COPD pain in legs while walking

Hi, I've just joined this group and wonder if anyone else has the same issues when walking. I have Emphysema, diagnosed 4 years ago and increased in severity. I can't walk far without stopping to rest, but within a few minutes of walking I get awful hip pain that spreads to my thighs then the soles of my feet go numb. Also whenever I have to use my arms I get so breathless, just brushing my hair or hanging out washing wipes me out, my cough has got a lot worse and seems constant.

[Hidden]

Hi birdlove

I would contact your GP for a consultation about your deteriorating symptoms.

I had similar before I got my lung health properly managed.

It could be you have just de conditions and really need some form of PR or home physio to try and get things moving without pain again.

Thing that you could do at home to help keep the joints mobile is beginners qigong, you only need to do the moments that are without strain, so any arm raising for instance, instead of going for 100% lift you go what feel comfortable for you 30%, 50%. People never should do 100% of their range in Qigong any way 70% is absolute max.

I wonder if you might enjoy this routine daily:

Click on title 'Best Qigong' top left of video

youtu.be/ap1h-baLaYg(Not working as expected?)

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this advice.

[Spacecat1]

Hi. Have you spoken to your respertory nurse either at your surgery or the hospital they may be able to advise you. I'm working with my nurse because of coughing so much. Having g a video call on Wednesday to talk thi gs through.

[hillclimber1]

My wife, who has had emphasema for slightly longer had a very similar situation. Ultimately diagnosed as periphery arterial disease they inserted a syentbat the top of her leg and things improved immediately. Her other leg is starting to go the same way now and is under hospital and may have another stent later this year.

[2greys in reply to hillclimber1]

I have the same condition in both legs, exercise (with gritted teeth) reduced the problem but not completely. Not so much a problem nowadays because pausing to catch my breath occurs before the cramp sets in.

[Ozzydiamond]

I went on a pulmonary rehab course just before lockdown and the exercises really helped , both with my breathing and other aches and pains. I stopped doing them and things got worse, so I have restarted them. Maybe a course of pulmonary rehab would help? speaking to your respiratory nurse or doctor would be the best way forward .

[Glen1677]

Pulmonary rehab sounds like a good idea and checks on the circulation probably wouldn't go amiss. As activity levels drop so does muscle strength, stronger muscles use oxygen more efficiently and reduce fatigue. Weaker muscles burn it up more quickly, add in lung problems and it's easy to see how things degenerate quite quickly.

Weaker muscles can also lead to a change in posture during walking, some muscles then compensate and/or work at different angles which can cause discomfort, sensations of numbness and possibly contribute to joint and nerve pain.