. I wish you well and thanks again X

[LauraNJ]

Heat and humidity are difficult for breathing when lungs are not working normal. If you take an inhaled medicine, I try to empty lungs before inhaling as deep as I can and hold it in as my medicine says....for 10 seconds. Doing that twice is exercise a.m. and p.m.. Until the air temp cools, I would sit and exercise lungs, without the medication, in this way.....2 or 3 times every couple hours. When weather gets cool, we all need to do a routine of exercise 3 x a week starting very gradual and each week add a little more time. Find gentle exercises online holding a 1 lb. weight in each hand. Do 10 x each to start. Do a gentle walk....40' and back....just once.... for awhile before you advance to twice. Make up your own routine for 1/2 hour to start. VERY slowly over weeks advance all that to a total of 1 hr for your routine. Do a little bicycling if you have one. Do standing in place exercise with the hand weights. At all times, breathe in thru the nose and breathe out with your lips in position of whistling.