Exercise

[Normc]

The key to living with Bronchiectasis seems to be exercise. Has anyone experience of what to do as you get older. I am now 74 & up to now have coped ok using cycling twice a week (20 to 50 miles) plus the twice daily breathing exercise. Lately it’s getting difficult as I feel so tired. I know that for some on this site even riding a bike at all is a dream. Now I am having more infections. Any ideas.

Normc

[Kristen48]

Try the BLF homes exercises. They show you three different levels so you can choose which one is right for you. Good luck and take care

[Didgeydo]

Hi

I have the same condition but also bad arthritis which prevents me cycling,I am also in my 70s and find that walking twice a day albeit very slowly,this does help to keep the airways open,even though I have to keep stopping and pretend to admire the view whilst I am getting my breath back.Hope this helps you.

[Redrum46 in reply to Didgeydo]

I’m the same had broncetisis since a child 73 naw arthritis is bad even my feet back of knee belts out pain all u can do is wot you are doing I do the same and I put a finger on any walls I pass to keep me steady trying to look normal as we go take care we won’t b beaten x

[Izb1]

Hi Normc, I find the key to living with bronchiectasis is daily lung clearance, if I dont do this then I end up coughing alot more and this helps to tire you. I also think as you get older your body needs a bit of help with supplements like vit d/c , or maybe a tonic sometimes helps x

[Mooka]

Hi Normc

I do a Pilates class once a week initially this was to help my sciatica but we also do a few breathing exercises during the class. It involves a lot of stretching but doesn’t take too much of my previous energy. Good luck I hope you find something that suit you.

[peege]

I was just listening to Dr Sarah Jarvis on radio 2 talking about T.a.T = tired all the time.

She advocates exercise as one of the best remedies for tiredness, however difficult it might be to drag oneself off the sofa. There's always something that we can do even if it's only using good posture, breathing techniques and gentle stretching from the sitting position.

The BLF DVD is excellent, I thoroughly recommend it.

[Normc]

Thanks everyone I have looked at the BLF exercises & think that I will try them as little & often may be preferable to the 2 to 5 hours I have been doing twice a week. I was given exercises by the hospital when I was diagnosed in 2014 but opted for the bike as it’s my hobby anyway. Plus you can do the BLF ones inside when it’s cold like now. I am lifelong asthmatic so cold affects me. Thanks again

Norm c