Walking

[Duff1953]

Can anyone tell me how far I should be able to walk very severe copd duff

[K-Kilcoyne]

As far as you feel able, I am mild certainly but I don't think that there is a specific distance, if you can push a little more every now and then that's great but don't push till you hurt. It's totally up to you and how you feel.

[mick5 in reply to K-Kilcoyne]

Always remember you have to walk there and back.

[2greys]

The more you, do the more you can do. It really is that simple. At the very severe (stage 4) you will need to monitor your spO2 level and not let it get lower than 89% for any extended time, if it does and you are on oxygen then you will need an O2 review and have the flow increased. If you are not on oxygen and it dips below 89% then you will need to have an O2 assessment.

I still regularly walk 2 1/2 miles, sometimes 5 miles with a 31% lung function, almost at stage 4. But I have been doing this for almost 2 years now and my muscles use less oxygen for the same effort. By using my rescue inhaler first I can keep my O2 at around 92%, although my heart rate is around 145 bpm.

I make it sound easy, but the fact is I was diagnosed when severe, so I had been living and working for many years with the disease and like many others thought the symptoms were just old age so I just increased my physical efforts to compensate, which I continued to do after diagnosis instead of becoming a couch potato living in shock and fear. There are instances of people actually doing a marathon whilst using oxygen, but do not try doing that without dedicated training and a support team. Just build up distance steadily and slowly, keeping an eye on your spO2 level.

[Hidden in reply to 2greys]

Well said 2greys xx

[music in reply to 2greys]

Hi 2greys

I always enjoy reading about you find your posts and info very intresting and think that you seem to be doing ok in the way you work and get about a lot with a 31% lung funtion...gives me hope

Just hope i can still do some of the things you can still do when i get to that stage.

May i ask if you were still smoking when you were diagnosed at severe stage if not how long had you been stopped.

You seem to be doing all the right things..keep it up

Good luck and best wishes

Music

[2greys in reply to music]

I had stopped smoking for 7 weeks before being diagnosed, not quite out of choice, but because I was unable to, I was that ill. When given the diagnosis and realised how serious the illness was, I was determined to quit permanently. I have not smoked since. Even though I hate the smell of it now and repulsed by it, I still get that occasional urge, but I know that if I did I would end up with an uncontrollable cough, having experienced second hand smoke. 2 1/2 years free of the weed, an ex smoker, 2 1/2 years to go to be classed as a non smoker.

[Hidden in reply to 2greys]

Hi 2greys, you are doing well, may i ask at what age and how long have you been diagnosed x

[2greys in reply to Hidden]

Diagnosed first at A&E in June 2016 @ 65 years, diagnosis confirmed as severe that July. Fortunately upon research found being active and exercising was the way to go before packing up working and retiring, so just carried on. Of course carrying on was easy, being self employed, only I can sack me. 5 months later I found this forum.

[Hidden in reply to 2greys]

Thanks for that info 2greys, i myself am 56 and just been diagnosed severe, but am fortunate to not really having any symptoms, always keep busy and like you am self employed, just carrying on as normal and trying to increase the excercise. Whatever you are doing is working for you. A pma works wonders as well xx

[2greys in reply to Hidden]

Welcome to the sick workers club, not too many of us at stage 3 or 4. I hope you can keep it up, it is part of having a PMA, the living a relatively normal lifestyle.

[claque in reply to 2greys]

Hi 2greys

I am at stage 4 (around 22%) and on oxygen 24/7. You state not to let spO2 level drop to below 89% for any extended period but what would you regard as an extended period. Having had frequent hospitalisations this year because of pneumonia/infections/fluid build up and clots in the lungs I have become severely de-conditioned and my levels frequently drop , sometimes to below 80%, on exertion . On resting I can usually get them back up to 90/92% within a few minutes. Would you regard this as acceptable?

[2greys in reply to claque]

Another how long is a piece of string question. The only people who can answer that are your doctors or o2 nurse, a lot does depend on any other conditions you have. Just ask the question direct, to your doctors. The fact that your o2 levels go back up quickly is very encouraging and probably acceptable.

[corriena]

The more often you walk the further you will be able to walk. We are all different and you will lern your own capabilities with time and effort. Getting out of breath on exercise is not harmful to us but can be scary so learn to pace yourself and go as far as you can at your own speed

[Hidden]

Hi Duff when walking out always remember you have to do the same distance coming back, so if you are like me fatigue sets in after a bit and the legs just don't want to move any more. I am not on oxygen and levels are ok but still I experience these symptoms.

The other thing (if you are like me) is walking out in cold weather, high humidity weather , rain or shine, and extremely hot weather affects my airways and makes walking a lot more difficult as does pollution levels whether that be traffic fumes dust or pollen.

So basically just take it steady. If you have de conditioned and house bounds for some time, initially start with 2 mins walk out and 2 mins back, increasing that to 5 mins each way, then 7, 10 and 15 mins each way etc. If you are pretty confident already you can do 10 mins each way just build on that.

[Duff1953 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you bkin

[Ragrug]

Hi all...I can't walk very much due to severe arthritis however I do go to my local indoor heated pool and do 30 minutes of walking there ....well about

20 the rest of the time I do home made exercises and sing badly as I go along.It does make me feel good

SO Worth a try if you have walking problems

Best wishes to all

Ragrug