Long Post Sorry but advice needed for exercising with copd

[dindy]

Hi All. Only did one post 2 years ago as I was then diagnosed with copd and exercise induced asthma. Touch wood I have not needed to post for advice as had no problems with my copd as again touch wood does not seem to of really got any worse although I do scratch my head sometimes.

I sometimes get out of breath walking up the stairs but not all the time and if I do it is in the evenings. Normal around the house jobs again do not get out of breath unless I start rushing around and put this down sometimes being almost 73 does not help.

As soon as soon I was diagnosed with copd I thought this may beat me in the end but I adopted the attitude “it will not beat me” so I started jogging 3 times a week building up to jogging (slowly) for almost 40 mins without stopping. Yes some times, well most I got out of breath as I ran as fast as my legs would go in between lamp posts every so often. My breathing was getting better and my heart as well because my bpm was coming down for the same amount of exercise and also dropped at least 10 beats in one minute.

I then had had a chest infection which put me out of exercising for around 7 weeks and it was then things started to change. I found I could no longer jog for longer than 5-10 mins without being out of breath and had to stop to catch my breath. At the same time my breathing for other activities was the same, I did not get out of breath and I could not make out why my breathing had changed when jogging.

Two weeks ago while struggling to jog for 3 mins without stopping for breath I noticed my heart rate was sky high, my max for my age is 148 and it was 162. This happened for 3 jogs and I then decided to stop & get advice. I was diagnosed with Afib and given Eliquis apixban & digoxin. No problems so far as early days. I again have adopted the “it will not beat me attitude.

Within 2 days of taking meds I stated to do slow walks, no jogging. Now I walk every day for 2 miles, sometimes slow sometimes a brisk walk which takes me about 40 -50 mins. Now this is where I am confused and do not know what to do. 40-50 mins walking can depending on if I feel tied can raise heart rate so I slow down. At the same time 40-50 mins of walking does not even make me breath hard let alone get me out of breath.

So here is the question? How can I exercise my lungs for copd if I do not even breathe hard when walking? I have tried jogging for about 100 yards to get my lungs working but then my heart beat goes up to my max (148) with from what I understand this is not good for Afib. I seem to be stuck in between the devil and the deep blue sea not knowing what way to turn.

From what I have read the Digoxin slow down heart rate at rest, now at 71 typing this but no good at slowing down heart rate when exercising. Sorry again for long post just cannot seem to epitomise.

I will put similar post on Afib forum but not this one or as long!!!

Thanks

[Hidden]

As far as recommended exercise tolerance for Afib you will need to check that with your doctor.

Lots of posts for Exercise under Topics - I think I already posted the one below before, but will do so again for you - Donna Wilson - lung exercise on you tube. (Click top left of video on words Lung Exercises)

youtu.be/iIrAUL_VmiU(Not working as expected?)

By the way, after lung infection, we decondition quickly so basically we have to start from scratch again to slowly progress the fitness level, it takes time but that is how it is with COPD

[dindy in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Bkin for reply. I will have a look at the video and ask the doctor when I speak to her about exercise tolerance. Just wish it could be in person rather than a phone appointment as useless on the phone as I tend to get tongue tied but for the foreseeable future there are a lot of things we have to get used to with this virus.

Very interesting point about after how we decondition quickly after lung infection especially with copd. You just never stop learning and understanding about your body & copd.

[Hidden in reply to dindy]

The main thing is - any exercise is good, no matter how little you do, you can do 5 mins 3 times daily for 15 mins exercise total 10 mins 3 x daily for 30 mins etc.

After illness we need to recover so we need to take things steady, better to do little and often rather than try to push for 40 mins all in one go, that really is asking a lot of the body lungs after illness.

[Maricopa in reply to dindy]

Write down all of your thoughts & questions on paper before the phone Dr visit. I forget everything!

[SORRELHIPPO]

There might be a specialist Physiotherapist in your area, that your GP could refer you to.

[Myownidea]

Dr. Noah Greenspan at pulmonarywellness.org/ has a wealth of information and free advice. He has helped so many people; I hope you decide to check out his foundation, and I wish you the best of breathing and health.

[Karenanne61]

Could you try other excercise? I can't jog but do classes. I find yoga and pilates good as steady, deep breathing is a big part of these disciplines. I do cough and get very breathless but I pause, get my breath then carry on.

[dindy]

Thank you for all your advice . Breathing exercises seems to be the one thing to incorparate into daily life. Today was what I would call a good exercise day despite the rain. Walked slowly,briskly and when heart rate was down to upper 80`s to mid 90`s a gentle jog.

Only had 2 days where bpm was low so took advantage of it. You just know from the word go if heart rate is going to be high or at a resonable level. Personally I find if after 10 mins walking it stays fairly low,under 100 bpm then it will not go too high as long as I monitor it.

[dindy]

Good point about writing down questions to ask doctor. The times I have had a list of shopping to pick up and left list at home only to forget the most important item to buy.