how far

[Grinninggranny]

I thought I’d share a conversation that I had recently with grumpygrampy. Having been to see the respiratory nurse for a check up followed by the GP for his annual check up then to the hospital for respiratory tests. After this last visit he said why do they always ask “how far can you walk. It’s always the same question, why don’t they ask can you put your socks and shoes on? Because No i bloody can’t😂😂.

[helenlw7]

I agree entirely! I haven’t worn socks and proper shoes for about 2 years because I can’t put them on easily myself. It makes me very breathless if I do achieve it. Instead, I found a pair of the least slipper looking pair of slippers, with proper soles and plain dark blue in colour.

[Donald_1931 in reply to helenlw7]

I gave up on socks a long time ago and wear sandals to go out in. Jesus never wore socks, not that I’m a follower, except in the foot department.

[Aingeful in reply to Donald_1931]

😁xx

[Bevvy in reply to helenlw7]

Have you looked at Sketchers slip on footwear? I wear the trainers and it’s great being you don’t have to bend to put them on.

[helenlw7 in reply to Bevvy]

I can’t wear slip ons - my left foot is a bit useless so I can’t bend my toes - nothing will stay on it.

[Bevvy in reply to helenlw7]

If you could find a shop that sells Sketchers slip ons it could be worth trying. I would be surprised if they fell off. I have paralysed toes on my left foot due to spinal injury but can wear these……. Might be worth a try.

[helenlw7 in reply to Bevvy]

I will have a look, but unbending toes is only part of it. Almost two years ago I collapsed and was on my bathroom floor, totally out of it, for over 24 hours until my daughter found me. I’d been lying on my left side all that time, and the nerve that runs down the outside of my leg was squatting, I have no feeling in my foot and am unable to walk unaided.

[Bevvy in reply to helenlw7]

I think I remember that. Sorry you are still struggling with after affects.

[helenlw7 in reply to Bevvy]

They will always be with me.

[Troilus]

I agree. The questions seem a bit 🧐. Can you walk up a hill without getting breathless- I don’t know, I haven’t walked up any hills lately. If you had to, do you think you could? I could fly up if I had wings if that is any help.

Can you walk up one flight of stairs without getting breathless - I don’t know, I use a stairlift. Do you think you could if you had to? I think I would fall downstairs before I got to the top, that’s why I use the stairlift.

[LissacFrance in reply to Troilus]

My granddaughter was visiting her Granny, age about 90 and followed her up the stairs in the beautifl old Priory where she lived with my sister. You seem a bit out of breath Granny? Yes, I ama bit, but I`ll catch it when I go back down. There was a stairlift which was reserved for carrying clean washing upstairs. Take care, have fun and don`t be afraid to tell the doctors their questions are daft. A quick response tells them far more about your general state than all the forms put together, Chris.

[Alberta56]

Looks like you've stirred up a hornets' nest. My favourite stupid question is 'Do you smoke?' followed by 'Have you ever been a smoker?' Never 'Did you live in London during the smogs? Did you ever live with or work with smokers, go to the cinema or restaurants before smoking was banned or travel on public transport?'

[Aingeful in reply to Alberta56]

Why do you find the smoking question stupid? It can be very relevant to eventual ill health.

[Alberta56 in reply to Aingeful]

I've been asked it so many times, especially when I was being diagnosed. The consultant, every nurse, every technician all asked it. I thought it ought to be in my notes. especially galling since I've been allergic to cigarette smoke for years.

[Troilus in reply to Aingeful]

I find the smoking question stupid also. It is in your medical records wetter you smoke or not - even if you have never smoked - it is one of the records they are supposed to keep about everyone. Ask an x- smoker if they are still a non smoker, ask a smoker if they are still smoking and offer support if they want to stop. Ask if anyone smokes in your house. As for the rest - smoky pubs etc it is a given that people over a certain age will have been exposed to second hand smoke, but that social situation no longer exists and once you have your diagnosis is irrelevant.

[sassy59]

🤣😂 Pete understands even though he just about manages to get his socks and shoes on for now. Makes him breathless though. Xxx

[BenHall1]

Hiya GG,

For ages and ages now I've had problems putting on socks and shoes. A necessity in winter, in summer not a problem so much as I wear sandals. In more recent times I've been awarded the label .... mild (stage 1) COPD ..... which explains much ......... but if I have to wear socks and proper dress shoes the bending over wipes me out. After this process is complete I just have to sit in the chair for a few minutes to get my breathing back in order again.

All that said, my GP has prescribed Easyhaler with Sabutomol and walking exercise. I flatly refuse to walk in the crap weather we've had down 'ere in Cornwall in recent months, but as the weather now seems to be improving I am getting a bit more and plan to increase it. I have even synced my Garmin watch to Strava in order to monitor my progress ... I find that actually quite motivating - but still, putting on walking socks and shoes is still a massive issue.

May the Force be with You.

John

[Badbessie]

I think you need to be proactive when describing problems. If asked a distance question on walking I always add other mobility problems like bending. To be honest the whole assessment for patients which COPD needs revamping.

[Olivia-Dre-123]

Stupid really but yes they say this all of the time as if they were reading from a script, mine said do u have a dog a said yes but my son or daughter takes him on his morning walk,as poorly as I feel am not giving my dog up he is my life and best friend so is this what we have come too if we have a pet ?

[Ergendl]

I find the easiest way to put my socks on is lying on my bed with my feet up in the air.

If you go to shops like Ableworld, they should stock a device to help you get your socks or stockings on.

[Izb1 in reply to Ergendl]

You can buy a sock aid from Amazon , I got one when I had my hip op , they are brilliant x

[Emmilab in reply to Ergendl]

I put my foot up on the dining chair, much easier, as your whole middle body isnt getting squished whilst the other leg is down, you can sort of hang in the middle zone hahahaha

[cathykay]

😂😂😂

[Biker88]

my answer to how far can you walk, is depends on how much charge is in the mobility scooter battery

[Grinninggranny in reply to Biker88]

Love it

[Otto11]

Bless you. It’s just the standard tick list isn’t it. Does get irritating. I recently had a COPD review with a nurse at our surgery ( not that I have COPD luckily but surgery messed up as usual). We continued anyway. She asked how far can you walk. I said from here to the local shops slowly though. She asked well how far is that?” I said well it’s the shops over there pointing in the direction. Her response was well I don’t know how far that is so I will just leave it blank on the care plan !!! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[BenHall1 in reply to Otto11]

I have a Garmin Forerunner 35 smartwatch. I have loaded the Starva App to my smartphone. When I go for a walk I start the 'WALK' bit on my watch and hey ho when I get home my walk is all recorded, map and all, as well as time taken, distance etc. on Strava. So when I go for my review (if I do) I'll just flash my phone Strava graphics. They can do what they want. 😂😂

[Otto11 in reply to BenHall1]

Hi thanks. It was just annoying that she made no effort at all just left it blank. I would find it difficult to wear any of the watch type trackers as I have the smallest wrists ever. they are all way way too big for me. I am looking at getting an app on my phone though.

[Collie4]

I agree.!

[HerLadyship]

Makes you want to go .....AAAAGH!!!!?

[Shirazmataz]

there are gadgets to help put socks on and long handled shoe horns - not sure if you have a biggish Boots department or probably best on line these days to purchase equipment like that.